Florida's Busy

[spud1957]

Decided to head down to Florida the first of January. Somewhat surprised the number of parks are booked. After a couple dozen emails and phone calls we got in a few places.

I didn't want to commit to one place for the whole winter since it's our first winter trip down.

This is what I got.

January - Southern Oaks RV Resort, 5 miles north of The Villages
February - Christmas RV Park, Christmas
March - Orchid Lake RV Resort, New Port Richey

S

[soren]

Parrothead Mike wrote:


Yeah, the Nature Coast is my kind of coast. We are Rock Crusher residents for 4 months starting 12-1. I'm sorry that finding a longer-term stay in that area is so difficult for you. I didn't realize everything is so jammed.

I heard that there was going to be some park expansion in the very near future just north of Crystal River. Possibly Nature Coast Landings RV Resort or maybe it's a different one up that way.

Williston Crossings RV Resort northeast a ways from CR is supposed to be a nice park.

Thanks for the nice response. We weren't planning on staying at RC, We have been there a few tines and it's beautiful! We were in the Crystal River area for a few days, then off to Brooksville, where we spent a few months. We spent a season in Williston, and it beautiful, and has lots of nice folks, but some real oddness. First, there can be an attitude in the office that is aggressively nasty, and was the result of one individual in management, who should be nowhere near other people, much less in customer service. Second, there is a strange, and questionable practice of "volunteers" putting in hundreds of hours of unpaid work. We watched men work like dogs on all kinds of improvement work, and basic park maintenance for zero compensation. They were bored, and had deluded themselves that it is for the good of the residents, and keeps costs down.

[Parrothead_Mike]

soren wrote:
Parrothead, We have the exact same experience. We first did Fl. in 2013. We hopped around the Nature Coast area, and even in Jan & Feb. had no issues finding places.The next two years of brutal winters in the northeast, and improvements in the economy, certainly changed the scene since then. Last year we stopped at Rock Crusher for a few days and asked how next year looked? They laughed and said, booked solid, with a waiting list too long to add names to. We checked that general area and looked at a few CGs at the request of friends who were curious about specific parks. Several places were dumps that I wouldn't of stayed at for free, but were booked for the next year, and were only taking long commitments, like 4-6 months.

Yeah, the Nature Coast is my kind of coast. We are Rock Crusher residents for 4 months starting 12-1. I'm sorry that finding a longer-term stay in that area is so difficult for you. I didn't realize everything is so jammed.

I heard that there was going to be some park expansion in the very near future just north of Crystal River. Possibly Nature Coast Landings RV Resort or maybe it's a different one up that way.

Williston Crossings RV Resort northeast a ways from CR is supposed to be a nice park.

[tjfogelberg]

Am exploring Florida for the first time...this is apparently the “pre-season” as sites are easy to come by and parks aren’t full. It’ll be a few years before we retire and turn into snowbirds but it is fun to get a taste of it. Current location is a park one could spend all winter in and walk or bike to the stores and restaurants and avoid the traffic. An annual site is $7,200! It is 50 degrees warmer here compared to Minnesota...that is why I am here.

[jplante4]

We have friends and relatives in central Florida, so when we go back we'll probably spend a week or 2 there. Also, I missed a launch from Canaveral by a week (made reservations in October for December so I was playing the lottery anyway) but we discovered Jetty Park so I'm not complaining. I would still like to see a launch and tour Rocket Town.

No interest in the I-95 southern corridor. Maybe Blue Water Key once just for the experience but if we spend any time in Florida at all, it will be in the Panhandle.

Next extended trip will be west coast in the spring.

[soren]

Parrothead, We have the exact same experience. We first did Fl. in 2013. We hopped around the Nature Coast area, and even in Jan & Feb. had no issues finding places.The next two years of brutal winters in the northeast, and improvements in the economy, certainly changed the scene since then. Last year we stopped at Rock Crusher for a few days and asked how next year looked? They laughed and said, booked solid, with a waiting list too long to add names to. We checked that general area and looked at a few CGs at the request of friends who were curious about specific parks. Several places were dumps that I wouldn't of stayed at for free, but were booked for the next year, and were only taking long commitments, like 4-6 months.

[Dog_Trainer]

There is much to like about Florida for some and some to dislike for others. As mentioned many parts of Florida have seen big changes in traffic and attitude. On the other hand some places have stayed the same. Many people look to Florida for the beaches and the warm days and mights. You will find those areas to be full snd for me uncomfortable. I am a north central Florida fan and we find much of old Florida still intact on the nature coast. Of coarse to each his own. I find the Sothwest US not my cup of tea while many winter and travel there and wonder what I am talking about.
In any event it is always good to have your plans secured as far ahead as possible.

[joebedford]

Parrothead Mike wrote:
Hey, with climate change maybe the middle third of FL will become warmer. 🙂

... and it will be on the coast.

[Parrothead_Mike]

Our first trip to FL was in 2013 and we went pretty much without reservations and that was for February & March. Didn't have any problems finding a place to stay and even extended our stay in a couple of places.

I think the recession slowed down the flocking to warm areas a bit. The past couple of years has seen a resurgence in snowbirding. We settled in a park 3 years ago and while there are some vacancies they are getting few and far between. Fewer and fewer vacancies for reserving the next year out.

Hey, with climate change maybe the middle third of FL will become warmer. 🙂 We prefer less traffic north of Tampa over the crowded areas in the south. There's plenty of warm weather and when it's a bit chilly it's nothing compared to shoveling snow back in Michigan. Maybe that's why we have so many Michiganders and Canadians in Crystal River.

[jplante4]

I certainly agree about the busy part. Years go we would visit the in-laws in Sun City Center, just south of Tampa. Our first trip back to the area after a number of years was 2 years ago and the increase in population was evident. New developments going up everywhere.

On that same trip we stayed in the W. Palm area to spend Thanksgiving with my brother. Spent most of the time waiting to turn left. No thanks. All yours Spud.

[John_Joey]

spud1957 wrote:

John&Joey wrote:
You just struck the nerve to the reason we don't go to Florida anymore. We had the privilege of knowing old Florida before the sudden boom of retired people coming down along the east coast. For us Florida has been spoiled forever.

Since hurricane Irma hasn't scared the newbie's away, I'm guessing that Florida will just keep getting overrun with people. It's no longer our cup of tea.

To each his own.

Perhaps I was able to get the sites I did because you no longer come. For that I thank you.:)

That's only the very first step of the busy. And yes, you're very welcome to have my old spot. Enjoy the new Florida.

[jplante4]

We stayed at Southern Oaks while visiting relatives in The Villages. Nice little place. Camping World right next door has a weekly special on propane. The seasonals always have something going on (poker etc) and welcome the transients.

Really big weekend flea market a few miles north on 441.

If you want to find a taste of what Florida used to be, head out the Panhandle on US98.

[spud1957]

John&Joey wrote:
You just struck the nerve to the reason we don't go to Florida anymore. We had the privilege of knowing old Florida before the sudden boom of retired people coming down along the east coast. For us Florida has been spoiled forever.

Since hurricane Irma hasn't scared the newbie's away, I'm guessing that Florida will just keep getting overrun with people. It's no longer our cup of tea.

To each his own.

Perhaps I was able to get the sites I did because you no longer come. For that I thank you.:)

[NanciL]

John&Joey wrote:
You just struck the nerve to the reason we don't go to Florida anymore. We had the privilege of knowing old Florida before the sudden boom of retired people coming down along the east coast. For us Florida has been spoiled forever.

Since hurricane Irma hasn't scared the newbie's away, I'm guessing that Florida will just keep getting overrun with people. It's no longer our cup of tea.

"Old Florida" is still there. You just have to know where to go to find it.

Jack L (Who has been enjoying south Florida for the past forty years)

[John_Joey]

You just struck the nerve to the reason we don't go to Florida anymore. We had the privilege of knowing old Florida before the sudden boom of retired people coming down along the east coast. For us Florida has been spoiled forever.

Since hurricane Irma hasn't scared the newbie's away, I'm guessing that Florida will just keep getting overrun with people. It's no longer our cup of tea.

[Triker33]

Decided to head down to Florida the first of January. Somewhat surprised the number of parks are booked.

No surprise as it has been that way for years.
If you find a place you like. Make a reservation for Jan. 2019 before you leave. That is what many do.