Nice, cheap, clean, full time(at least monthy) RV parks...

[CarArt]

I'm going to spell this out clearly so if it seems a little lengthy, please forgive me. Specifics for specific answers. Maybe some of you can relate and are looking for the same.
A little history:
When I bought my RV several years ago(let's see, yes, about 1 month before the last "crash" hit, lucky me), I was working as an automotive photog(35 years a pro commercial photog) shooting for many of the very best car and truck magazines, tire and wheel companies, traveling(by plane)all over the country. Sometimes I'd hit 3-4 cities a month. I was 62, thought I had a decade or so of creativity/productivity left, and I was looking for a different way of life and a way to slide into semi retirement. I realized that if I bought an RV(just happened to attend an RV show, I'd never previously considered it), I could do my work, travel by the Seasons, and shoot all over the country, letting Editors, clients know where I was located. It seemed like Heaven and a great way for me to spend the "Golden Years" of my long career and life. So I bought a nice Dodge Diesel, a 32' fifth wheel, decked it out to fit my needs, both personal and business, taste, long term travel/living goals, and hit the road.
Well, after a just few short weeks of bliss, the recession hit, diesel fuel soared to well over $5 a gal, several of my most "valued" clients went under... and I began a long, spiraling downward fall into health issues hell. By the spring of 2011, I'd lost nearly 60pds(to 130), and ended up having a large section of my colon removed. All this drained me in every way you can imagine. My dreams of travel and independence became a nightmare of reality.
Moving forward....
Now, I'm pretty much retired and not so much by choice, and living on a fixed income, and although facing some continuing health issues... recovering. After much RV travel(20,000 miles or so), I've learned much about RVing. While I still love my RV, it's where you park it that's always the issue. Noisy, crowded parks are not my thing. Mega Parks either. Private lots who's owners are looking for a little extra income are the BEST but very hard to find the right fit. So... I'm hoping in all of the millions of miles my fellow RV owners have traveled here, they can suggest some "Diamonds in the Ruff" of RV parks. I've found several(they do exist), clean, quiet, large lots, and very reasonable(some less than/or just over $300 a month).
Here's my list, if you can help please do.

1. A southern climate. I'm ok with a few freezing nights, but hey, I'm in an RV. MI(my home state as a kid) is out of the question. I'm thinking, AR(Eureka Springs area?), AL, LA, GA, FL, SC, NC, TN, KY, MO(Branson??), etc.
2. Quiet. I'm fine with the weekenders, summer throngs, but overall... quiet. Respect for privacy.
3. Clean, I'm not looking to live in "clutter", in parks that seem to have no rules and fulfill the "RV park trash" definition.
4. Large lots. Not looking to hear all of my neighbors every word. Doesn't need to be "spacious", just comfy.
5. Basic amenities. Water, minimum 30amp, perfer 50, sewer hookup
6. Cable if possible but over air tv if not. I can do satelite.
7. Internet a near must. I intend on continuing to work some and this is my connection to my clients
8. within.... 10 miles of decent grocery, clothing, supplies stores. Closer is better.
9. As scenic as possible.

It would be my intention, desire, to move around some. Stay for a few months, go to another...

Now, I'm sure some are rolling their eyes, making some noises. Laughing either out loud or under their breath thinking, "he's dreaming". BUT my pessimistic fellow travelers, they DO exist. I've stayed in a few. One in Louisiana, one in Alabama, so I know they're out there. How about we start a list? Share our wealth of knowledge? Must fit the criteria, no dumps, and within range of civilization(no boondocking). Rent less than... $350, $400? In the US please.

Thanks for your time and I'd really appreciate any sincere suggestions. I'm sure many of us are looking for the same thing.

Carl
carledwardsphotography.com

[NJRVer]

Try Crossroads RV park in Roanoke Rapids, NC.
Very new park, so it has all modern utility hookups.
Serious health issue comes up, you can be at Duke University Hospital in about 1 hr drive.
As mentioned by somebody else in NC, the dead of winter it gets cold, but we have been down there in mid-Feb and it was a lot nicer than mid-Feb. in NJ!

[CarArt]

SDcampowneroperator, yes, you're/we're absolutely right. A private lot is the ticket. I'm on a 5 acre lot in So Cal at the foot of the mountain side, over looking a lake now and if not for the chickens next door("visitors" from Mexico can't seem to live without them), it would be just right(nothing quite like hearing a screaming animals all day long). Hard to find though with utilities, especially sewer. I had to run 200 ft of 4 gauge(4 wires, $$) to have sufficient electric for So Cal summers another 200 of cat6 for internet. It really would be my choice as I'm not really into the "social" atmosphere, entertainment amenities required by some. Had more than my share throughout my career.
Boldtning, thanks, I'll check that out though. I like the area.

[SDcampowneroper]

OP, i like your concept. Look away from campgrounds or parks to find your spot.
When I was in industrial construction, in places with little or no rv parks, I was always able to find a spot by a farmers barn, even an old abandyioned farmyard. A hunters leased land. Even the visible front for an unfinished housing development.


Ask local realtors, farm supply. the grain elevator. Approach them as if you will be a 'gate guard' ' for their property. Pay some if needed for services for your rv. Everyone wins

[Boldtning]

Take a look at Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park in Crystal River, FL. Looking at your criteria it would meet your needs. We winter there and love the park and the area.

[rockhillmanor]

Heisenberg wrote:
I lived here once.
Where the old Texas Chainsaw Massacre was filmed. It is now semi-city.

Florida's got you beat on that one!

Ma Barker's house in Ocklawaha, Florida is up for sale, comes complete with bullet holes in the walls and bullets still embedded in the furniture! And of course Ma Barkers Bar down the road a piece. :B

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/08/ma-barker-hideout-sale-photos/
http://www.ocala.com/article/20120822/ARTICLES/120829910?p=2&tc=pg

OP: ditto X2 on North Central Florida camping. Took me 2 years to find that hidden gem of Snowbirding. Beautiful scenery, old Florida and the largest fresh water Springs in the country, that you won't find south of there and VERY reasonable CG fees.

[CarArt]

Thank you Eycom and Heisenberg(and many others). Blessing RV Park looks very nice and I'll check out those mentioned by Eycom in FL too. I was a FL resident during college in Daytona and a few years in other areas of FL too.
I knew this was the place to go and once you get past the negative... kindness and useful info comes forth.

[Heisenberg]

I lived here once.
Where the old Texas Chainsaw Massacre was filmed. It is now semi-city.

[Eycom]

You might consider the North Florida area, from the panhandle down to Ocala. There are numerous parks meeting your criteria with monthly rates ranging between $350 and $550. Some include electric, while others are metered. There are still some areas reminiscent of "Old Florida" where the living is easy and the pace is slow. You'll find some "55 & up" parks that are a little quieter as well. One of my stops for a month or two is Half Shell Resort on the St. John's River in Satsuma. There's plenty of shopping, including a Wallyworld, 6-8 miles away. Easy access to St. Augustine, Gainesville (Shands Hospital) and the Ocala National Forest.

You may enjoy FL. so well, that declaring domicile might become a consideration. 16 million others have over the past 65 years.:B There's no State Income Tax, no vehicle inspection and lax residency requirements. With all the old folks down here, there's more doctors than Carter's got liver pills. State residents, age 65, receive half off camping fees at some great State Parks. Should you need a change of scenery when the weather warms up, you can slowly work your way up the Savannah River from GA to SC with your federal "geezer" card visiting a dozen or so C.O.E. parks with good fishing. Just some points to ponder. Good luck.

[rocmoc]

Robin1953 wrote:
I wintered here in southern GA last year at A Big Wheel RV Park. This is about as close to your wish list that I have found in my travels.

We also stay there for a week last winter. Very nice park & people, just beware of the no-see-ums.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[CarArt]

Thanks to fellow members that I'll not mention for the private emails and the parks($350 a month, including utl for one) that you feel fits my criteria. I do appreciate it. Hope you check out the park I mentioned(last I was there, $330 a month incl utl), right on the water. Beautiful with almost all the perks minus cable and interent. Coming I'm told.
Given my experience with my post, I'd be happy to exchange park info, with parks that fit all or nearly all of the criteria I mentioned above, thru private email as several of you have done already. Some really nice looking parks, thanks.
At 65, still a little naive I guess. That's good right?
Carl

[CarArt]

Thanks Robin1953. I appreciate an straight answer among the opinions. And yes to some others, I'm 65, lived in MI, FL, LA, TX, Nor&S Cali, so I'm aware of the weather in the US. I know it snows/gets cold in all 50 states. I assumed most would understand I meant more of an average, not the extremes. And as for "Quiet", if you have a cute little dog you just adore and think his/her barking is "their way of talking and so adorable", I don't want you within a 1/4 mile.
Guess I wasn't as specific as I thought necessary. And yes, I've found several CG's that do fit my all of my criteria but just thought I'd ask some of the others well traveled and perhaps in similar circumstances. It didn't seem like to much to ask when I first had the thought. Forums... brings out the best and... I never understand why some don't just pass a post by. I surely do.

[Heisenberg]

Lake Texhoma has a large variety of State, Federal, and Private parks.

[Bumpyroad]

branson is too crowded and touristy to suit me.
bumpy

[Robin1953]

CarArt wrote:
I'm going to spell this out clearly so if it seems a little lengthy, please forgive me. Specifics for specific answers. Maybe some of you can relate and are looking for the same.
A little history:
When I bought my RV several years ago(let's see, yes, about 1 month before the last "crash" hit, lucky me), I was working as an automotive photog(35 years a pro commercial photog) shooting for many of the very best car and truck magazines, tire and wheel companies, traveling(by plane)all over the country. Sometimes I'd hit 3-4 cities a month. I was 62, thought I had a decade or so of creativity/productivity left, and I was looking for a different way of life and a way to slide into semi retirement. I realized that if I bought an RV(just happened to attend an RV show, I'd never previously considered it), I could do my work, travel by the Seasons, and shoot all over the country, letting Editors, clients know where I was located. It seemed like Heaven and a great way for me to spend the "Golden Years" of my long career and life. So I bought a nice Dodge Diesel, a 32' fifth wheel, decked it out to fit my needs, both personal and business, taste, long term travel/living goals, and hit the road.
Well, after a just few short weeks of bliss, the recession hit, diesel fuel soared to well over $5 a gal, several of my most "valued" clients went under... and I began a long, spiraling downward fall into health issues hell. By the spring of 2011, I'd lost nearly 60pds(to 130), and ended up having a large section of my colon removed. All this drained me in every way you can imagine. My dreams of travel and independence became a nightmare of reality.
Moving forward....
Now, I'm pretty much retired and not so much by choice, and living on a fixed income, and although facing some continuing health issues... recovering. After much RV travel(20,000 miles or so), I've learned much about RVing. While I still love my RV, it's where you park it that's always the issue. Noisy, crowded parks are not my thing. Mega Parks either. Private lots who's owners are looking for a little extra income are the BEST but very hard to find the right fit. So... I'm hoping in all of the millions of miles my fellow RV owners have traveled here, they can suggest some "Diamonds in the Ruff" of RV parks. I've found several(they do exist), clean, quiet, large lots, and very reasonable(some less than/or just over $300 a month).
Here's my list, if you can help please do.

1. A southern climate. I'm ok with a few freezing nights, but hey, I'm in an RV. MI(my home state as a kid) is out of the question. I'm thinking, AR(Eureka Springs area?), AL, LA, GA, FL, SC, NC, TN, KY, MO(Branson??), etc.
2. Quiet. I'm fine with the weekenders, summer throngs, but overall... quiet. Respect for privacy.
3. Clean, I'm not looking to live in "clutter", in parks that seem to have no rules and fulfill the "RV park trash" definition.
4. Large lots. Not looking to hear all of my neighbors every word. Doesn't need to be "spacious", just comfy.
5. Basic amenities. Water, minimum 30amp, perfer 50, sewer hookup
6. Cable if possible but over air tv if not. I can do satelite.
7. Internet a near must. I intend on continuing to work some and this is my connection to my clients
8. within.... 10 miles of decent grocery, clothing, supplies stores. Closer is better.
9. As scenic as possible.

It would be my intention, desire, to move around some. Stay for a few months, go to another...

Now, I'm sure some are rolling their eyes, making some noises. Laughing either out loud or under their breath thinking, "he's dreaming". BUT my pessimistic fellow travelers, they DO exist. I've stayed in a few. One in Louisiana, one in Alabama, so I know they're out there. How about we start a list? Share our wealth of knowledge? Must fit the criteria, no dumps, and within range of civilization(no boondocking). Rent less than... $350, $400? In the US please.


Thanks for your time and I'd really appreciate any sincere suggestions. I'm sure many of us are looking for the same thing.

Carl
carledwardsphotography.com

I wintered here in southern GA last year at A Big Wheel RV Park. This is about as close to your wish list that I have found in my travels.