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.

[ALBQ]

Well with all the sink holes popping up (or down as it may be) pretty soon Florida will be a mute question:R

[RVUSA]

Klueck wrote:
I know what you mean about Florida, but it seams you can't beat the weather. I've heard a lot about wind in Texas and Arizona and that discourages me. We love the Keys in the winter, but it's very expensive.

We're currently in the north Georgia mountains and are heading back to Florida.

North Florida isn't nearly as warm, but a lot of people love it.

You can get blown out in the keys too, if it helps console you. I've see 4 foot seas on the gulf side and with nothing else to do, you end up cutting a lot of bait.

Az. (Phx.) isnt that bad for wind. It's not blowing all the time and it moves thru within a couple days. Some people remember the worst minute of the worst day, and that frames their experience.

[RVUSA]

G and D wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

RVUSA wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
We've tried them all, including Florida - which is on the 'no' list.

Bite me. :B

Well now, that is constructive. So happy you posted.

Hmmmmm Must be one of them Florida fellows weve been reading about

Double bite me. :B

[BarneyS]

az99 wrote:

AliCat wrote:
We have wintered in Wauchula, FL, for the past eight years. We stay at Crystal Lake Village and are only a mile from a Super WalMart.

Is it a mobile home park? RV Park reviews has nothing. Looking at it on Google Earth looks like almost all permanent structures.
Thanx

We stayed at Crystal Lake Village for three months several years ago. It is a very clean and pleasant park with lots of activities. They have a very nice clubhouse with fitness equipment, beautiful pool, WiFi, and dinners and dances. Their rates are pretty good considering what they offer and where the location is.

The sites are close together but nearly all have concrete patios. Most of the sites are permanent with many park model trailers but have RV sites interspersed in between them. The sites are nice but close.

The area is right in the middle of fruit orchards. You drive/bike out the main gate, which is electrically operated for which you get a transmitter, turn left and you are immediately in an orange grove.
As mentioned there are are plenty of stores in which to shop and you are in central Florida so it is not a really long drive to either coast. One of the best things about the area is the lack of heavy traffic.

We enjoyed our stay there but have since moved back to our normal winter stay location at MacDill AFB in Tampa.
Hope this helps you a bit.
Barney

[hipower]

We've spent the past two winters in Lady Lake, FL and found it to be acceptable weatherwise. With the Villages growing like crazy it has gotten quite busy at times, but family nearby keeps us coming back for now. Before Christmas and after April 1 it is completely different. Traffic is reduced by about 50% and all of the restaurants are begging for patrons.

We have friends who winter a little further south but still in the central parts of the state and would find Eustis, Zephyr Hills or maybe Sebring a good alternative to where we are now.

[Klueck]

I know what you mean about Florida, but it seams you can't beat the weather. I've heard a lot about wind in Texas and Arizona and that discourages me. We love the Keys in the winter, but it's very expensive.

We're currently in the north Georgia mountains and are heading back to Florida.

North Florida isn't nearly as warm, but a lot of people love it.

[AliCat]

az99 wrote:

AliCat wrote:
We have wintered in Wauchula, FL, for the past eight years. We stay at Crystal Lake Village and are only a mile from a Super WalMart.

Is it a mobile home park? RV Park reviews has nothing. Looking at it on Google Earth looks like almost all permanent structures.
Thanx

Crystal Lake Village is 80 to 90% permanent sites. The rest are RV sites. Most of those have concrete pads and patios.

[G_and_D]

Dog Folks wrote:

RVUSA wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
We've tried them all, including Florida - which is on the 'no' list.

Bite me. :B

Well now, that is constructive. So happy you posted.

Hmmmmm Must be one of them Florida fellows weve been reading about

[Louba]

AliCat,

We may see you down there in January. We had a reservation for last January at Crystal Lake Village and had to bump it forward a year. If plans work out this year we'll be showing up there Jan 1.

Lou

[Dog_Folks]

RVUSA wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
We've tried them all, including Florida - which is on the 'no' list.

Bite me. :B

Well now, that is constructive. So happy you posted.

[az99]

AliCat wrote:
We have wintered in Wauchula, FL, for the past eight years. We stay at Crystal Lake Village and are only a mile from a Super WalMart.

Is it a mobile home park? RV Park reviews has nothing. Looking at it on Google Earth looks like almost all permanent structures.
Thanx

[RVUSA]

2gypsies wrote:
We've tried them all, including Florida - which is on the 'no' list.

Bite me. :B

[2gypsies1]

Basically, there is no perfect place - even your rains in Portland don't appeal to us. 🙂 If you're looking for warmth, New Mexico is too cold for the winter months - even the southern part.

We love Arizona for the winter months - any place from Phoenix and southward. Don't try for the northern part - snow and cold. In Arizona you really have to pay attention to elevation and don't go above 4,000' in winter - 2,000' is ideal. The far eastern side of the Phoenix Metro area is very nice - around Apache Junction. The Tucson area is terrific for hiking and warm days - lots to do in the area. Casa Grande gets a lot of dust storms because of the farming so I wouldn't recommend it. Yuma is the warmest and many snowbirds go there.

Texas - around Rockport is nice but they can get rain, cold and wind.

Gulf Shores, Alabama is also great - nice beach, good restaurants but it can be on the cool side with warm days.

Hope you find your spot! We've tried them all, including Florida - which is on the 'no' list.

[Bea_PA]

Every third year, we stay in Mission TX, we found the coast in as far as Harlingen is way too windy. The other 2 years we are in the Haines City, Winter Haven area. Usually about 4 degrees cooler than Ft Myers but usually in the 70's in Jan and Feb and much to do in the area. Have not encountered rudeness other than the "red light runners" seems they have migrated to all the states.