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! 🙂

[toolttime]

Then don't go if it is too much

[Ivylog]

Guess the laugh is on me as I'm actually still in N GA where it's snowing lightly. Note to self, forget Thanksgiving and Christmas with the kids next year.

[John_Joey]

Ivylog wrote:
It's been three days and no rebuttals.
OH, now I understand...

LOL, you dirty dog! Better be careful, Santa going to leave you a lump of coal :W


I was having my first cup of coffee wondering what broke on the furnace making it blow cold air. :h Already burnt my first full tank of propane. :S

[Ivylog]

It's been three days and no rebuttals.
OH, now I understand.
*DANG THIS MAP UPDATES EVERY HOUR.


You might want to start following Joe Bastardi who uses weather history to make forecasts. The bad news is the current various natural forces are looking more like those of the mid 70s which froze many of the citrus groves, even in Florda.

[Ivylog]

Double post:S but on a serious note: If you really believe in "Global Warming"... sorry "Climate Change" then keep going to TX or AZ or CA as it may get warmer some year as it has not gotten warmer in the last 12. Not ONE of the 100+ computer models predicted this stop to warming. Not surprising to me as I remember when the cover of Time in 1976 predicted "Global Cooling" was coming and then it snowed in WPB (1/ 19/ 1977). Sometimes I wish I did not have a good memory.
Sorry about the rant but the money being wasted on what ever it's being called is criminal.

[Ivylog]

If you look at the current temps here you'll understand why I pay the big bucks to be in south Florida.
Miami/WPB 74 and at 5AM it was 70.
Brownsville 47
Tuson 47
Palm Springs 46

Even the 5 day forcast looks good although it looks like the cold front is stalling south of Ocala so we'll have some rain which we need this time of year.

[John_Joey]

Big Katuna wrote:
...My only complaint about it would be the same as Grand Lake RV Resort (another very nice park) is that it is so remote with not a lot of shopping/ restaurant options. Both are about 20 -25 minutes outside Gainesville, which has it all.

Funny you should bring that up, AVAN (past RV.net member) taught me the wisdom in picking a "destination" area. Prior to that we got hitch itch pretty fast and couldn't see what the big deal was sitting in a warm weather park at the cross roads of no and where. We would have rather been back north with family.

Only downside is "destination" places cost more. Guess it's back to the old supply and demand logic. I'm sure many like remoteness, it's just not for us.

[Big_Katuna]

It is a very nice park. The pull throughs are about 90 feet long and angled so that you might not see your neighbor and not staring at their sewer connection. One of my pet peeves about most parks.

The park was built by a somewhat eccentric couple who had grandiose designs and a beer budget. Finally went bankrupt during the crash leaving a huge pool/waterfall area half done.

My only complaint about it would be the same as Grand Lake RV Resort (another very nice park) is that it is so remote with not a lot of shopping/ restaurant options. Both are about 20 -25 minutes outside Gainesville, which has it all.

[qtla9111]

Worked for us here in the RGV at Casa Del Sol. First month was $99 (plus tax) and then November and December were $250 per month. Can't beat that. I used it for work purposes, but now we have Thanksgiving and a week in December to act like snowbirds before heading to Southern Mexico.

Weekly rates for back in at Williston Crossings is $240 and the montly is $620. Called this morning and asked for availability for December and January.

So the first time rate is a bargain. Looks like a very nice park too.

[Big_Katuna]

qtla9111 wrote:
This appears on the website for Williston Crossings Rv Resort

So with tax, that's $118.81/wk and you are not guaranteed a spot; its based on availability.

[Sooner_Schooner]

I usually never defend RV parks, but this time I have a little more information. We are currently workamping at one of those expensive Florida RV parks and my wife works reservations. I hate being put on hold as much as the next guy but they have up to 5 reservation takers working at one time and up to 8 people on the phone are on hold. It drives my wife crazy, she hates putting people on hold but she also has people standing in line to check in or make purchases. We have been here since August and it is the busiest place we have ever worked at. So, at least for this place, if you are on hold or nobody answers the phone it is NOT for the lack of caring.

[qtla9111]

This appears on the website for Williston Crossings Rv Resort

[Big_Katuna]

I have lived here 45 years and have never heard or seen that offer.
I do agree that if you don't mind frost and being a bit remote, there are some great parks around that are affordable. Williston Crossings is a very unique, nice park.

[motorcycle_jack]

OK, I'm going to divulge a secret about Florida the others haven't discussed. Your first year will give you an advantage you can use to stay rather cheaply. In north and middle Florida, many resorts offer a first week fee for first time residents of $99 a week! And I'm talking NICE parks. So you can hop week to week in different parks and stay for less than $400 a month. Think they're junky or not pretty - check out Grand Lake RV Resort and my favorite - Williston Crossings RV Resort. And there are hundreds offering the same rate - just go to their web sites or call - they don't volunteer the rate if you don't ask.

[jojolou]

I've heard it said that the rich (snowbird) in Florida, those that think they are rich go to Arizona and the rest head for Texas!