Is just being a Snowbird enough?

[lizzie]

As I read through the Forum and chat with people in our campgrounds I wonder if just avoiding the cold and snow is enough for the present generation of RV-ers? Just about every rig we see has bikes and/or kayaks and everyone seems very interested in finding places to go and things to see. Are the Boomers just accustomed to more activity? Are they more affluent? More adventurous? Is this a trend or just a reflection of the kind of campgrounds that we choose? If it is a trend what kinds of information and services would better meet these needs? lizzie

[wa8yxm]

Well... Looking back at live cameras of the freeways in and around Detroit, MI (I'm John from Detroit) makes me very glad to be 800 miles south of Detroit.. Fact is I also like going places and seeing things.. This is my first winter down here with a reliable towed so once I catch up on a couple things I plan on doing some sight seeing, Check out an eatery or 3, and generally enjoying the country.. I also plan on expanding my travel radius in another year or two.

And perhaps looking for a traveling companion to share the joy.

[Nutinelse2do]

sonora wrote:

Nutinelse2do wrote:
Personally, no, not more affluent. We have no children and are retiring very young, to begin full timing. We have known for 20 + years we want to full time for retirement and have scrimped and saved to be able to do so, with enough put away for back up plans. Never know what tomorrow holds, and being at a job 40 hours a week that neither of us like, is not our idea of living. A lot of people's work defines them. For us, our jobs are a means to save for real life.

We have never had any exposure to pretty much anywhere other than So Cal, Az, and Nevada. There is an entire country out there waiting for us to explore. Quads, kayaks, etc allow you to see places you otherwise might not, just like Geocaching. We are both outdoorsy people. We love fishing, hiking, riding bikes, kayaking, etc.

We have no desire to stay in RV parks with activities, pools, etc since they do not fit our life style. City living is just not for us.

I think physical ability limits quite a few RVrs due to knees, joints, etc so I wouldn't really say its a trend. just what people are physically able to do when they are enjoying the RV lifestyle. A lot of people follow the weather to reduce physicall ailments, ie arthritis, copd's.

We will follow the seasons, but possibly on the opposite end. We want to see Yellowstone and Alaska Northern Lights in the winter, the leaves changing and first snowfall in the East, waterfalls at Yosemite in the spring. Those are the most beautiful natural wonders that we have yet to experience.

This should be a very interesting thread. I am looking forward to everyone's responses.

"Seeing the first snowfall in the east" Now that is VERY FUNNY! As a desert dweller you would not understand.

Lol. Yes, we do. Born in Wisconsin and Mass. All family is still midwest and East coast. As a matter of fact, going to Kenosha this week for a funeral. Highs are going to be low 20's so it will be a warm week. Last time we were there it was -18. So yes, we understand. Not afraid of cold. Only chiggers, no see ums and ticks!

[Thunder_Mountai]

Sorry my friend. We are not our parent's generation. Yes, we're boomers born in '49 and '52. Our parents survived the Great Depression, won WWII and gave us a wonderful life. Yes, we smoked, did drugs and did lots of stupid things, but we got smart in our 20s-30s. We started exercising, eating better, and abusing our bodies in healthier ways.

My father had his first big one four years before I retired at 61. He had too good a job and expense account. Lots of travel and bad food. He died of heart disease related too second hand smoke from coworkers and my mother. My mother died of lung cancer. Wife's parent both died of LUNG cancer from smoking.

We hike, bike, walk, work out and challenge out bodies. We have bikes on the back of our Jeep. Our bays are filled with backpacks, boots, etc. We hike to 13K go back to the HM or home and drink a bottle of wine and go to bed by 9.

We are not affluent. We don't own a Marathon. We are just enjoying what is left of our life. The torch passes on.

Remember, just keep moving fast enough to stay ahead of the first shovel full of dirt. Because, when the first shovel full of dirt hits you, it is all over.

[sonora]

Nutinelse2do wrote:
Personally, no, not more affluent. We have no children and are retiring very young, to begin full timing. We have known for 20 + years we want to full time for retirement and have scrimped and saved to be able to do so, with enough put away for back up plans. Never know what tomorrow holds, and being at a job 40 hours a week that neither of us like, is not our idea of living. A lot of people's work defines them. For us, our jobs are a means to save for real life.

We have never had any exposure to pretty much anywhere other than So Cal, Az, and Nevada. There is an entire country out there waiting for us to explore. Quads, kayaks, etc allow you to see places you otherwise might not, just like Geocaching. We are both outdoorsy people. We love fishing, hiking, riding bikes, kayaking, etc.

We have no desire to stay in RV parks with activities, pools, etc since they do not fit our life style. City living is just not for us.

I think physical ability limits quite a few RVrs due to knees, joints, etc so I wouldn't really say its a trend. just what people are physically able to do when they are enjoying the RV lifestyle. A lot of people follow the weather to reduce physicall ailments, ie arthritis, copd's.

We will follow the seasons, but possibly on the opposite end. We want to see Yellowstone and Alaska Northern Lights in the winter, the leaves changing and first snowfall in the East, waterfalls at Yosemite in the spring. Those are the most beautiful natural wonders that we have yet to experience.

This should be a very interesting thread. I am looking forward to everyone's responses.

"Seeing the first snowfall in the east" Now that is VERY FUNNY! As a desert dweller you would not understand.

[webecreekin]

That is what is so neat about RVing. To each his own. One size does not fit all. Consequently we see all kinds of motorhomes and trailers--at a large difference in costs. Regardless of the differences in recreational vehicles, I've seldom heard anyone say they regretted their choice. Oh, they will change from a motorhome to a trailer or vice versa, but it is generally not because they didn't like what they had, it was that they were looking for a new experience. Some people lived an active life before they retired and will look for the capability to live an active life after they retire. Conversely, some people lived a relatively sedentary life and will look will look for a park where they can continue their sedentary lives. So, you will see "active" folks with boats, bikes, kayaks, big dogs that like to jog, and other things that will allow them to stay active. You will also see folks that want all of the luxury they can get so they can maintain the life style to which they have been accustomed. Some folks are social (golf, shuffleboard, pot luck meals, dances) and some who are not (reading books, quiet meals at home, etc.) BUT...they all love their form of RV lifestyle--they like the outdoor life of one form or another (you can't live in 200 sq. ft forever). We like to travel more than sit, at least for the time being. Therefore we put over 10,000 miles a year on our 5th wheel, seeing the sights, and meeting the people--we're gone up to 10 weeks at a time. Most of those miles have been with friends who also like to travel, so we sort of carry our own social group with us--or they carry us, whatever. We enjoy it a lot. Maybe one day we might want to squat down for a few months at a time in a favorable climate, and that will alright too. We aren't full timers; we still have a house that we love and will always have. So...boomers or not, affluent or not, there is something out there for each of our interests. It's just waiting for us!

[beemerphile1]

I'm not sure I understand the question but this thought came to mind;
If you go to a marathon - you will marathoners
if you go to a bike race - you will see bike racers
if you go to Daytona in March - you will see motorcyclists

if you go to a campground - you are likely to see people that have more money and desire to live an active life, it is not necessarily a reflection on any other segment of the demographic.

[Gjac]

I think this way also but might change with age. I have a difficult time getting out of my kayak due to arthritis in my knees. I can still ride my Mtn bike and hike. Snow birded in Az., Ca, Tx, 2 years ago and it was great. Last year in Fla. enjoyed Everglades NP, Big Cypress and free diving the springs up in Ocala. Having said all that our friends are 4 years older than us and stay at a campground all winter in Fla. with all the amenities and potlucks.

[Dog_Folks]

Everyone's style is different. We boomers campground host for 7 months per year. Travel for two. The remaining 3 months is spent in Florida, resting and being couch potatoes. But that is just us.

I do agree that the boomer generation is more active. Lots of them are retiring "early."

[mockturtle]

Speaking as an early boomer who hikes and kayaks, I think it's a trend that will continue. Playing golf, shuffleboard, bingo, etc. are not my cup of tea. Nothing wrong with those activities, I just prefer more adventurous fun. And I don't like potlucks.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

fj12ryder wrote:
Well, to me it would make no sense to go south to avoid the cold and then stay in the RV. If you're going to do that, why not just stay home and inside? So if you're going to go south you bring along things to do.

If you've never snowbirded you probably don't realize it's 30 to 50 degrees warmer on the Gulf coast. LOL!

Some of us don't like staying inside all year long like they do in some parts of the north.

[2gypsies1]

I think the Boomers are more adventurous and also, more health-conscious. If you pick up anything to read you will always find an article on ways to stay healthy. Sitting in an RV park the whole winter and going to potlucks in the clubhouse or going out to eat daily is not the way to stay healthy. Boomers grew up with diet and exercise being stressed and that's the kind of environment they want while RVing.

[Greentow]

We're not FT (yet), but having seen a LOT of the world, courtesy of my Uncle Sam, we want to see the USA (and NOT in a Chevrolet:R) A bike usually travels with us, for the wife. Kayak, not for me. Now if I could get a Golf Cart in the rig, ?????? Really, we are comfortable after retirement, and enjoy the travel and the sight-seeing, and will continue until we run out of time on this earth.

[jmtandem]

The web has made it much easier to make money and live where you want in an RV. Folks in their mid 20's and up are living in RV's and traveling with the seasons. Snowbirding is not just about traditional retired people. Baby boomers as a whole seem much more mobile and active in the outdoors beyond the RV park fence then previous generations. Often traditional retired RVers would ride thier bikes around the campground in the evening and wave at everybody. Boomers will take the bike out the gate of the park and ride 40 or 50 miles before coming back. The new generation is not so much about pelicans, flags, blue jumpsuits and fancy lights on the awning as it was for previous generations.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Lengthy discussion on this on the Snowbird section last month.

Basic assumption was that unlike our parents, most of us have not had to do physically punishing labor for 40+ years before retirement.

We developed a different set of habits about such things as bicycles, kayaks, hiking, etc. We were also lucky enough to be able to travel more while younger and enjoy these things.

That makes us less likely to be satisfied with the snowbird destination which has group, clubhouse focused activity with limited physical activity potential.

Another noticeable difference is the boomers are more likely to spend a few years at one snowbird destination (say - California) and move to a new one (Texas or Florida) every so often.

As long as we are physically able - we are going to want to do those things.

The snowbird market customer base is changing.