Snowbird Prices (RANT)

[jimroach]

This is just a rant, but maybe someone can clear it up for me:

How do Snowbirds afford Florida in the Winter? The DW and I are taking 2014 off to travel in our MH, and our DD wants us to Join them in Homestead for the NASCAR races (Nov 2014), so we figured we would spend three months down in Florida....

The prices are crazy expensive. I could pay a mortgage for what most RV parks are charging during the winter. The other issue I have is that some of the Parks we have requested rates and possible reservations, we can't get in touch with, they don't acknowledge emails and the phones just ring. I assume that they get regulars back every year so are not concerned with new business.

OK, rant over, thanks for letting me get that off my chest! 🙂

[tatest]

There are places in Florida that are no more expensive than living in the piney woods of eastt Texas or in the cottonfields of the Mississippi Delta. But they don't have large populations of winter visitors nor parks on the coast or inland waterway, and will not be golf resorts. They might even be 15 miles from the nearest gas station, 30 from a supermarket. I drive through this part of Florida every time I visit my brother, who lives on one of those resorts we cannot afford. Yet there is real estate 1/10 the value of what is in his development, and a trailer park taking RVs at $300 a month, withun two miles of his resort.

So it is not even Florida vs elsewhere, it is about choosing a lifestyle location that fits your budget. The one thing you cannot readily do in Florida that you can in other snowbird areas, is find public land where you can squat for almost nothing, all winter long. Compared to major metro areas, most of Florida is still pretty cheap living.

[TomG2]

Mr. Camper wrote:
First of all prices are always going up. It's capitalism as its best. .....snip.......

Rates in this campground, near McAllen, Texas have stayed the same for the past six years. In fact, this fall they were offering some discounts, three months for two for instance. Maybe in Florida they "always go up", but not here. Maybe that is why I am here? 🙂

[gasguzler]

I have a reservation for $650 a month-full hook up/30-50 amp + wi fi. Right during Bike week and 30 minutes from Daytona. I think you have to be out in front of it and plan far in advance. I booked in June for a March Stay. I think if you deal with them in their slow time, they need the cash flow so they make good deals, I booked in late June, they took the money from my CC right away so they had some cash flow during their down time. That's OK with me, it spreads out my cost of the stay over time.(My site is already paid for in June) I can still get a refund if I can't make it.

[Mr__Camper]

First of all prices are always going up. It's capitalism as its best. However, Two years ago we spent a month at Ho Hum and it was less than $500 for a back in overlooking the water. The same site now goes for $960 for a month. I could be wrong but if they haven't upgraded the facilities then thay increase is too high. Bottom line is we will be staying elsewhere and in the future there will be a reduction in prices to bring back business.

[TomG2]

Big Katuna wrote:
..snip....
Seriously, property taxes are high, energy has gone up, costs for new development eg impact fees and crazy building codes have all but stopped new RV Parks being built. ...snip....

Therein is the reason for the above comments about supply and demand. There are less campsites available in South Florida today than there were ten years ago. Very few new parks, and older parks are often converted to mobile home parks as more people choose that lifestyle.

Plenty of campgrounds in South Texas at half the price.

[rocmoc]

jimroach wrote:
This is just a rant, but maybe someone can clear it up for me:

How do Snowbirds afford Florida in the Winter? The DW and I are taking 2014 off to travel in our MH, and our DD wants us to Join them in Homestead for the NASCAR races (Nov 2014), so we figured we would spend three months down in Florida....

The prices are crazy expensive. I could pay a mortgage for what most RV parks are charging during the winter. The other issue I have is that some of the Parks we have requested rates and possible reservations, we can't get in touch with, they don't acknowledge emails and the phones just ring. I assume that they get regulars back every year so are not concerned with new business.

OK, rant over, thanks for letting me get that off my chest! 🙂

Your location is reported in Arizona. Campground cost will be less than the fuel required to do a roundtrip to Florida. AND wait tell you have to pay tolls to travel the roads with your rig. First trip we avoided the toll roads but traffic was so bad on the local roads we gave up and paid the tolls. Also you are use to our low (in this day) fuel prices. Wait tell you buy fuel (including propane) in Florida. We are spoiled with paying less than the rest of the USA. Campground fees will be only one of the items that are going to throw you a curve ball. Good luck, we will never make the drive from AZ again. Fly-in & rent a car YES!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[rocmoc]

mikem1945 wrote:
Stay in center of state and prices are lower Many nice place for 600 a month or so. Try Winter Haven area.

Downside is center of state has the most FOG (includes Winter Haven) & coldest night time temps.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[mikem1945]

Stay in center of state and prices are lower Many nice place for 600 a month or so. Try Winter Haven area.

[garlic]

Check out Florida's state forests. We like the Withlacoochee State Forest campground at Tillis Hill in the Crystal River area. Down side is "no dogs or horses in the campground." The Holder Mine area may allow pets, don't know. Neither has full hookup, only water and 30 amp but it is beautiful, quiet and inexpensive.

[Fizz]

As a rule your first year Snowbirding is expensive.
It take at least one outing to work out all the kinks.
Once you've toured all the parks around you and talked to all your neighbours it gets easyer to find something in your price range.

[Parrothead_Mike]

To reduce the cost of a 3 month stay in Florida I would suggest that you spend some time researching the different campgrounds and parks rather than throw up your hands in disgust. There are plenty of lower cost parks, but you have to look for them. Try RVparkreview.com as a tool for finding parks in an area you're interesting in staying.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/

If you want to stay in the high demand areas along the coasts you're likely to pay plenty. That's the old supply & demand issue. If you take a look at US27 winding it's way down through the middle of the state you will find some acceptable prices. From Ocala down through Winter Haven to Sebring there are several reasonably prices parks, but again, you will have to do some research to find them. The lower cost parks may not have all the amenities of the higher priced parks though.

In regard to looking for a place to camp near Homestead for a reasonable rate you might want to look at state parks along US41 in the Everglades. It may still be a bit of a drive to the track, but the prices may be better. Anywhere around a Nascar track during a race weekend will be expensive.

For checking out state parks check here:

http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do?topTabIndex=ReservationHome

[Big_Katuna]

Rising prices reflect the increased costs of ammo and padlocks.

Seriously, property taxes are high, energy has gone up, costs for new development eg impact fees and crazy building codes have all but stopped new RV Parks being built.

And it pays to shop. And anywhere around Daytona during the Races and bike week including Orlando is pricey.

[SuperDutyFiver]

I don't have the time to do it, but have noticed that some CGs essentially have 'unadvertised' rates that you find out about when you camp there-usually for longer stays-and yes, places within walking distance to the intercoastal or Gulf.

Also-monthly, seasonal, and cash deals can be had if you search. Everything is relative, so what I consider a good deal may not be what someone else does.

Friends have sublet a site from others(site owners) in gorgeous properties that are ownership based-for much less than if they rented weekly/monthly from the properties management company. Also-there are some gorgeous mobile home parks that will rent spots to camp on in FL.

Shopping around and persistence will uncover some deals...

[rocmoc]

We stayed 4 months two winters ago and 2 months last winter. Both trips our average was under $30/night. We stayed mostly at State, Fed, County & city parks. 95% of the time very nice parks. Take a look at Salt Springs State Park and Turtle Beach County Park. But we made reservations MONTHS in advance. Thankfully we are returning to Mexico this winter!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Dog_Folks]

Two things going against you. 1. Supply and Demand
2. Location,Location,Location