we want to escape winter...ideas are welcome

[DeborahnJes]

So our ideas are from end of October to March , to get away from the cold and snow, and head to a climate where being outside is more tolerable to enjoy the things we love. We thought about the southern most part of Tennessee to the border of Alabama or around the area. I looked online at small lots of land to acquire and there seems to be much to offer. The plan would then be to set up a small peaceful site. Florida is out of the question......lived there once and we don't like it at all.

[dkottum]

Both military retirees, we've lived in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, and California, plus some northern states and overseas, and on the seas.

To enjoy consistent summer-like weather in mid-winter, look to south Florida, way south Texas, southern Arizona and southern California.

We like them all, but to avoid heavy populations and all that goes with it, we have been spending most of the winters near Tucson, AZ. Not fond of living nearly alone in the desert, we seek out large 55+ RV Resorts for an active and friendly community life as a winter destination. We travel widely throughout the country, often coast to coast, coming and going to sight-see and visit friends and relatives.

We try to take a different route each time, but we're running out of different routes. Looking forward to some winter destinations in southern Florida and California again. We've been doing this for over ten years now, enjoying the heck out of it. Not ready to settle down anytime soon. Well, we're definitely settled in Minnesota lakes country in summer, almost never leave.

[Lily&Me]

I like South Carolina and Georgia, for much more moderate temps than here and without all the crowds of Florida.

Southern Mississippi and Louisiana are also beautiful, more moderate temp-wise, and all of these states are full of history and their own, unique culture.


Maggie

[AnnArborBob]

Tennessee and Northern Alabama are not "outside weather" in my opinion during the winter. Sure, they are better than Northern Minnesota, but you still get ice storms and still have to wear a down jacket much of the time, if you are OK with that then fine, but for me I want to wear shorts in the winter!

[B00merang]

DnJ
I know you said no to Florida...and I agree to anything south of Daytona/Crystal River. But if you never gave the Big Bend area or north-central Florida a chance you may want to reconsider. Its mostly agricultural, especially the latter, and the Suwanee River/Cedar Key/St. Marks/St. Joe/St. George and Dog Islands are great destinations and not at all like the Florida that (rightfully) turned you off. Safe travels. jon

[Air83]

Galveston, Texas. Great restaurants, music, beach and entertainment. Quick trip to Houston for sports, plays, art and festivals.

[xrvr]

When it gets frigid here in the fortys and thirtys we go to the extreme south fl. Ft Myers, Naples or the keys.

[dames7]

On you come to AZ, you will always come here.

[87MH]

Originally Posted by DeborahnJes

So our ideas are from end of October to March , to get away from the cold and snow, and head to a climate where being outside is more tolerable to enjoy the things we love. We thought about the southern most part of Tennessee to the border of Alabama or around the area. I looked online at small lots of land to acquire and there seems to be much to offer. The plan would then be to set up a small peaceful site...

Give Deep East Texas a look.

One of the perks of Airstream ownership (besides this Forum) are various Airstream only parks across the nation. One of the most affordable is in East Texas. The Texas Airstream Harbor Inc (TAHI) is best suited for me - for many reasons.

You can read more about the Harbor on Lake Sam Rayburn (SE of Lufkin) at:

Texas Airstream Harbor, Inc.

Full hookups are only $15 per night if you decide to stay for a week or so. You need not be a WBCCI member to stay at the park - the only requirement is an Airstream product.

TAHI is a non-profit organization, and relies on volunteer labor to keep costs at a minimum.

TAHI is a secure gated community - lots of road and park area to ride bikes on. Birding is second to none in Texas. We are right on the shore of Lake Sam Rayburn, so most any type of fishing is available almost from your parking spot.

TAHI (Texas Airstream Harbor) is a couple of hours north of Houston, so plenty of medical and entertainment are close at hand. Lufkin, Texas (more than 33,000 population) is only a half hour drive away.

It is possible to purchase an existing "cabanna" (usually a 12' X 20' room) with an attached cover for the Airstream for a minimal price - depending on availability. Yearly assessments at this time are only $400 per year. The assessment covers pretty much everything except for phone and electricity. The real benefit of a cabanna is the ability to leave your winter "things" in a secure, locked environment while you travel to cooler climes in the summer.

PM if you have any questions.

[Bill M.]

We live in Tennessee and we go to Florida for the cold months.

[AWCHIEF]

I live in a very popular snow bird area, the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Plenty of reasonable priced RV parks that cater to the SB crowd. Mild winters with summers that are miserably hot and humid like today.

[DeborahnJes]

So many great ideas. I wondered if we would have to go deeper south into Alabama. We are ok with some cool weather, but not frigid like here. We have talked about Mississippi, New Orleans, even Georgia. A lake that offers lake lots for sale could be a possibility, as well as small wooded lots available zoned for RV. We won't narrow down our area till next spring and summer, as we do short trips in our search. Right now I we are in my final stretch of my cancer plan with 12 weeks of chemo to do yet and one last small surgery after that, so we are close to home this winter .

[NOAZRK2690]

Don't understand why you got a bad opinion of Florida. If you go to the Traveler's Rest Resort web-site you might change your mind about Florida. Try it once and you're likely to return. Great location, shorts and tee shirt usually work all winter, lots to do, multiple shopping districts in each direction using back roads, international flights out of Tampa, 4 miles off I-75, great infrastructure, nice golf course, great place to make friends. What more could you want?

[Jaxon]

A couple of years ago, we “wintered” at the Lazy L&L which is just outside New Braunfels, TX... San Antonio is about 30 mins. away, Austin about an hour and Gruene, about 20 mins... (great music). The Lazy L&L is at the elbow of the Colorado River - beautiful area... Nice thing about them are their winter rates - $395/mo. and that includes electricity. It’s in the Hill country and right by Canyon Lake, also... Oh, weather permitting, they have live music on the weekends at the Dance hall... Guadalupe River RV Tent Camping|Tubes on the Canyon Lake Kayaking Texas|Lazy L and L Campground

And of course, if you like the coast, come to Rockport, TX or Aransas Pass... there are more campgrounds than you can shake a stick at. Padre Island has several nice campgrounds, too...
.
.

[JCWDCW]

We always went to Texas Rio Grande Valley from here in Southern Ontario. Great people and no where near as expensive Florida. We did not like Florida either. If we were able to continue I would definitely look into the Airstream TAHI park. It is a bit further north than we are used to and it will have some cold days in January but not more than north Florida or south Georgia. We did stay at Travelers Rest in Florida once. Nice park but at the time it was nearly $900 per month in Jan and Feb whereas Texas was running $400 $500 per month with just as many activities.
JCW

[AtomicNo13]

Quartzsite Arizona...
The biggest fun you'll ever have clothed or not!

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by DeborahnJes

A lake that offers lake lots for sale could be a possibility, as well as small wooded lots available zoned for RV. We won't narrow down our area till next spring and summer, as we do short trips in our search.

If you would be willing to join WBCCI, there is a unit in Texas— Texas Gulf Coast Unit— that owns an Airstream-only park— Texas Airstream Harbor, Inc. (TAHI)— on the shore of Sam Rayburn Lake near Zavala, TX. I don't belong to that unit, so I don't know if they have lots for sale or long-term lease, but you can check it out. Contact info: My Road Trip.

Like most campgrounds south of I-20 it's open year-round.

[Norm States]

I do not know where you lived in Florida previously, but you should check Camper's Holiday out. The left coast has a lot to offer. Come stay in the campground for a month or two and I believe you will be hooked.

[xrvr]

If you didn't live in N Fl, you didn't live in Fl. South Fl is either NY south or Cuba north, meaning crowded and fast living.

[Hal-Gin]

Arizona was our choice after much research and traveling. We don't do very well in humid climates.