Snowbird Test the Waters Options?

[Diver4242]

I'm a former RVer but out of the game for a few years and miss it. My new wife and I have been discussing ways to beat the winter and talked about buying a place in Florida and so forth. But I think a better option would be to purchase a class A and set up camp down there from Jan-April each year.

I mostly work at home with some travel, so I'd have to be near a major airport. She's an RN who is taking a break after her last assignment to finish up her Masters (just a few classes left). She will probably do per diem/temp and/or travel nursing so that may work out well for us as far as this plan (does work camping usually involve nurses/medical staff?).

Before we make the big investment, I want to make sure this will work out for us both, so I thought maybe for starters we could secure a rental RV in the Tampa area or further south for the month of Feb next year and give it a shot. Are there RV resorts that have nice class-A type rental units? Or homeowners who rent, a-la vacation rental homes on sites like vrbo.com? Anywhere else I should post this question?

Thanks for any help.

[arnko37]

There is a major airport in Fort Myers, SW Florida Intl Airport. They are a much easier in & out than Tampa. Fort Myers gets a lot of traffic in the winter. Try Port Charlotte or Punta gorda. Punta Gorda is a scenic historic area and they have a website w/pics

[sarhvac1]

there is a lot of travel nurse jobs that offer housing I know for a fact Naples hosp. FLA does this my sister worked there as a travel (seasonal) nurse for many years they have apts. for them with in walking dist.

[rockhillmanor]

I was a snowbird first and then full time.

My advice would be to buy property down in Florida. There are still some absolutely insanely low priced foreclosures left down here. You can buy a real house for less than a used MH.

Check out what the CG monthly rates PLUS the monthly charge for electric bill is first, before you jump ship. Florida has the highest CG/electric rates for the winter than any state I have been in. And most park you in like sardines.

I looked at the foreclosed homes in Florida and just couldn't find a reason not to buy one!

FannieMae or Freddie Mac will actually pay your closing costs and give owner occupied first look at all the new listings before the investors can put offers in on them.

Dunnellon, Rainbow Springs FL area was just awarded reported by AARP THE best place to retire!

Example:
3/2 on 2 acres, 2 car garage, with an inground pool
Listed for $50,000 will sell for lower.

http://www.homepath.com/index.html

....and a house won't depreciate like an RV will when you drive it off the lot! :B

[John_Joey]

djgarcia wrote:
Before investing in a Class A, I would pick a RV Resort Park that meets all your requirements, then call them and ask them for a list of of vacation park model homes that are for rent. Try spending a winter there to see if thats what you and the wife really enjoy. If the answer is yes then you can search for your Class A with a little more confidance.

X2

Most of the nicer/larger parks will have rentals available.

Not everyone can live in a RV for months on end. Best to see how it goes before buying a depreciating asset.

[s_N_s]

Check out "emeraldpointervresort.com". It's located in Zephyrhills about a 45 minute drive to Tampa. Plenty of adds on tv for RN's as well needed in the area. The park is privately owned so when you go to "Lots for Rent" you need to call the actual owner of the lot to see if it's still available and the rental rate. The problem you may have is finding one for only a month but I would still try and see what you come up with. It's a beautiful park and everything the pictures show. We've been here 3 years now and really love it. Good luck and hope all works out.

[MarkTwain]

Before investing in a Class A, I would pick a RV Resort Park that meets all your requirements, then call them and ask them for a list of of vacation park model homes that are for rent. Try spending a winter there to see if thats what you and the wife really enjoy. If the answer is yes then you can search for your Class A with a little more confidance.

[pawatt]

Try Craig's list under vacation rentals in the areas you are interested in and VRBO may be good too. You should find many park models & mobile homes for rent.
Also many are just advertised on the park bulletin boards.