RV snowbirding or MX or Carribean

[grapestumper]

DW and I recently retired and we are debating wether the RV snowbird lifestyle in the southern states is the way to go or rent or buy a condo apartment in MX or some affordable carribean countries. Beside the obvious attraction to water, beaches, and warmer weather this is somewhat offset by language issues, poverty (increased criminality?), culture, food, etc. We have previously experienced a short two month stint RViing south and spent some holiday time in MX and a Carribean country, however, we are torn. Ideally three winters spent experiencing each one would be great, but unfortunately we do not feel that we have the luxury of time on our side and would not want to waste it.

Are there members out there who have experienced the same dilemma and what were the compelling reasons to choose the RV snowbirding. Would you make the same choice again given the opportunity?

Thx

[fchammer1]

Wherever you eventually land, you will want good neighbors, those like former RVers who are used to looking out for each other and their property. Next, will be the appeal of the area such as; 5 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, rivers to navigate, golf, nearby medical and dental, fine restaurants, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and over 80 activities, and dozens of events. Two rec halls, horseshoes (at least one resident champion!), all the senior sports and then some. A great pool, Tiki hut for picnic. the Imperial River as a border. Check it out at www.imperialbonitaestates.com

[tomman58]

I am 72 years old, retired when i was 59. That said we have been from one end of the US to the other several times (every other year). We enjoy the sites, the casinos, the gulf and the quite of so many great spot. Our advantage is we go when the kids are in school and that opens up lots of spots that are full in the summer.
We currently have our site yearly in central Florida it works, we did AZ and TX before.
We cruise often and have been to many islands and Mexico. We have had fun there but an island is an island you are a captive person at that point. Most places you go in that area are very poverty intense and only the tourist areas are good at night. Just saying.
Bottom line go see your country first!

[joebedford]

DW & I have been RV snowbirding in USA for the last 15 winters. However, for various reasons MX has increasing appeal. However the distance from Ontario is an issue and we travel with cats and motorcycles. Don't know how to get around those 'problems'.

[Thunder_Mountai]

We traveedl extensively throughout the Caribbean. Language was never a problem except in the former French possessions. We though seriously about retiring to Belize. Since it was a British colony, English is the official language. The vast majority of the population are decedents of slaves and are friendly and very open. The islands off shore are more like visiting the US Gulf coast with fast food places and Americanized culture. Lots of Americans own/rent homes outside of Belize City especially north. The country has one of the highest literacy rates in the hemisphere. Their immigration laws are very strict which prevent undocumented workers from holding jobs.

The Bahamas again are a former British colony. But we found the Bahamians not as friendly and prices on everything were extremely high.

We spent many weeks in Cozumel. It was safe and most everybody spoke English. Prices were good. It has been spoiled by the cruise ship crowd. Would mark that off my list of places. We're not in the least bit hispanophobic and speak enough Spanish to get by. But we would avoid Mexico expect perhaps for the areas in Baja. Even that area has been having increased problems.

Criminality is everywhere. We personally never had a problems. As anywhere in the US or elsewhere, situational awareness is the key to safety.

Before jumping into anything, I would do some traveling and lots of research. At this current time, I now would consider a place in Florida. But I still would take a look at Belize.

[edbehnke]

just go to Mazatlan. easier to get there every year.

but yes, we are caught up like you. USA is too cold, everywhere, so mexico or Caribbean is really the answer. The DR, punta cana has some ok place to stay for the winter but you're talking around $3000 a month on the ocean.

[tjfogelberg]

We like all of the snowbird destinations in the USA so are in the process of upgrading our Thousand Trails Zone pass to a lifetime "Elite" contract which will enable us to roam from "park to park". We'll add the "Trails Collection" and have access to a huge number of snowbird (many age restricted) parks in FL, TX, and AZ and a few in CA. We'll fill in with stays at state and national parks, KOA, etc and a few boondocks. This is also very economical, with the exception of the fuel cost which can run up when one wanders. Thousand Trails contracts can be bought on the secondary market through campgroundmembershipoutlets.com. We found one on ebay. I personally am not into the third world country option. I like my USA amenities, modern infrastructure, don't want language or security issues at my age.

[MDKMDK]

Great question.
Some neighbors tried the RV thing and just couldn't get the hang of it, and eventually bought a park model in southwest Florida, instead. Now they fly down and keep transportation down there. They love it.