S.W. Florida filling up.

pawatt wrote:

fchammer1 wrote:
Having experienced both the RGV and SW Florida, I feel qualified to compare the two. First, lay aside two arguments: both have many wonderful restaurants with many wonderful offerings, and both have a plethora of activities and attractions to entice snowbirds. Not much difference there.

Two big differences are the temperatures and the winds. The RGV is colder -- much colder. In the RGV, you're going to go from coats in the mornings to T-shirts in the afternoon -- provided it warms up that particular day. If not, shiver. In Florida, shorts and T's make up the uniform 24/7.

I bike regularly, but never in Florida have I had the RGV experience of wind so strong that my bike and I traveled 1/10 of a mile without pedaling once. It then took me 20 minutes to push my bike back to the starting place. Ugh!

Ever had a cookout & picnic outside in the RGV? Where are the picnic tables? Nope? Not at Tropic Winds in Harlingen! Why? Too windy is the answer. Check the RV awnings in the RGV. Did you ever see so many ways to tie down and secure awnings against the daily winds?

If your idea of an idyllic snowbird experience is enjoying a gentle breeze while sitting under a palm tree with a book in one hand and a cold drink in the other, Florida is the place to be.

If economics guide your choices, remember that central Florida rivals the RGV in costs, but also remember that you generally get what you pay for in both places. Cheap beer is available if that's your choice. So is the RGV.

Having spent 12 seasons in the RGV I find this to be very inaccurate.

I think one's viewpoint is swayed by the type of snowbird you are. One that is mobile and living out of a moving RV will have hammer's viewpoint. One that is not so mobile that can build structures to negate the wind and cooler temps will have another.