New to this. Best weather in winter??? Help?

[readytogo94]

My husband is 1 year or so from retiring and we're off after that. We are trying to gather all the info we can to decide where to stay in the winter. We live in Wisconsin and it sure isn't going to be there!

We do plain to travel, but we also are going to be on two social security checks and that's it so we have to be frugal. Although we will take advantage of boondocking, we do want to stay at one park long term once we get t here...and drive around in our car. We are planning to buy a used Class A motorhome...hubby is a mechanic and very handy. We'll have time to fix it up before we hit the road.

So far we have looked into the SW, mainly Arizona. I'm kind of thinking maybe Florida has nicer winter weather, more parks to choose from, and more to do...and I love that ocean. It will be a hard cell to hubs, but with more info...maybe.

Where have you found the best winter weather, the most to do, the nicest people and cheap campsites...all we need is basic hook ups, not a resort. We like the long term rates and will definitely join a club.

If anyone has ANYTHING that will help us decide where to go, please speak up. Every place is an option. We are getting rid of our apartment and will be free to travel. In the summer, we will RV camp out here in Wisconsin by family and, hey, our summers here are cool too.

In the meantime, no opinion is a useless opinion, good or bad. I am very social and am liking the idea of volunteering or working. Both of us are most comfy with down home people who are non-materialistic. We love animals and will be bringing our two mutts.

Thanks in advance for any/all responses.


Pam

[LynnandCarol]

Google the Rockport, TX and Port Aransas areas! Very resonable for long term Winter Stays and the weather generally is very acceptable, there may times you may have to wear a light jacket as stroll the beaches. After the holidays we lots of WI license plates here. We even have a neighbor that is from WI and keeps their RV here for stays during the winter. However, it has become extremely popular, so would not wait to long for reservations! Our RV Park is already reserved up for the winter months.

[pennysmom09]

We've done Tucson and Florida. You can get cold spells in both places. Personally we found the lack of humidity in Arizona problematic and prefer a little humidity. The winter humidity in Florida is moderate, and we prefer the green lushness of Florida over the desert environment. We winter in south central Florida in the lake areas and love it. Lots to do and all shopping, restaurants closeby.
Admittedly it is much more expensive than Tucson! I guess you'll have to give both a try and see what works for you.

[Busskipper]

2gypsies wrote:
Bisbee, AZ gets cold in winter and sometimes snow. :E

However, you might want to look into joining the Escapees RV Club which is a great organization for full-timers. If you go to their Benson, AZ park you can stay a week with full hookups for $50. While there you can check out the area, including Bisbee 🙂 and Tombstone.

http://skpsaguaro.org/special-offers.html

Actually, it's cooler in Benson in winter than other Arizona places but you'll have sunny days. Bisbee is higher elevation but a terrific little town.

You mentioned you're anxious to go through Wyoming on your way south... you really don't want to do that in winter with a RV. From Wisconsin head directly south. Don't get on any east/west interstates higher than I-10 in winter. Stay down along the southern states.

I'd also recommend moving around your first winter to different areas or different states. It would be a shame to pay for the whole season somewhere and find out you really don't like it. Test them out. Everyone is different in likes.

You might try Gulf State Park at Gulf Shores, Alabama. Temps aren't as warm as the deep south of Florida but they are nice. At this state park snowbirders can spend the whole winter, not the typical 2-weeks. The beach is awesome and the town and surrounding area has anything you might want, including awesome fresh shrimp off the boats.

Florida to us is buggy with humidity. Naturally, many folks like it.

South Texas down around McAllen can be very windy and humidity.

California is expensive.

New Mexico is higher elevation than Arizona - even in the southern part it can be cold and windy. We tried it but had to leave after a month.

We love Arizona for the winter. As mentioned above, the Benson Escapees park is nice and very reasonable. It will be full of friendly full-timers, has a very active clubhouse and the campsites are large and landscaped.

Other good areas for winter in Arizona are Tucson, the greater Phoenix area, including Apache Junction, and Yuma. Yuma would be the warmest. You don't want to get any further north than Phoenix except perhaps along the Colorado River up to Havasu City.

Quartzsite, AZ in January and February is very popular for boondocking in the desert although there are some RV parks, too.

Lots of good advise here.

First time - the idea to try a few out is really smart - need to find what you enjoy - along with finding people you will share interest in doing things.

Remember you are coming from Wisconsin and all of the choices will be GOOD as long as they are in the South, and weather is the main reason for leaving.

Having never given up the Sticks and Bricks - and only doing the winter a few years in the Coach we found Florida just too sticky - Arizona just too far from everything and the Hill Country of Texas as a nice mix of the two - not too Hot not too Cold .... just right.

So take your time, weigh your options, try a few different places and enjoy the first winter just feeling your way.

Best of Luck,

[readytogo94]

True. Thanks!

[2gypsies1]

Bisbee, AZ gets cold in winter and sometimes snow. :E

However, you might want to look into joining the Escapees RV Club which is a great organization for full-timers. If you go to their Benson, AZ park you can stay a week with full hookups for $50. While there you can check out the area, including Bisbee 🙂 and Tombstone.

http://skpsaguaro.org/special-offers.html

Actually, it's cooler in Benson in winter than other Arizona places but you'll have sunny days. Bisbee is higher elevation but a terrific little town.

You mentioned you're anxious to go through Wyoming on your way south... you really don't want to do that in winter with a RV. From Wisconsin head directly south. Don't get on any east/west interstates higher than I-10 in winter. Stay down along the southern states.

I'd also recommend moving around your first winter to different areas or different states. It would be a shame to pay for the whole season somewhere and find out you really don't like it. Test them out. Everyone is different in likes.

You might try Gulf State Park at Gulf Shores, Alabama. Temps aren't as warm as the deep south of Florida but they are nice. At this state park snowbirders can spend the whole winter, not the typical 2-weeks. The beach is awesome and the town and surrounding area has anything you might want, including awesome fresh shrimp off the boats.

Florida to us is buggy with humidity. Naturally, many folks like it.

South Texas down around McAllen can be very windy and humidity.

California is expensive.

New Mexico is higher elevation than Arizona - even in the southern part it can be cold and windy. We tried it but had to leave after a month.

We love Arizona for the winter. As mentioned above, the Benson Escapees park is nice and very reasonable. It will be full of friendly full-timers, has a very active clubhouse and the campsites are large and landscaped.

Other good areas for winter in Arizona are Tucson, the greater Phoenix area, including Apache Junction, and Yuma. Yuma would be the warmest. You don't want to get any further north than Phoenix except perhaps along the Colorado River up to Havasu City.

Quartzsite, AZ in January and February is very popular for boondocking in the desert although there are some RV parks, too.

[SDcampowneroper]

If you are into inexpensive, and fun, look a bit away from the prime places. Theres a camp 9 mi. east of Bisbee, az., that may just what you are looking for.
Its Double Adobe rv , that offers skeet and trap shooting ranges . for free. We were very comfortable and welcomed there, no notion of exclusivity we have experienced in many other warm weather 'retirement' parks.
Wifi, Phone was very good in 2013, access to shopping within 15 minutes drive.

[Trackrig]

Not that you have to stay in them all of the time but if he's retired military, then you should be looking at the military camp grounds. I hear a lot of them are very nice and very reasonably priced.

Bill

[Bob_Shaw]

Personally, I like south central Florida. There are a number of parks with seasonal sites in the $250 - $300 range. I stay in one called Lake Letta Rv Park, and it's just east of Sebring. Nothing fancy just a nice small place to winter and a lot of nice folks there. From what I've seen, there are a number of parks in that price range, but if you want to spend more, there are those parks too. Lots of orange groves lakes and cattle ranches and close to shopping. We might get one or two nights with frost, but I only had to cover my tomato plants once last winter. I liked the park so much, I bought a park model trailer there. It may be a little more expensive than BLM camping in the SW, but you're not camping in the desert either.

[azdryheat]

We live in Tucson and the winters here are great. Last February we towed the trailer to the Tampa FL area and it was great there, too. Not much to do in AZ. I much prefer FL. Parks are full in both locations so reserve ahead of time.

[Dick_B]

I think it is safe to say that if you are on a budget Florida is NOT the place to spend the winter.

[soos]

Check out Yuma, Tucson, and phoenix areas. Relatively inexpensive winter rates, tons to do, no humidity, and the weather is reasonably warm. With all the sunshine it feels warmer than it actually is. Usually no jacket needed except at night. Pools stay open all year, etc.
We did one winter in FL. To be warm you have to be pretty far south, which is pricy, and the bugs and humidity got to us, and the rig,
And if you like hiking, Phoenix and Tucson are awesome!!

[MarkTwain]

readytogo94 wrote:
Thanks all.
I really dont like humidity.
in the SW is there anywhere around 70 most of the time?
I dont mind cool nights.

You will have to look in the higher elevation mountain locations for those kind of tempetures. You probably do not want to be in the Ariz. valley areas in the months from April through Sept. Too hot!!!!
Any particular parks in the SW that are low cost for long termers yet at least clean and friendly?

You might want to consider joining the "Escapees" organization for your needs.

My husband is a vet who likes to target shoot. Both of us love wildlife and hiking and chatting around a fire with nice people. I am interested in California, but husband is leery, I think, of having a gun in CA. Plus guessing the costs are higher there.

RV parks in Calif. are generally higher in price. Look at the RV parks in the Indio, Hemet areas. I avoid the area of southern calif. like a plague. Look for RV parks from Santa Barbara north all the way to the Oregon border. Oregon is great in the spring and summer but too cold and wet for me the rest of the year.

Honestly, my biggest thrill will be stopping in Wyoming on the drive down.I cant wait to be there, but it's too cold to stay.

Get yourself a Weather Radio so you can be prepared for bad weather, i.e. snow, storms and strong winds.

What state do you folks declare residence?
South Dakota is suppose to have low resident prices

I am overwhelmed by the responses. RVers must be super friendly people. I like that so much. Hope most like animals too.

[TxGearhead]

I would think Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and south Texas would be cheaper than Florida, and California for sure. Probably a bit cooler and wetter than Florida and I assume Arizona. I got pretty cool in Laredo a couple times. Beach is relatively close and South Padre Island. Day trip to San Antonio for shopping and the best Mexican food. Mexico is close for shopping. Texas is for sure gun friendly. I would try all these areas. Nobody says you have to pick just one.

[MarkTwain]

Go to "Good Sam RV parks" application. Start searching in a variety of areas. Make 75 mile circles in a variety of areas and start looking for RV parks that best meet your needs $$$$. Phoenix and Tucson general have parks/resorts that are higher priced. Look in small rural little towns. RV parks in Yuma are general more economical than the rest of Ariz. I would make a list of as many little rural towns you can find and do your searching with Good Sam RV to start doing your comparisons. Stay away from RV parks that have the word "Resort".

[pawatt]

Don't forget to checkout the Rio Grande Valley of Texas about 500 parks to chose from.