Alternatives to South Florida in Winter

[RetSgt7114]

We are interested in alternative destinations to South Florida in the winter. It is just becoming way too crowded and expensive down here. Between the influx of people from the Northern United States and Canada, and the unchecked immigration from South America, the Caribbean, etc., South Florida has become less attractive for us. The roads have become parking lots and forget about getting into anywhere, like restaurants, without a long wait, and forget about the beaches too. Then again, it also could be that we've come here too often and the novelty just wore out. I don't know.

Anyway, I know that Texas is popular, as well as Arizona and the Desert Southwest, but how do these areas compare weather-wise? Also, are they very crowded? We're looking for somewhere with some elbow room and where the weather is warm, but elbow room is more important. What about New Mexico. I don't hear too many people talk about that state. Anyone have any knowledge?

Obviously, I'm just fishing for information at this time, but we really do want to get out of South Florida.

[LynnandCarol]

Rockport, TX! It has gotten cold in the St. Louis area where we are at and we will be heading there via Gulfport, MS next week! Come on down:)

[AliCat]

We have wintered in Wauchula, FL, for the past eight years. Wauchula is the county seat of Hardee County and still pretty much undiscovered. For those wondering where Wauchula is, it is located about 25 miles west of Sebring. We stay at Crystal Lake Village and are only a mile from a Super WalMart. There are many other stores in town. During all these years we have been treated well when we shop, go to restaurants, etc. We are only an hour or so from Tampa, Fort Myers, Disney and more. The weather is great here and the prices are very reasonable. We visit the coast (west) while we are there and always say we are glad we do not have to put up with that traffic all the time. So, there are still some warm places in FL that welcome snowbirds and are reasonably priced. If you play golf there are fewer places to play that will be cheaper than this general area. It isn't for everyone but of you want a quiet, slower paced, less expensive area check out this part of FL.

[thecampingman]

Going west out of Brownsville it's low and flat until you get to Rio Grande City where hill country begins. New Mexico has more elevation giving cooler nights. Then you drop down into Arizona where nights are warmer.
It's a great journey. Enjoy it.

[covetsthesun]

Sigh. I am a 5th generation "native Floridian". My Dad's side homesteaded on the Atlantic side and my Mom's were Miami.

I have lived in many other states...and am now back in FL...again. When DH retires we are outta here. I've been up since 4:30am and have been listening to the sound of construction as another gorgeous cyprus wetland is destroyed to build poor quality, overpriced homes for the unwary northerners who don't have a clue that they are going to flood.

FL survives on tourism. I have to agree with Naples and a few others... the rudeness is over the top in some areas. I spoke with a snowbird the other day at lunch..she didn't know I was a native... the attitudes toward locals is pretty negative. I've heard the service people referred to as "bubbajoes" and FL referred to as "FloriDUH". Ignorance is everywhere and FL doesn't have a lock on it.

Met an old lady with a fruit stand in Alabama a few years ago... she and her family left Orlando years ago... "because that Disney fella was goin' to ruin everything".

Seeing the destruction of so much beauty is painful to me. To find it...requires some driving to get away from the larger cities.

Naples used to be a lovely place...old money people were gracious and had manners. The kids... not.

Anyway... if you are looking for less congested, nicer folks... the panhandle is beautiful but cooler. Gulf coast Alabama is nice and the people friendly. The Atlantic coast from Titusville north to Jacksonville is reasonable... but can get really cold sometimes.

The National Seashore in Titusville is pretty. It's more of a wild beach. Venice has a nice beach... and Sharkey's on The Pier has great burgers and the sunsets are wonderful.

Nuff rambling.

cts

[az99]

We went to SW Fla. this year in late April to look at the area and get a preview of next years snowbird location. I can't even imagine how bad the traffic must be in Jan.-March when it is busy.

[Dog_Folks]

TugCE wrote:
I lived in Naples, FL for almost 15 years until I moved to Leesburg in 2003. In the time I lived there I saw the attitude of the people there change. Naples used to be where the rich could go and not have to act rich. Now that these people are gone and their children are now enjoying the money that Mom and Dad made and like acting rich. When my now wife and I were dating we were looking for a sticks and bricks in Naples, we almost bought one but did not. When people ask me what Naples is like I always say the same thing, if you send you child to school with LAST Years Corvette there must be money problems at home and they are now able to receive FREE Lunch at school.

So many of my friends have moved out of there because of the attitudes and it is really a shame as it is a beautiful place to live.

Thanks for posting, I was starting to think I was the only one. Regarding the wealthy. I owned a service business and worked with many, many, ultra-wealthy people.

The "old" money, (they made the money themselves) were usually very gracious and knew how to handle themselves, and their money.

The problem came in with the younger ones that did NOT make the money, but rather were given it. They were BORN on third base, but they thought they hit a triple!

Now after 35 years, I am retired, and glad of it. Naples is not the paradise it was in the 60's.

[s_N_s]

We spend our winters in Zephyrhills and love it. We are inland but that doesn't bother us. The weather has been good, sure you'll have a few cool to cold nights but nothing like we would put up with if we stayed home in MI. The town is small enough but has many ammentities and is a short ride to Wesley Chappel, Lakeland etc. Traffic isn't that bad and the people are very friendly. We're I a great park and with all that goes on there it's more then enough to keep us busy. Had thoughts of maybe trying Texas (RGV) area but I think we'll just stay put. JMHO.

[TugCE]

I lived in Naples, FL for almost 15 years until I moved to Leesburg in 2003. In the time I lived there I saw the attitude of the people there change. Naples used to be where the rich could go and not have to act rich. Now that these people are gone and their children are now enjoying the money that Mom and Dad made and like acting rich. When my now wife and I were dating we were looking for a sticks and bricks in Naples, we almost bought one but did not. When people ask me what Naples is like I always say the same thing, if you send you child to school with LAST Years Corvette there must be money problems at home and they are now able to receive FREE Lunch at school.

So many of my friends have moved out of there because of the attitudes and it is really a shame as it is a beautiful place to live.

[Dog_Folks]

"Who cares if someone is rude or not!! I don't go camping to make friends."

I care because for 35 years I had to out up with rude people in business!!

The discussion here is about towns and areas, not camping. In seven years of full time camping, I have met only one ONE person I would consider rude. Campers are special.

We don't camp to make friends either.

[michelb]

Florida has a lot of drawbacks (higher cost, traffic, crowded, etc) but if you want 'summer like' weather in the winter, I don't think there's anywhere in the continental US compares.

[BillB800si]

Dog Folks.

..................

Who cares if someone is rude or not!! I don't go camping to make friends. If we make friends that's just "frosting on the cake". I don't allow someone's rudeness to spoil my camping trips.
Besides, we've met rude people in every State. And believe me we've been to most of the States and all of Mid- Eastern Canada.
Happy trails,

[TomG2]

Thirty years ago, I looked at the map and realized that South Central Florida had the same weather as either coast. Much more rural and friendly and an hour away from the beaches. I now go to Texas because of the cheap prices, but miss the many attractions and activities of South Florida.

[Clay_L]

We spent part of two winters in FL - the Orlando area - when we first started full timing. We enjoyed it to some degree but the traffic was too much. I had just spent 18 years driving in and around Boston and points north so I could handle traffic. But I decided that being retired I wanted to be somewhere I didn't have to mess with traffic jams.
Also many of the local drivers seemed have it in for out of town drivers. And no I wasn't driving slow or doing stupid things.
I toned my driving way down from the aggressive Boston style so that wasn't the issue. If the speed limit was 45 and I was doing say 55 to keep up with traffic some of them would still run right up on my rear and tailgate.

We spent a couple of winters in the RGV (Port Isabel). We enjoyed it but we didn't care for the wind and the area was busier than we liked.

For the last several years we have spent the winter in a small AZ town 25 miles or so from Quartzsite and about the same from Parker. You can have a lot of traffic in Quartzsite for a few days during the RV show but it isn't bad the rest of the time. It's not a perfect solution but it suits us well enough that we keep going back.

[Dog_Folks]

fchammer1 wrote:
Some smaller towns in SW Florida like Estero and Bonita Springs offer better hospitality than the more crowded Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Naples. I also get good reports about Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.

You are right, to a point. The problem is that the bigger town attitude spills over to the towns mentioned.

[fchammer1]

Some smaller towns in SW Florida like Estero and Bonita Springs offer better hospitality than the more crowded Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Naples. I also get good reports about Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.