drake52
Albuquerque, NM
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Joined: 05/15/2008
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We've just returned to New Mexico from a six-week trip through the south east - New Orleans, Daytona Beach, Savannah, Charleston, Asheville, Oklahoma City and a lot of places in between. It was such a successful trip (a few, manageable, problems)we've decided to try finding a place to spend next winter (the winters in Albuquerque where we live are mild, so it has to be warmer)in order to see if we might want to try full-timing. I've been online looking at some resorts and I need some advice about finding a good place. What's it like in one of these places that look like an RV sales lot with zillions of RVs lined up? I almost never have to shovel snow, so it really has to be better than home. Any help or suggestions? PS, we both like to play bridge.
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JMTTS
52.1122 N, 106.5625 W
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Joined: 11/19/2004
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Great Park
J & M
2005 Cardinal 33TS LX with TrailAir
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 4x4 DRW D/A (LLY) Crew Cab
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jojolou
S. E. Michigan
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Joined: 03/09/2005
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We second Victoria Palms. We just returned from spending the winter there. It is one of the most expensive parks in the RGV, but if that is not a problem, you'd enjoy it for sure. It's a gated community with tons of stuff to do. Palm and fruit trees (help yourself) on every site. However, it's windy and can be dusty as they currently do not have a watering system for the grass. Hence, grass is sparce. But if you can overlook that, you're in for a treat. We have chosen a different park in Mission for next season, but we can still enjoy all the shows at any of the parks. If you're not interested in the activities listed on Victoria Palms' website, find a less expensive park. It really all depends on what you're interested in doing while you're there. PM us if we can be of further help. Oh, and make sure you read the thread titled Activities, Attractions and Dining in the Rio Grande Valley. It's on page 3 of the Snowbird forum.
Lou
2008 Allegro Bay 35 TSB W-25.5
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masman
Ohio
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Joined: 05/07/2007
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A lot of strong opinions exist about the "best" place to winter. My folks spent over 20 winters in the RGV and we have just completed a winter in AZ. We prefer the drier and a bit cooler climate of the Mesa, AZ area over the more windy and hotter more humid climate of the RGV. Obviously, many folks like the RGV better. Others prefer Fla. Beyond climate, the main thing that makes a differences are activities and people you meet. Some folks prefer less structured activities...others like a lot of structure. The advice you get is often based on what the advisor likes. Some folks believe that parks with a lot of RVs relative to park models/mobile homes are more desirable. We have experienced both types of parks and do not believe that is a very important factor. We have had good experiences in both types of parks (park model dominant vs rv dominant).
I believe that you should:
first...decide what type of winter climate you prefer. Dry, more humid, warmer vs cooler.
second...decide how much structure you want in your activities. Large parks tend to have full-time activities directors but you can find plenty of smaller parks that are less structured.
third...decide how much you are willing to pay. In general the RGV is a bit cheaper than AZ and AZ is a bit cheaper than many parks in FLA. FLA parks prices tend to rise as you move further south in the state with Key West having some of the most expensive.
Beyond the parks, you might want to consider the "almost free" no structure, alternative of Bureau of Land Management parking around Quartsite. AZ. Thousands of RVs can be found around Quartsite in the winter.
Our approach was to pick a park in the climate we liked and give it a go. We had decided before leaving that we would pull up stakes and move out if we did not like our choice after trying it out regardless of our sacrificed rent. We viewed this as a sunk cost and not worth living up if we were not enjoying ourselves. We had a ball and are looking forward to next winter.
Good luck with you decision. in the end, the folks we met are what made the winter enjoyable and I suspect this is true regardless of geographic area, climate, cost, etc.
Mark
33 Itasca - The Den of Antiquity
CRV Toad
First RV Trip 1966 - Slide on camper on 3/4 pickup
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Try Slab City, it is the cheapest park in the U.S. and you will have plenty of company.
1997 chev crew cab 454, 5 sp. 4.10
2000 Fleetwood Caribou 11.5
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pawatt
Brainerd MN / Mission TX
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Joined: 01/19/2005
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If you like warm weather, non stop activities & trips to Mexico consider the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, nearly 500 parks to choose from. The western valley has less wind & better weather than near the gulf but if you like the beach & fishing then try the South Padre Island area.
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pjsky
Renner SD/Yuma AZ
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Joined: 11/17/2004
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If you like warmth and dry, try Yuma Arizona. It has the warmest annual average temperature in the continental US.
Paul
2005 Coachmen Sportscoach Elite 401TS
2006 Pontiac Torrent on a dolly
Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.
PAUL AND JAN
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DakotaRider
Eastern So. Dak.
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Joined: 02/19/2006
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We spent our first winter in N. Ft. Myers, FL. We checked the average temps in AZ, TX and FL. We also followed the temps while in FL this past winter. Southern FL wins hands down. From Nov-April the nights stayed much more comfortable then the cold nights in AZ. Also we found the prices to be about the same.
Ken & Toni
2006 Damon Challenger 3 slides
2007 Chevy HHR Toad
No. Sioux City, SD
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alfredmay
West Milford, NJ
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Joined: 05/18/2002
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Listed below are weather statistics for N Fort Myers, FL and McAllen, TX. Also listed is Orlando in central FL. The highest concentation of RV parks in Florida is in the center of the state. If you look at the average temp listing you will see that the difference between central Florida and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas is one or two degrees in the winter months.
It is also interesting that the RGV of Texas has about 500 RV Parks and the entire state of Florida has about 800.
N. Fort Myers
Month Avg. High Avg. Low Mean Avg. Precip. Record High Record Low
Jan 75°F 54°F 65°F 2.23 in. 90°F (2003) 0°F (1948)
Feb 77°F 55°F 66°F 2.10 in. 92°F (1962) 27°F (1917)
Mar 80°F 59°F 70°F 2.74 in. 93°F (1980) 33°F (1980)
Apr 85°F 63°F 74°F 1.67 in. 96°F (1986) 39°F (1950)
May 89°F 68°F 79°F 3.42 in. 99°F (1989) 50°F (1945)
Jun 91°F 73°F 82°F 9.77 in. 103°F (1981) 58°F (1894)
Jul 92°F 74°F 83°F 8.98 in. 101°F (1942) 66°F (1950)
Aug 92°F 74°F 83°F 9.54 in. 100°F (1942) 65°F (1957)
Sep 90°F 74°F 82°F 7.86 in. 98°F (1912) 63°F (1922)
Oct 86°F 69°F 78°F 2.59 in. 95°F (1990) 45°F (1957)
Nov 81°F 62°F 72°F 1.71 in. 95°F (1986) 34°F (1970)
Dec 77°F 56°F 66°F 1.58 in. 90°F (1978) 24°F (1894)
McAllen, TX
Month Avg. High Avg. Low Mean Avg. Precip. Record High Record Low
Jan 69°F 48°F 59°F 1.20 in. 93°F (1971) 17°F (1962)
Feb 73°F 52°F 62°F 1.37 in. 99°F (1962) 19°F (1951)
Mar 81°F 58°F 69°F 0.95 in. 104°F (1984) 31°F (1980)
Apr 85°F 64°F 75°F 1.36 in. 105°F (1984) 39°F (1987)
May 89°F 70°F 80°F 2.51 in. 109°F (1999) 40°F (2004)
Jun 94°F 74°F 84°F 2.49 in. 108°F (1998) 59°F (1984)
Jul 95°F 75°F 85°F 1.70 in. 106°F (1979) 62°F (1974)
Aug 96°F 75°F 86°F 2.31 in. 106°F (2003) 63°F (1967)
Sep 92°F 72°F 82°F 4.00 in. 103°F (1985) 50°F (1942)
Oct 86°F 65°F 76°F 2.76 in. 101°F (1977) 42°F (1957)
Nov 78°F 57°F 68°F 0.95 in. 97°F (1988) 30°F (1959)
Dec 71°F 50°F 60°F 1.01 in. 95°F (1950) 18°F (1989)
Orlando
Month Avg. High Avg. Low Mean Avg. Precip. Record High Record Low
Jan 72°F 50°F 61°F 2.43 in. 87°F (1991) 19°F (1985)
Feb 74°F 51°F 63°F 2.35 in. 90°F (1962) 26°F (1996)
Mar 79°F 56°F 67°F 3.54 in. 92°F (1994) 25°F (1980)
Apr 83°F 60°F 72°F 2.42 in. 96°F (1968) 38°F (1987)
May 88°F 66°F 77°F 3.74 in. 100°F (1962) 48°F (1992)
Jun 91°F 71°F 81°F 7.35 in. 100°F (1998) 60°F (1984)
Jul 92°F 73°F 82°F 7.15 in. 101°F (1998) 64°F (1981)
Aug 92°F 73°F 83°F 6.25 in. 100°F (1980) 64°F (1957)
Sep 90°F 72°F 81°F 5.76 in. 98°F (1988) 56°F (1956)
Oct 85°F 65°F 75°F 2.73 in. 95°F (1986) 43°F (1957)
Nov 79°F 59°F 69°F 2.32 in. 89°F (1992) 29°F (1950)
Dec 73°F 53°F 63°F 2.31 in. 90°F (1978) 20°F (1983)
Alfred May
2005 Excursion V10 4.30 4x4
2002 Cedar Creek 30RBS TT by Forest River
Reese Dual Cam
Tekonsha Prodigy
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DakotaRider
Eastern So. Dak.
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Joined: 02/19/2006
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What is your point?
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