RE: Finding a Doctor
Having lived in Florida for the past 14 years, I can tell you that you'll likely be back home before you can get an appt. with a primary care physician in Florida during snowbird season. Shoot! it's hard enough for me to get into my PC if I don't call at least a month in advance.
RE: Recommendations needed Ocala florida area in March
Fizz....glad you enjoyed your stay at Wilderness. We own a lot there with a park model on it. Lots of finished improvements which makes it even nicer.
RE: Mt. Dora, Eustis or Tavares, FL.
Lake Griffin state park is quite a distance from the target area of Eustis/Mt. Dora/Tavares....there are places much closer.
RE: Pre-purchase Inspection - Lazydays?
Another suggestion I've read, is that when taking delivery, take along a video camera and video tape everything....how this works, how that works, do this, don't do that stuff. Not only will you get the info on tape for future reference, but also can have proof of what the person says if there is a problem down the road.
We bought from LD in 2002....long on fluff, short on actual service. I guess some things don't change.
RE: refrigerators
We leave our fridge and freezer in the garage empty and off. I clean both well, then wedge a dish towel in the corner of each door so they don't close. If you have an ice maker as I do, I make sure to stop the system just after a load of cubes has dropped in and before more water is added, that way the ice maker will also dry.
If you've never seen a fridge or freezer quit working with food in it or not and the doors closed, it's not worth keeping it on. It's a small price to pay in time rather the large price of replacing a major appliance that you can't remove the smell from. No, it didn't happen to us, but to our next door neighbor.
We also turn off most electrical except the heat, phone & security system., down to the alarm clocks just to save on electricity while we're gone. In 14 years now of doing this, we've never had a problem.
RE: Why didn't you.....
For us, the reasons listed so far were not ours.
I absolutely HATED (then) the inconvenience of schlepping to a laundry room to find a phone jack to use the internet. It was difficult at times to get things straightend out financially when having to call on a cell phone, then sit on hold. Our mail was sent to us once a month, and some important things ...well, I won't go there.
Then there was the sense of aloneness. I had no place to call home. I never was part of a community or neighborhood, only neighbors as ships passing in the night. I didn't belong anywhere. Drive, park, sightsee, repeat.
When we took a break from the drive, park, sightsee, repeat, I had nothing, absolutely nothing to do. My sewing machine was in storage, I didn't play golf, and my DH was happy slouched in the recliner watching TV all day. That left me propped up on the bed, door closed to get away from TV, trying to read a book.
We managed 18 months before we both said..ENOUGH!!!! We need our own space, we need a real place to call home. I want my stuff back that's in storage. I want to make a real bed in the morning, not some short queen that we didn't fit in. In other words, I wanted to be back HOME!! Any home would have done, just give me a place to call home, with neighbors who remain neighbors and I'm happy.
In other words, with the exception of seeing so much of this beautiful country, I'm suprised we lasted as long as we did. We're now back in a sticks & bricks, traded the MH for a park model in Florida, and life is good. Besides, our Honda 2008 CR-V get almost 34 mpg on the drive to Florida.
on edit: back to the schlepping part....a big part of my dislike of f/T was just the darn inconvenience of it. Finding a Dr. to see us, or a dentist. Getting refills of Rxs. Things that when you actually live someplace you take for granted. Checking accounts, handling investments when you could only get 5 minutes of laundry room phone jack time....on and on ad infinitum.
RE: You SNOWBIRDS have it too good.
Check and see if Paradise Valley has any space available. It's located around Helen, Ga. An easy one day drive from Jax. In fact, there are many RV parks in and around the Helen area.
RE: Any reviews of this park?
Lake Deaton....don't bother!!!!It's old, has the look of a worn out trailer park. Nothing is close by as it sits just off Hiway 44 about 8 mi from I-75. You'll need your car to go anywhere.
Keep looking.....Olde Mill Stream in Umatilla, Fla. is a great place for the winter.
RE: Securing your house.
We've left Florida for the past 13 summers: Agreed, a/c on 80 & humidistat @ 60%. I put a little bleach into the toilet tank and bowl, then cover bowl with saran wrap to prevent evaporation. I put a little bleach into each drain, cover shower drains with saran wrap & put a plate or something similar on top. Those pesky bugs will head right for the drain for a drink of water. I also cover the overflow in bathroom sinks with saran. Close tub drains.
Turn the water off outside AND inside. We had a $500 water bill one year when the pool guy forgot to turn the water back off, and the toilet kicked on and ran, so turn them off, under the kitchen sink too.
Unplug ALL electrical appliances, including phones, TV, digital clocks etc. If it's plugged in, unplug it. Turn off fridge & freezers, clean out and prop doors open. Also turn water off inside for ice maker. Turn water off to washer & unplug washer & dryer. We also unplug garage door opener and lock door so it can't be opened.
If you have a pool, keep the pump running and hire a pool company to care for it while gone.
We bring in ALL outdoor items, furniture, grills, plants etc. No sense turning them into dangerous missles if a hurricane hits, it takes a little time, but better to be safe than sorry.
Double check all windows & doors to be locked, close blinds...and just make sure everything is clean. I take sheets & blankets off the beds, then put in plastic zipper bags.
Take photos or video of entire house, take pics etc. along with you, along with all insurance papers/rolodex etc., in case of hurricane, you'll need them.
Then, enjoy your travels to cooler temps.
on edit: turn as many circuit breakers off as you can. If you're on an FPL or Progress Energy special power reduction program (we were) check with the utility to see what they would prefer you do.
RE: I am finaly back and retiring from the US Army!
Ax5, as others have said, thank you for your service.
We own a lot just east of Ocala in an RV resort, and have a park model on it. That said, there are so many wonderful places here in central Florida to visit, that even with gas prices as they are now, a drive of just a couple of hours will give you a sense of our great country.
Perhaps your wife is simply tired of packing up and moving from place to place (boy can I relate to that). I'd ask her why she feels as she does, talk about it, then figure out a good solution for both of you. Her feelings need to be considered also.
RE: Anybody Canceling Trips Because Of Fuel Prices?
If our son thought for one minute that we were making our life decisions based on leaving him money, he'd have a real sit down talk with us.
However, we've made life decisions based on what will be best for our financial future...which has certainly changed since retirement 12 years ago. In other words, we need the money for our future...and if we make the mistake of spending it all now because tomorrow might not come.....
Go ahead if that floats your boat but watch out, chances are tomorrow will come, and you'd best have the money to pay for it.
RE: Park Models
Trop A Cal....that is exactly what we did in 8-2006. It is in a deeded RV resort just east of Ocala, Fl. However, ours came with no holding tanks, had the wheels & axles removed, and all underground utilities.
I'm not sure about the possibilities of moving it on & off site, especially by park personnel. Our unit is 14 x 36 and would require something much more than a diesel pickup.
RE: Park Models
This Jayflight looks like a normal trailer that one pulls onto a campsite and leaves it sit the way it looks on the website.
My park model made by Chariot, has the tires & axles removed, is tied down every few feet with metal strapping,and has skirting around the base, has no holding tanks, regular home kitchen appliances, and a/c & heat provided by a permanently attached compressor unit. And, all utilities are underground.
RE: small cell lung cancer
I went thru chemo for breast cancer in 1994. Much of your reaction is going to be based on exactly what drugs you're given. I had the 4 treatments from hell, was bald after 2 weeks, and after my 1st round (i then felt fine) 2,3,4 put me flat on my back.
One important thing to remember is that you're treatment protocol will be designed just for you, so please don't compare yours to anyone else. Another thing I'd recommend, and it might be hard to find, is a book called " The Cancer Conqueror". It was written by Greg Anderson an I believe still available thru Amazon. That book changed my life and my outlook!!!
RE: Buying an RV lot
We bought our deeded lot well north of you Triman, in the Ocala, Fl. area. We were one of the 1st to put down a deposit and the first to actually close almost 18 months ago. There have been 4 prices increases since then, and we're happy with our decision.
We traded our Tiffin MH in on our park model, and live quite comfortably for months at a time. I was tired of the traveling, and my Dh was a little weary of it too. We have our regular sticks & bricks in NW Arkansas. We will keep this place here in Florida until something happens to my 95 y/o FIL, then think about selling.
We too look to the future of RVing, and wonder how many retired people will be able to continue their lifestyle, and think that owing a place anywhere in Florida that isn't going to cost $400 sq.ft. is a good investment.
So, if you want it, go for it. If you buy it and at some point don't want it...sell it, that seems simple enough to me.
RE: Park model forum??
Gee, I have a park model and it looks nothing like a travel trailer, nor can I tow it around the country with me. I too vote "snowbirds".
RE: ARKANSAS ~ State of Residency??
Bottom line for us was that no way could (personal opinion, of course) we live in TX or FL or AZ year round if needed. But we can AR.
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Having lived in Florida since Jan. 1996, and Omaha, Ne before that, a comfortable year round location was a big consideration when choosing NW Ark. I was so tired of being dragged up north for 5 mo every summer, to live in an RV, when I had a perfectly lovely home on the water and a pool in the backyard. My DH hates Florida.
And we certainly weren't going to buy in a place where we HAD to leave during the winter. We decided Ark. was a perfect fit for us.
I want a place where I can finally again put down roots, get to know my neighbors, not worry about finding a Dr. or dentist, getting meds filled etc. Maybe another year or 2 and our park model & lot will be for sale, and we can stay permanently year round.
