Where to Winter Next Year (2020-21)?

Yes, the word winter can become a verb! It is the location that we choose to spend the winter months, since our home has wheels. One of our full time RV goals is to target good weather with 75 degrees the goal. So, with that in mind, we plan to go somewhere south for the winter and then move into the northern states during the summer months. So, now the question is, where to winter next year (2020-21)?

I know that next year is a long way off. And some folks like to just wing it. But, the best warm weather RV parks tend to be completely booked up for the winter months by March. So, in this blog I am going to go through my current thought process on the pros and cons of selecting the best location for us.

These ideas are mine and everyone will not agree. We all have different goals for the winter location. Some people simply want a warm climate with no amenities and a very low cost. Others want the amenities and are not that concerned with cost. Anyway, here are my thoughts starting out with review of pros and cons on choosing Florida or Texas.

Florida Pros

• Many locations have more outside activities and things to do, such as beach locations, Disney and all the other theme parks. Also, many things to do in the larger cities such as Orlando and Tampa.
• There are many low cost flights out of Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and many other medium sized cities.
• The distance from our old hometown in Virginia is about half that of the Rio Grande Valley (700 miles vs 1,500)
• RV parks in the center of the state are less costly than those along either coast.
• Great seafood almost anywhere along the coasts. Many more restaurant choices than Texas.

Florida Cons

• RV parks are much more expensive than Texas with similar amenities. Usually double the cost on average. For the better places, Florida is $1,500 to $2,000 per month while Texas is $700 to $1,000 per month. There are some exceptions that we need to check out.
• The RV parks are located all over the state, so it requires more driving miles to visit them.
• During the months of December through March, the traffic and crowds are pretty bad. You need to plan to avoid the high traffic times or else get stuck in long delays.
• Some of the service people tend to not appreciate the “snowbirds.” More of a overcrowding nuisance for them.
• Mosquitos and noseeums after sundown can be bad.

Texas Pros (Rio Grande Valley)

Referring to spending the winter in Texas, I am speaking of the very far southern tip of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV).

• Most of the RV resorts have every imaginable activity and amenity. From wood working shops to facilities just for quilters. If you are bored, it is your own fault! You never need to leave unless you want to. There is no comparison on the quality of the top resorts to Florida.
• There are over 200 RV resorts located within a 75 mile strip of land from Brownsville to McAllen. Many to choose from and it is easy to visit them.
• The entire RGV welcomes the Winter Texans with open arms. The income from the winter months is what carries them through the year. They understand that economic fact.
• Less expensive than Florida.
• Not many bugs due to the wind.
• Most RV resorts have onsite restaurants or food service and bars.
• On the way to south Texas, there are some great stops, such as Fredericksburg.
• Texas BBQ.
• Very close to the Mexican border town of Progresso. Easy to access for lunch or low cost dental work.

Texas Cons

• It can be very windy. Varies from some high wind to a light breeze. It is sometimes wearing to sit outside and read.
• Longer distance from family in Virginia.
• Not as much restaurant choice as Florida, but less costly.

Other Notes

I have not included other warm weather states such as Arizona because we have never been there and really can’t comment. I know that Az has many quality RV parks and many people love them.

For this winter (2019-20), we are staying at four places in Florida to get a feel for each geographic area and use as a base to explore other parks.

Pat and I need to make a decision in the next couple of months. To help we plan to explore many RV resorts in Florida to develop a list of potential candidates. We hope to find a quality park with many amenities and activities that could be a choice for a 4-month winter stay.

We are currently at Cortez Florida for the month of December. Take care and God Bless.