dhayes
Maine
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Joined: 02/05/2008
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Thanks, all, for the advice. I think we'll go ahead with our original plan and just "float" this first winter. Since we don't have strong feelings about which part of the southwest we want to be in, this will give us a chance to explore regions/towns.
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bjbear
Cold Lake, AB, Can
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Joined: 02/14/2004
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First rule of snow birding is do what's right for you. You will not have trouble finding sites for a few days or a week at a time in Arizona. Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon has a short term area and I have seen many other parks with the same thing.
We originally were going to do the same as you, but we were lucky in that we found a great park right away and have been there ever since!! We have even gone over to the "dark side" and bought a park model, which we never intended to do so soon.
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catkins
Western Washington
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Joined: 10/27/2003
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Last year was out first year snowbirding............. anxiously awaiting year # 2 to start! We decided to wander to see sights and to see if there was an area that in a few years we will stay in for an extended time. We found that generally we could find a place to short term stay. Nightly rates as the most expensive, weekly slighly less and monthly gets you a bargain in comparison. We only had one, maybe two places where we had to try harder to find a spot. Generally was not an issue.
We traveled in Texas in early fall, Arizona most of the winter and New Mexico in the Spring. All were wonderful to visit. We did try Quartzite BLM and Yuma BLM land also. What a wonderful and different way to RV! Liked it so much have added solar and will go back for more time this winter. You will meet lots of new folks and always have something new to look forward to. Enjoy your new adventure!!
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RoadXYZ
OR-WA-ID-CA
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We loved Starke FL when we were there last November .. got there b4 the Snowbird crowd. We will be on the WEst Coast the next coupla years, but will miss the SouthEast area so much.
Travelers 3 - Granpa (N7SJN), Granma Marji & Petunia (9 lb Chi)
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dantrim
Yale. MI
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Joined: 10/25/2009
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bjbear wrote:First rule of snow birding is do what's right for you. You will not have trouble finding sites for a few days or a week at a time in Arizona. Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon has a short term area and I have seen many other parks with the same thing.
We originally were going to do the same as you, but we were lucky in that we found a great park right away and have been there ever since!! We have even gone over to the "dark side" and bought a park model, which we never intended to do so soon.
Another vote for Canyon Vista. Because of previous commitments, we only had a few days there, but would definately return there if in the area again.
We then drifted on for the rest of the season and didn't have any problem with full parks in AZ and TX. I suppose one might encounter a full park at certain locations, but if you call ahead, that problem would be eliminated.
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Queens Carriage
Treasure Coast, FLorida
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Best time for christmas is october. Then have the grand kids or kids down for a week in Dec,Jan,Feb,March or April.
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boowho
Wetmore, CO
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Joined: 04/19/2010
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bjbear wrote:First rule of snow birding is do what's right for you. You will not have trouble finding sites for a few days or a week at a time in Arizona. Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon has a short term area and I have seen many other parks with the same thing.
We originally were going to do the same as you, but we were lucky in that we found a great park right away and have been there ever since!! We have even gone over to the "dark side" and bought a park model, which we never intended to do so soon.
So, would you recommend Canyon Vistas as a long term (4-5 months) park? Anyone??
We are looking for a place with that is not all cliques, has some (many??) activities and enforces rules pretty actively (not drill sergeants, but close). I'd say 55+ with lots of comraderie (and activities on site) would be our top priorities.
We will be first-time snowbirds this year and well understand the need to maybe check out many places. It'd be my luck to pay for 5 months up-front and find out next day that I'm next to the stock yards. However, the price decreases substantially if you buy several months at a time, and price is a consideration as well. I can't afford 6-7 hundred $$$ per month.
thanks.... All comments welcome.
Boowho??
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Coalminer UG
Grande Cache Alberta
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Joined: 09/21/2008
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Last year was our first time snowbirding. We just wandered all over Arizona. We mostly stayed in State Parks or on BLM Land. We were there for 3 months and only paid for about half our time there. We found you could do day trips from almost all State Parks and we always stayed for a few days at each place. We did try a week at a Resort in Yuma. It was a complete disaster for us, as we did not fit in with the clicky group and it was expensive.We did enjoy Yuma and we will go back.
There are lots of places to camp and if you explore you will find nice inexpensive place.
SE California is also a good place to try. We did explore that area for a week and enjoyed it.
Ches
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PRT
NY~FL
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Joined: 05/25/2001
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RoadXYZ wrote:We loved Starke FL when we were there last November .. got there b4 the Snowbird crowd. We will be on the WEst Coast the next coupla years, but will miss the SouthEast area so much.
That surprises me. We go through Starke every year on our way to 75, and I never thought there was much there - except a speed trap!! Waldo too.
Pat
May the road rise with you, the wind be always at your back.
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dantrim
Yale. MI
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Joined: 10/25/2009
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boowho wrote:bjbear wrote:First rule of snow birding is do what's right for you. You will not have trouble finding sites for a few days or a week at a time in Arizona. Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon has a short term area and I have seen many other parks with the same thing.
We originally were going to do the same as you, but we were lucky in that we found a great park right away and have been there ever since!! We have even gone over to the "dark side" and bought a park model, which we never intended to do so soon.
So, would you recommend Canyon Vistas as a long term (4-5 months) park? Anyone??
We are looking for a place with that is not all cliques, has some (many??) activities and enforces rules pretty actively (not drill sergeants, but close). I'd say 55+ with lots of comraderie (and activities on site) would be our top priorities.
We will be first-time snowbirds this year and well understand the need to maybe check out many places. It'd be my luck to pay for 5 months up-front and find out next day that I'm next to the stock yards. However, the price decreases substantially if you buy several months at a time, and price is a consideration as well. I can't afford 6-7 hundred $$$ per month.
thanks.... All comments welcome.
Boowho??
After having stayed there last year, I would definately recommend it for the season, but caution anyone who hasn't been in any park for a week or so, against committing for an extended period of time.
Your last statement about 6-7 hundred a month, pretty well leaves Canyon Vista out of your picture. You can check out their rates online.
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