Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
How to Book Direct With Owners Where to Find Rental Owners and Avoid Extra Fees One common question I encounter from snowbirds is how and where to find rental owners and property managers. It’s a great question and with some diligence, it can be done. …
Candid Conversations with Snowbirds What Snowbirds Are Talking About from an Insider’s Perspective Every snowbird is different, yet there’s many common threads of conversations that all relate to core issues: the overall value and cost of housing, location, friendships/connections, community and appreciation. As a seasoned …
My twist of William Shakespeare's famous quote, "All that glitters is not gold" is "Not all that glitters is gold." No matter which way it is stated, the point of this aphorism is not all that first appears one way is actually the most precious or best way. In the case of snowbird housing, there's many facets to consider and this is where it gets tricky. What is best for each individual and/or couple is all about their own personal priorities.
In this particular snowbird housing case study, there's a delicate triangular balance of cost, location and style/form/function. Not to mention, the non-negotiables. Pet friendly is absolutely essential. The couple featured here (names have been changed) first considered pet friendly properties within a specific area of Northwest Florida. Of the pet-friendly properties, cost was their number one priority, followed by form/style/function and location. As you will find from the case study, choosing the top vertice is not without a fair amount of trade offs and the ultimate decision is, "Will we return to the same place next year?"
One of the first topics that comes up in almost any initial snowbird conversation is housing. Where are you staying? How long will you be here and do you like your place?
The goal, of course, is that you or your friends and acquaintances find your warm weather homes to be charming, clean, efficient, affordable and a great value. But what if that isn't the case?
Our Minnesota friends, Maryann and Kyle resided in a beautiful 1,900 sq foot 3 BR / 3 BA gulf front condo for many years. We got to know them as very lovely neighbors/friends who were living in our same 16 unit complex located in Miramar Beach, Florida. Then the cost of housing at the small complex increased significantly and Maryann and Kyle decided to try a new place in a different neighborhood this season.
Online Maryann found a beautifully renovated 1 BR / 1 BA unit that is not located on the beach. It's in a 210 unit complex not too far from the downtown Destin, Florida area. A ground floor unit with a pond view, it is pet friendly and was much less expensive than the spacious gulf front condo. They were able to reserve the place for two and a half months, which is longer than previous years, yet they were able to allocate a significantly smaller housing budget. Happy for an extended stay and to cut costs, Maryann and Kyle eagerly anticipated moving into their newly renovated and updated condo.
No online exterior photos were provided other than the view from the patio towards the small pond, but the interior photos show a very tastefully decorated, fully updated 750 square foot unit.
Upon arrival to the new neighborhood, Maryann and Kyle realized the dated condo buildings are typical of the 1970's. Upon doing a little research, Maryann found the community's sales prices are comparatively very low for the region, such as in the $100,000 range, although they are rising into the $200,000 range.
In December, 2022, the median listing price of real estate in Miramar Beach, Florida per realtor.com is $774.9k with a median listing price per square foot of $554 and median sold price of $575k. Per realtor.com, in December, 2022, the median listing price of real estate in Destin, Florida is $624.8k with a median listing price per square foot of $483 and median sold price of $525k.
Maryann said, "My first impression of the buildings was not good. Multiple units with eight small units in each building, four up and four down. They are not attractive on the outside. I met a sub contractor on my walk who is overseeing a reno. She said some units are full time residents and others are being sold and remodeled to rent. The pool areas are a mess. This lady said they were to do the pool eventually. It appears they are slowly upgrading the outside areas." In addition to the currently non-usable outdoor pool, the community has a very long common area pond and tennis courts.
The reality is that although Maryann and Kyle's rental is beautifully renovated with light colored beachy plank flooring throughout; an updated bathroom with glass walk-in shower and eye-catching black and white tile flooring; a gorgeous all-white kitchen with stainless steel appliances adjacent to a living area with sofa, coffee table, area rug and large flat screen tv, the change isn't all for the better.
After three weeks, Maryann and Kyle have not yet encountered any snowbirds in their new community and they don't have much of anything in common with the neighbors. Maryann said, "There's lots of barking dogs. The neighbors above and to our side are not the best. The people above don't seem to go to bed until 2:00 am and cigarette smoke wafts over from next door. We hear profanity and they keep strange hours -- not everyone here, I am sure."
She continued, "Our new owner is very nice and helpful, but there's not much storage. She offered to empty the owner's closet for us. There are a total of only seven spoons, although the kitchen items are nice. We do run the dishwasher more often or wash by hand."
Kyle stated, "This place wasn't set up for a two month stay. The storage for a long term renter is poor. We've had to get creative with storage."
"The washer and dryer are outside in a closet connected to the condo," per Maryann. "I already bought a small rug to put by the sliding doors as we go in and out a lot. I also bought a squeegee for the shower doors. The cupboards are very high so we might buy a step stool. Not a lot of things are available for baking and there's no hand-held mixer." The living area features a lovely new sofa, round coffee table and a beautiful blue and white area rug, but there's no easy chair in which to recline.
Maryann says, "What is here is very good taste. The bed is comfortable and the place is very clean."
When she and Kyle take neighborhood walks, instead of idyllic suburban strolls along the beach, because of the proximity to a very busy five-lane thoroughfare, "There's no nice place to walk" according to Maryann. "There's no sidewalks and it's so noisy from the traffic on the busy road, it's nearly impossible to converse."
"We're both kind of sad about not being by the water, but we'll make the best of it." Maryann added, "We are comfortable here in this small space and Kyle and I have been lost in reading, devouring books one after another. We miss the water view. The sounds of the waves. When the weather is OK, we drive to the beach and walk, it's always pleasant."
The verdict? "We miss the snowbird types. We knew quickly we will not be back here next year."
-- William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, read from a note in Act II, Scene VII
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Be prepared for planned and unplanned situations such as the loss of cell service in rural areas. Don’t forget to take photos to document the beautiful scenery. Snowbird Checklist: Road Trip Essentials Organize for a Successful Snowbird Road Trip Now that Thanksgiving, the Christmas crush …
How to Pack Your Vehicle Strategic Organization for a Successful Snowbird Road Trip The first season we became snowbirds, I made a huge mistake. I did not get involved in packing the vehicle, only the stuff that goes in the vehicle. I was naively happy …
The December holidays are all about something extra: extra festive, extra special and hopefully not too much extra work. Our city's Parks and Recreation Department offers community cooking classes and I was once again fortunate to learn from one of the
area's best instructors, professional chef Patrick Whetstone.
The small bite hors d'oeuvres we learned to make are beautifully presented, which is much of what makes this time of year so special. Everything is more sparkly and has an element of being that much better. More flavor, high quality ingredients and extra attention to make the presentation gorgeous. These small bite recipes accommodate a variety of dietary requests: plant-based, meat eaters, cheese lovers and keto-friendly. You can adjust the quantities to your preference, the number of pieces is only an estimate, subject to many variables. For less stress, make at least some of the components a day or two in advance or purchase items you prefer not to make such as Parmesan crisps. Chef's tip: cooked food that will be chilled, such as the beef tenderloin and butternut squash relish can be a little more over seasoned when heated because it will become more subdued when chilled.
All four recipes are delicious, easy and most definitely suitable for snowbird entertaining. Not only are these hors d'oeuvres festive for the holidays, they are great for any event year round. The recipes shown here are written based on my notes from the class presented by Chef Whetstone. Bon appétit!
Snowbird meals tend to be much simpler, using fewer ingredients and a very limited selection of appliances and gadgets to prepare them. Choose the freshest, highest quality ingredients and find alternate ways to make your favorite recipes. Forget about what you don't have to cook with, instead focus on what you can accomplish with what you do have. - Midlife Snowbird
24 - 36 Parmesan crisps, homemade or purchased
2 - 3 oz Prosciutto ham, torn into pieces
1/3 cup orange marmalade or apricot preserves, or to taste
Celery leaves for garnish
*Pre-made Parmesan crisps are typically available in the cheese or deli section of the grocery or specialty food store
Homemade Parmesan crisps recipe or use pre-made crisps from the grocery
Assemble Prosciutto ham piled on the Parmesan crisps, then top with a dollop of preserves and a celery leaf for garnish. Serve at room temperature.
6 oz. beef tenderloin, room temperature
4 oz. blue cheese wedge or crumbles, room temperature
1/4 c. heavy cream
2 - 3 t. fresh chives or to taste, sliced thin
2 T. canola oil, approx
Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Kosher salt to taste
ALTERNATE CHEESES: Brie, goat or fresh mozzarella
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine blue cheese and heavy cream. Set aside.
Heavily coat all sides of the beef tenderloin with salt and pepper.
Heat oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and bring to temperature.
Sear tenderloin in hot oil on all sides until there is a crust on every surface.
Place skillet with beef tenderloin in oven to finish cooking, about 5 to 7 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check until it reaches the desired temperature: rare, medium rare, medium, well done etc.
Remove meat from oven and let it rest about 5 - 10 minutes.
Slice beef tenderloin against the grain into 1/4" wide pieces.
Pipe or spoon blue cheese mixture into the middle of each slice of tenderloin. Fold over and place mini plastic fork into it to hold it in place.
Garnish with fresh chopped chives.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
*Mini plastic party forks can be purchased at party supply stores such as Party City
1 - 2 English cucumbers
Honey ginger balsamic vinegar to taste
3/4 c. cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 c. heavy cream
Zest from one lemon
Zest from one lime
Fresh chives to taste
Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Kosher salt to taste
Combine cream cheese and heavy cream, then add salt and pepper to taste plus lemon and lime zest. Set aside.
Remove ends and 50% of the peel from cucumber/s, slice into approximately 1/4" rounds.
Pipe or spread a dollop of the whipped cream cheese onto the top of each cucumber slice.
Top with fresh chives. Drizzle with honey ginger balsamic vinegar or a flavored balsamic vinegar of your choice.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
One loaf pre-sliced baguette bread
1/4 c. Extra virgin olive oil or as needed
Kosher salt to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Brush tops of sliced baguette with olive oil
Bake on sheet pan approx 3 - 5 minutes or until toasted, the center of the bread should be soft. Do not over bake.
Remove from oven, sprinkle with Kosher salt, set aside to cool
3 cups fresh butternut squash, small diced
1/4 c. red onion, diced fine
2 T. Balsamic vinegar
2 T. Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh basil, approx 5 - 6 leaves, sliced chiffonade style
Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Preheat skillet to medium-high. Add oil to skillet and allow oil to get hot.
Pan fry butternut squash in skillet until it is softened and brown, approx 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add onions to squash, season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill mixture in the refrigerator.
Prior to serving, add balsamic vinegar to the butternut squash mixture. Re-season if necessary.
Set basil chiffonade aside until ready to assemble.
2 T. butter, room temperature
1 T. garlic, chopped (from a jar has stronger flavor)
1/2 c. onion, diced
2 fl oz. white wine
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 c. vegetable stock
3 c. arugula
Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Sweat onions and garlic in butter in saute pan.
Add garbanzo beans and white wine, cook until wine reduces.
Add stock, let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain liquid into bowl and reserve it.
Puree bean mixture with arugula until smooth in food processor OR use an immersion blender. Add reserved liquid as needed to achieve a spreadable texture. The desired consistency is wet sand, it should not be runny. Adjust reserved liquid if more is needed to obtain the proper thickness. Re-season as necessary.
Chill mixture in the refrigerator.
Assemble crostini with a thick slather of the Arugula hummus mixture. Top with butternut squash relish. Garnish with basil chiffonade. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
-- Jack Fitzgerald, Canadian Author
One consideration of buying a second home is whether to retain or down size one’s Northern home [Covington Lake, Northeast Indiana] Pros and Cons of Owning Two Homes 15 Point Checklist Before Buying a Second Property Many snowbirds think about owning a vacation home or …
Leeward Key in the Destin area features stunning views of sugary white sandy beach of the Emerald Coast Cost of Snowbird Rentals: Beach, Desert, City/Metro Comparison of rental rates for houses, casitas and condos in three different areas Many snowbirds rent housing in a warm …
Travel in recreational vehicles, known as "RV's," has always been a big thing, but with the 2020 global pandemic, it has grown in popularity even more. You don't even have to be a snowbird to envision life in a recreational vehicle. Families of all ages are exploring America in RV's for old-fashioned, adventurous road trip vacations the way it used to be.
The obvious reasons for the camping surge include being self-contained in one's own housing unit to avoid the spread and risks of contracting Covid-19. However, there are numerous other examples of why RV's and snowbirds go together like sunshine and southern states. Recreational vehicles allow flexibility in travel plans, ownership vs. renting a place and control over one's environment. No one but you need come and go from your RV or decide when and where you want to be. However, there are serious considerations before making a purchase and hitting the open road. There's a huge difference between a week in an RV compared to an entire winter.
RV's can be very expensive to own and operate; therefore, a realistic budget is essential. However, there's much more to mull over before jumping into the RV lifestyle. I've segmented into categories to make it easier to weigh the pros and cons.
Many people envision how they think their life in an RV would be, but actual extended time living in an RV are two entirely different realities. The best cautionary advice I can offer is try it out first before making any sort of commitment.
A neighbor once told me she and her husband planned to sell their 3,500 square foot home, get rid of their possessions and buy a recreational vehicle so they can travel the country like they've always dreamed. Warning bells went off when I learned they had zero experience with the RV lifestyle. They did sell their home, but a drastic lifestyle change to this level is never a good idea without trying it out first.
RV dreams and perceptions: Life on the open road exploring the country, meeting new people, enjoying a variety of beautiful scenery, uncrowded, spacious private campsites with quality amenities and freedom!
RV reality: Compact interior space, lack of storage, tiny galley and bathroom, limited miniature appliances, laundromats, emptying the sewage sludge, and the sights and sounds of neighbors with not much space in-between rigs.
When I was a teen, my family traveled the country in several different styles of campers. We spent summer vacations on the road anywhere from one to three weeks at a time and visited almost all of the major national landmarks. It was fun and exciting, yet it cured me of ever wanting to adapt the lifestyle. I know an RV is not a good fit for me, so I'm sharing my extended family's
experiences. Everyone has different objectives, needs and skills and must prioritize their own wishes.
Before becoming snowbirds, my in-laws were considering purchasing property vs. the flexibility of being able to move around different areas in an RV. Since then, they have tried out several options including purchasing several 30 foot trailers, a motor coach with slide outs, a fifth wheel with slide outs and most recently, renting a park model in southern Florida. Each has pros and cons.
Before getting too swept up in your RV dreams, determine if you and/or your spouse or partner are comfortable driving the rig of your choice.
Most people don't have professional driving experience. It certainly is a very helpful skill, yet you may not have thought about the need for a commercial driver's license, which may be required even for non-commercial vehicles. For recreational vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GCWR) over 26,000 pounds including a towed unit with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds, a commercial driver's license (CDL) is required in the United States per federal and state law.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) includes the maximum safe weight for travel which includes:
--The empty vehicle
--Passengers
--Fuel
--Cargo
--Accessories
--Tow trailer
--Tow vehicle if applicable
If you are not comfortable with the thought of safely maneuvering your travel trailer or motor coach through the terrain and weather conditions to arrive at your destination, this is probably not the best choice for you.
Along those same lines of thought, are you mechanical in any way? Having an interest and ability to make accurate technical assessments and small repairs are very helpful skills for RV snowbirds.
Health issues such as impaired vision or back pain make driving an RV even more daunting. No one is aging backwards, so don't forget to think about how many years you will be able or want to drive and set up your rig. Not only that, but can you and your spouse easily get up and down the three to four steps to the door of your trailer or motor coach? Plus several more steps once inside the motor coach? It's enough to get safely in and out without the added burden of lugging groceries, pets, luggage, and laundry.
As with just about anything, budget sets the tone for what you can lease or purchase. If you aren't sure which direction to go with the size and type of RV, rent a unit similar to what you are considering for a shorter term prior to departing for an entire season. Love or hate it, you'll soon know how you feel. A candid conversation with your financial advisor/s is smart before making any permanent decisions. Do not get in over your head because used RV's will more than likely lose value if you try to resell them.
Look at the options from top to bottom: Motor coach? Trailer? Fifth wheel? New? Pre-owned? There's a wide range of prices depending on your criteria. Surprisingly, I found web sites offering used trailer campers for around $5,000 and decent-looking used motor coaches for $75,000. These options are not going to have the amenities you may be dreaming of such as updated decor, modern furniture, slide-outs and an in-unit washer and dryer. If you're looking for a spacious new RV, the prices will be reflected accordingly and this is where you should compare the costs and benefits of owning a recreational vehicle versus owning a condo, park model or second home.
Who will be driving the recreational vehicle? Is the driver comfortable with parking; backing up and maneuvering tight spaces such as small fuel centers in rural towns; mountainous terrain; heavy traffic and foul weather situations? Can the driver pass a CDL test if needed? If there will only be one driver, how many hours is realistic for each day on the road? The larger and heavier the RV, the longer it will take to get to your destination. If there's only one driver and that person doesn't feel well, will you be prepared to shelter-in-place until able to resume again?
A trailer home is typically pulled by an appropriately matched pick-up truck. This is great for being able to leave the trailer at your RV park to run errands as needed. Motor coaches need to tow a small vehicle for snowbird purposes because no one wants to have to tear down their camp site just to run out for groceries in their motor coach. If you don't already own a small towable vehicle or pick-up truck, add that to your budget and don't forget to factor it into the fuel efficiency and GVWR.
Fuel, toll roads, weigh station fees, food, lodging, maintenance and more should be thoroughly accounted for. The more weight and wheels on your RV will add to the cost of the tolls and weigh stations and it can also affect the lot rental rate at your destination. Fuel efficiency isn't typically on my mind when I drive around my city, but it certainly would be if I'm driving a motor coach across the country and back.
To the inexperienced RV snowbird, it may not be immediately obvious that when you travel to and from your winter destination, there will likely be a need to stay somewhere en route at least one or two+ nights.
Option A is to stay in your own RV, right? Simple enough. Except you are road weary and campgrounds are not necessarily easily accessible from a major interstate highway. If you book a place or park in a rest area, it will be necessary to either set up your RV or camper, then tear it all down before hitting the road again. Or do without the full hook-up and spend days on the road without access to electricity, water and sewage. Depending on your RV, experience and the type of site, it can take anywhere from 15 to 75 minutes just to set up.
Option B is to stay in a hotel, which adds to your costs, and the parking lot needs to be able to accommodate your recreational vehicle. Make sure the hotel is pet friendly if you have your fur baby with you. Option B is what my husband's family chose to do for their three day trek from Northern Ohio to the southern border of Texas.
What kind of travel route will you be taking? In theory it sounds great to meander to and from your snowbird destination, taking side trips to see the charming sights. In reality, can your motor coach make it to these side trips? Most people wouldn't even attempt to drive a 30 foot trailer or motor coach too far off the main highway if not entirely confident the road conditions would accommodate it. Some remote areas of the country, particularly in Southwestern states don't have travel plazas every 50 miles. Can your RV rig make it between fuel centers in less populated areas?
Prior to departure, you should have your RV and tow vehicle thoroughly checked out by a qualified technician. However, if you have mechanical problems en route, will you be able to get your rig serviced within a fairly quick timeline? Parts can be tricky to get, but that could be the least of your mechanical problems. Getting a "tow" to a travel plaza, finding a qualified mechanic with proper diagnostic technology and a place that is open on the weekends or late at night may not be readily available. No one ever has flat tires or mechanical problems when it's convenient.
Do you have a place to store your RV in the off season? If you live in a city or neighborhood with a restrictive homeowner's association (HOA), storage costs will add to the budget. Rural residents have an improved chance to park their unit on their property if they have the acreage or out buildings to accommodate their home on wheels.
What kind of RV community do you envision? Mountains? Desert? Woodland? Open sky? Lake? River? Beach? What about the size of the place? Small and intimate? Large and varied? ADA-accessible sites? There's many options available at several price points.
Truthfully, I thought renting space with any sort of beach or ocean view was a long shot, but an online search shows it is available for a price. In Northwest Florida not far from Destin, there is a large resort community, Camp Gulf, with 16 lots for recreational vehicles to stay right on the sand of the beach. Amazing! This year, they advertise a winter monthly rate of approximately $1,325, which is not cheap, but I didn't even think it was possible to camp on the beach. Of note, beach lots at this resort do not permit dogs due to local health regulations.
Read the online reviews. You can learn a lot from the comments for any given RV community and it's an eye-opener. Everything from comments about the management style to the size of the pool, maintenance noise in the early mornings as well as nearby amenities, it's all out there. If the same complaints keep coming up, look into it further and find out if the recurring problems have since been addressed.
Much of the appeal of RV communities is the network of residents of the community. If you plan to stay awhile and develop friendships, choose your community wisely. If you prefer traveling to many places for shorter visits at each one, you can try out a variety of communities without too much emotional investment.
With the current global pandemic, reservations are high in demand, so plan accordingly. Many communities offer winter rate discounts if you book multiple months. Read the fine print, it isn't uncommon to require your rig be onsite by January 1st to qualify for monthly rates through the month of May if you plan to stay during the most popular dates.
Rates and cancellation terms are important to be aware of. Read the policies, terms, deposit, add-on fees, tax rates and penalties carefully. Your rate may be charged based on the date of arrival, not the date advertised at the time of your reservation. Don't assume your rate is locked in unless your signed contract specifically says it is. Most places will not offer a refund for departing ahead of your paid date and you may be penalized or unwelcome to come back if you do not depart on time.
This may come as a surprise, but the age of your RV may cause it to be excluded from some communities. There may be restrictions on how many people are allowed per lot (ie, two) without incurring additional fees. Only one additional vehicle is typically allowed per site. Failure to comply with the rules could result in a hefty fine and/or removal from the park without refund. Many communities state on their web sites that they strictly enforce the rules.
Keep in mind, even with winter rates, your lot rent can run as much as $1,500 per month for an RV community such as Geronimo RV Park, in Miramar Beach Florida. Per their web site, their community is affordable and this may be in part because there is no onsite pool, rec room, gym or playground and it is about a 7 to 10 minute two-block walk to the public beach access. Daily rates for September 2020 through January 2021 at Geronimo are shown as $72 for a full hook-up, paved pull-through site.
Military, AAA and other discounts may be available in the off-season, but don't expect discounts during prime season other than possibly a 3% cash discount.
Many consider the perfect RV camp site to be shaded, spacious, paved, private and level with access to full hook-ups. Generally, quality amenities are preferred vs. quantity.
What amenities are important to you? Onsite laundry? Onsite sundries store? Clean, modern restrooms? Full hook-ups? Cable and high speed wi-fi? Security such as a gated community? A heated pool? Hot tub? Club house? A beautiful, shady, flat lot with landscaping? Community organized social events?
Regarding the greater community, do you want access to golf? Tennis? Biking and hiking trails? Shopping? Restaurants? Entertainment? Grocery stores? Fuel centers? Craft breweries, pubs and wineries? Parks and waterways? Hospitals? Churches? Banks?
Think about the activities of your daily life, how you like to relax and what is most important for the community amenities that will work within your budget.
Not every camping community allows pets. Or they may restrict pets to the type, breed, number and size/weight. Do your homework before you arrive so there's no surprises. Is there adequate space for your pet? Can the pet easily climb into and out of your rig? Onto your bed and the furniture? Is there space for the pet to stretch out and sleep? If pets are stressed, they won't do well and likely neither will you.
Pets should never be left unattended in an RV for more than a few minutes, there's too much that can go wrong with AC or the power going out and temperatures can quickly increase to unsafe levels.
Can you live in a 200 square foot space for one, three or six months of the year? This is a big issue not to be taken lightly. Think about it. Perhaps you like to hang out with the neighbors, stay up late, watch TV and sleep in and your travel companion likes to retire early and get up early. This may work fine at home, but in a small space, it's not so easy since it's harder to get away from each other. Sharing one small sink, shower and commode in one tiny bathroom is another huge adjustment.
Small spaces can bring couples together, but it can also heighten frustration and tension. If the weather is inclement for a period of days or weeks, will being indoors all the time drive you crazy? On TV, they try to make tiny houses look appealing, yet no one ever says what the success rate of actually living in one is for more than a month.
Most RV communities offer parking for your motor home or trailer plus one vehicle. Guests and guest parking are typically restricted and some places also restrict the number of people permitted to stay on a camp site. For snowbirds, this is less likely of a concern unless you decide to host friends and family from home.
Boats and RV's require the most creative storage due to necessity. Hooks, pegs, Velcro® and other organizational gadgets help maximize space, as well as multi-use functionality of your cargo. Much thought should be put into how and what should be packed with only the most hard-working items to be included. Items must be able to be secured when in transit for safety and to prevent breakage. Child-proof locks are the norm on cabinet doors. If you are lucky enough to own a unit with a small closet and under-the-bed dresser drawers, there won't be much space for clothes or shoes as in your northern home. If you typically keep shoes, laundry, a pet bed and other things on the floor, you'll probably be tripping over them in your recreational vehicle.
Many people eat out a lot and this is a viable option for many RV snowbirds who live in a community with plenty of options. For those who primarily cook their meals, it's a huge consideration. Tight counter space and storage, plus limited compact appliances such as a range and refrigerator make it very difficult to prepare meals the way you would in a traditional home. More frequent trips to get supplies need to be factored in.
Outdoor life is a major part of the RV lifestyle, and that includes cooking over an open campfire or grilling on a camp stove. Picnic tables provide functional dining space that often is in short supply indoors. If your plans primarily include outdoor cooking to free up space and keep the heat out of the interior, inclement weather is not ideal. As mentioned before, are you able and willing to take food, supplies and dishes up and down the steps each time you prepare an outdoor meal?
Do you mind washing dishes by hand? If not, good, but it's another consideration of preparing meals in your recreational vehicle.
On what kind and size of bed will you be sleeping? If you and your spouse are accustomed to separate bedrooms because someone snores and/or has a CPAP machine, can you make it work with a shared double or queen-sized bed? It's almost unheard of to find an RV with a king-sized bed unless it has slide-outs. Tall people need to make sure the bed is long enough to accommodate them. The mattress and hopefully box springs need to be reasonably comfortable.
Motor homes with the bed above the cab present challenges such as climbing into or out of it, as well as making the bed or changing the sheets.
If your RV has air conditioning, are you able to sleep with the possibly loud hum of the AC running all night? AC in RV's tends to be difficult to evenly regulate, so you may alternate between being too hot or too chilly. If your RV doesn't have AC, are you able to sleep in a hot, humid or stuffy environment?
One more important aspect to sleeping in your RV, if it isn't completely level, it isn't much fun to feel like you're going to roll onto the floor or into the wall.
Brooms, mops, hand-held vacs and disposable paper towels are the norm for recreational vehicles. Laundry is typically accomplished at an onsite or nearby laundromat, but some motor coaches have very compact stacked washers/dryers in them. Everything, including leaves, dirt and mud, tends to track into your RV at a more noticeable rate when the space is small. Do you have a plan of where and how you'll get the ocean salt or dessert sand washed off the exterior of your rig?
What security measures are important to you? Some RV resorts offer gated access, but even with a gate, adequate security isn't a given. Besides obvious methods such as locking all of your doors and windows, keeping cash and valuables at home and/or out of sight and being vigilant, there's other strategies. Consider upgrading your standard locks and adding a camera system designed for RV's. Thoroughly check all state and local laws regarding carrying firearms for each state you plan to traverse.
Privacy is another huge consideration, which I've listed last, but is by no means least of the priorities. Are you OK with living within earshot next to multiple neighbors in every direction?
For those who like the social life of RV communities, this is a fantastic benefit. There's a comaraderie that neighbors develop when living in close quarters. People get to know each other much more easily, share meals, experiences, stories and gain a new network of friends who truly care about each other.
However, the flip side is maybe you don't want to wave "hello" or have spontaneous drop-in visitors when sitting in your lawn chair reading a book. Worse, maybe there's a barking dog or a loud neighbor -- or perhaps you are the loud neighbor -- who becomes annoying. If you are having a heated disagreement with your spouse, are you both able to keep it off the radar and not raise your voices?
Before jumping into the snowbird RV lifestyle, seek input from others who have experience and read everything you can find online and from other sources. Many RV snowbirds absolutely love the sense of adventure, the freedom and the social connections. They are passionate and willing to take chances. If this is you, consider giving it a try. If it isn't a good fit, you can always make adjustments, such as eventually moving into a park model, traditional mobile home or even a condo or single family home. But you'll never know until you try.
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Consumables such as beach towels, local craft beverages and specialty food items are great options for someone who is not easy to buy for Snowbird Gift Guide 75 Best Gifts, Souvenirs for Yourself and Your Home Team Shopping for souvenirs, mementos, keepsakes and gifts …