Fall is right here. It is a huge time of yr for RV snowbirds, as they’re all on the point of make a significant transfer.
Unsure what precisely I imply by that? Properly you’re in the precise place, as a result of I’m an RV snowbird of kinds myself, and I’m right here to clarify precisely what it’s that makes us snowbirds and why we do what we do. I’ll even embody some recommendations on the way to be part of our flock in case the thought sounds interesting to you!
What’s a Snowbird?
First, let’s focus on what precisely an RV snowbird is. These are individuals who sometimes spend the summers within the northern a part of the nation to keep away from the worst of the warmth, after which use an RV emigrate south for the winter season identical to birds do. They chase good climate and keep away from ice and snow.
Some snowbirds have a home up north and solely spend winters of their RV down south. Others are of their RV all yr lengthy. Some depart their RVs in storage within the south for summer time; others take them house with them.
Many RV snowbirds head south starting in October and November. Others wait till after they’ve spent the vacations with household. Some meander south slowly, stopping to see issues alongside the best way, whereas others rush south, their solely objective being to get away from the chilly.
There aren’t actually many guidelines surrounding the way to be an RV snowbird. The one actual necessities to suit into this class are that you simply stay in an RV within the south through the chilly months.
The place Do Snowbirds Go for Winter?
What does it imply to go south, precisely? The place do these RV snowbirds spend their winter months? Truthfully, there isn’t a one place that every one snowbirds flock to for the winter season. That mentioned, many snowbirds like to go to Florida, Arizona, south Texas, and southern California to make the most of the comparatively heat climate in these locations.
Particular cities that see quite a lot of RV snowbirds embody:
- Gilbert, AZ
- Mesa, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- Shock, AZ
- Fort Myers, FL
- Bradenton, FL
- Naples, FL
- Sarasota, FL
- Palm Springs, CA
- Palm Desert, CA
- Desert Sizzling Springs, CA
- San Diego, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- Galveston, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- South Padre Island, TX
Suggestions for Changing into an RV Snowbird
Prepared to affix the flock and develop into an RV snowbird your self? Listed here are my prime suggestions for getting began.
Select Your RV Correctly
First, be sure you select your RV properly. Decide one thing well-built that may face up to chilly temperatures, as a result of some snowbird locations do see freezing temps every now and then. Should you plan to sit down in a single park for the entire winter, a towable RV may be your greatest guess. Those that transfer typically would possibly choose a motorhome as an alternative.
I like to recommend going to an RV present so you possibly can really get a really feel for every RV’s construct high quality and format earlier than you determine what’s greatest for you.
Set a Finances
As a snowbird, it may be simple to overspend through the winter months. It’s essential that you simply set a finances on your months away out of your sticks-and-bricks house and persist with it. Happily, there are tons of the way to chop prices and nonetheless have time down south.
Know The right way to Put together
Should you plan to maintain your sticks-and-bricks home, you’ll need to prep it earlier than you permit it sitting for 3–6 months. Listed here are the steps you’ll have to take:
- Carry any free objects (garden decor or furnishings) inside.
- Clear gutters so melting snow can move.
- Change worn climate stripping.
- Fill any gaps or holes within the exterior of your own home with metal wool.
- Shut off your water.
- Carry out furnace upkeep, together with altering the filter.
- Flip the warmth down, however not off.
- Flip off the water heater.
- Unplug all home equipment.
- Clear out the fridge.
- Put all meals in pest-proof containers.
- Open the dishwasher, washer, and fridge to forestall mildew, mildew, and smells.
- Shut the hearth flue.
- Open all inside doorways to permit air to flow into.
- Cease paper supply.
- Arrange name forwarding from your private home telephone to your mobile phone.
- Let the financial institution know you’ll be touring.
- Speak to your insurance coverage agent about your plans so the right adjustments will be made to your coverage.
- Arrange on-line fee choices for all payments.
- Make a plan for remedy refills together with your physician.
- Organize for a home sitter to test on issues, water crops, and many others.
- Arrange timers for inside lights so they arrive on within the evenings.
- Rent a snow removing service.
- Safe valuables in a secure deposit field.
- Set up a house safety system.
- Arrange a temperature monitor that may warn you within the furnace isn’t working correctly.
Determine Out The right way to Get Mail
Even in case you pay all payments on-line, getting mail remains to be essential. Make a plan for a way you’ll obtain your mail whilst you’re away. Most put up workplaces will maintain mail whilst you’re out of city, however many will solely do that for as much as 30 days. Should you’ll be gone longer, you possibly can have somebody decide your mail up from the put up workplace and ask for one more 30 days every month.
It’s additionally doable to request that the put up workplace ahead your mail to your southern deal with—or to an deal with with a service reminiscent of Escapees, which might then ahead the mail to you wherever you occur to be.
Guide Your RV Spot Early
There are millions of snowbirds that make their method south every winter. Due to this, the most well-liked snowbird locations ebook up early. Be sure to analysis RV parks and make a reservation (or collection of reservations) wherever you need to be as early as doable. Failing to take action may depart you with nowhere to go.
Should you do miss out on reserving an RV park, there may be the choice of boondocking with different snowbirds in Arizona or SoCal. Simply be sure that you and your rig are prepared for long-term boondocking earlier than you head out.
Able to Roost?
RV snowbirds are a intelligent breed. They’ve discovered a method to have the perfect of each worlds to allow them to take pleasure in infinite summer time and adventures. Why not be part of them this winter to see if the snowbird way of life is for you?
