Fall is right here. It is a large time of 12 months for RV snowbirds, as they’re all on the brink of make a significant transfer.
Undecided what precisely I imply by that? Nicely 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 tips on how to be a part of our flock in case the concept sounds interesting to you!
What’s a Snowbird?
First, let’s focus on what precisely an RV snowbird is. These are individuals who usually 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 similar 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 12 months lengthy. Some go away their RVs in storage within the south for summer time; others take them residence 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 tips on how to be an RV snowbird. The one actual necessities to suit into this class are that you simply dwell in an RV within the south throughout 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 is no such thing as a one place that every one snowbirds flock to for the winter season. That stated, 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 loads 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
Ideas for Turning into an RV Snowbird
Prepared to hitch the flock and grow to be an RV snowbird your self? Listed below are my prime suggestions for getting began.
Select Your RV Properly
First, be sure to select your RV properly. Decide one thing well-built that may stand up to chilly temperatures, as a result of some snowbird locations do see freezing temps once in a while. Should you plan to take a seat in a single park for the entire winter, a towable RV is likely to be your greatest guess. Those that transfer usually may want a motorhome as an alternative.
I like to recommend going to an RV present so you’ll be able to really get a really feel for every RV’s construct high quality and structure earlier than you resolve what’s greatest for you.
Set a Funds
As a snowbird, it may be simple to overspend throughout the winter months. It’s necessary that you simply set a finances to your months away out of your sticks-and-bricks residence and persist with it. Thankfully, 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 have to to prep it earlier than you allow it sitting for 3–6 months. Listed below are the steps you’ll must take:
- Carry any free gadgets (garden decor or furnishings) inside.
- Clear gutters so melting snow can circulation.
- 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 stop mildew, mildew, and smells.
- Shut the fireside flue.
- Open all inside doorways to permit air to flow into.
- Cease paper supply.
- Arrange name forwarding from your property cellphone to your cellphone.
- Let the financial institution know you’ll be touring.
- Discuss to your insurance coverage agent about your plans so the right adjustments may be made to your coverage.
- Arrange on-line cost choices for all payments.
- Make a plan for treatment refills together with your physician.
- Organize for a home sitter to test on issues, water vegetation, and so on.
- Arrange timers for inside lights so they arrive on within the evenings.
- Rent a snow elimination service.
- Safe valuables in a protected deposit field.
- Set up a house safety system.
- Arrange a temperature monitor that can 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 necessary. Make a plan for the way you’ll obtain your mail when you’re away. Most publish places of work will maintain mail when you’re out of city, however many will solely do that for as much as 30 days. Should you’ll be gone longer, you’ll be able to have somebody decide your mail up from the publish workplace and ask for one more 30 days every month.
It’s additionally attainable to request that the publish workplace ahead your mail to your southern handle—or to an handle with a service resembling Escapees, which may then ahead the mail to you wherever you occur to be.
E-book Your RV Spot Early
There are literally thousands of snowbirds that make their manner south every winter. Due to this, the preferred snowbird locations ebook up early. Be sure to analysis RV parks and make a reservation (or sequence of reservations) wherever you need to be as early as attainable. Failing to take action might go away 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 certain 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 approach to have the most effective of each worlds to allow them to get pleasure from limitless summer time and adventures. Why not be a part of them this winter to see if the snowbird way of life is for you?