This is our first winter in Yuma. We previously spent 2 in the Rio Grande Valley near McAllen, TX & last year near Lakeland, FL.
Yuma and the RGV have many similarities. There are tons of RV resorts/parks in both areas. There is a sense that the communities welcome there "Winter Texans" and "Winter Home" visitors. They also share nearby Mexican communities with lots of dentists, pharmacies and trinket sales. Both are also feeling some affects of reduced RVers/snowbirds and offer lots of empty places you can get into on short notice. Of course, the more popular ones are more likely to fill up.
The RGV seemed much more influenced by Mexican patronage and service. The Walmarts and Sam's Clubs were extremely busy with Mexican customers. It had tons restaurants ranging from the very high quality restaurants through very good, "hole in the wall" and cheap tacorias. It also provided many more shopping opportunities that my wife demands.
Medical facilities were abundant also.
Weather was typically warm and by the end of March you start feeling the heat settle in. South winds are normal and typically require proper anchoring of any awnings.
The main E-W routes of both Business 83 and I-2 are busy during rush hours. Rock chips to windshields are the norm also. Driving in the area can be challenging but once you get the hang of how they do things there you get use to it.
Electricity and propane costs when we were there 2 & 3 years ago were not bad.
OTOH, Yuma is much smaller in comparison in about any way you can compare it to the RGV. This year has been exceptionally cooler and wetter than normal but from my perspective still MUCH better than most other places we can afford or might like. This is really a desert area so even when temps get warm the nights are pleasantly cool. Given the surrounding desert areas strong winds can whip up sand into the air causing some health issues for those susceptible to it. This is not a daily or even weekly occurrence but our first 2 days we arrived here made me question my choice. fortunately, for the nearly 6 week since, it has been much better. Otherwise, I would say winds in Yuma are similar to the RGV.
One other factor is the large number of BLM areas through the area and SW in general. If you are a boondocks, there are certainly lots of options here that are not available in the RGV.
Dining options are much more restrictive. There are some nice places but not much on the higher end. According Sandee her shopping opportunities are somewhat limited.
We haven't had a need yet but the variety of medical facilities is also much more limited compared to the RGV. Like the RGV, they do have a VA center here too.
BTW, if you have pets you will also see a smaller number of vet services here. You will want to check in to a vet early because the vets around here won't see a pet on an emergency basis unless you have already established a connection with them. Emergency vet services are rather "thin" here.
Traffic is NOTHING like the RGV. It is easy to get around Yuma by either I-8 or business I-8. There are some spots of construction through out town but easy to get around once you get the lay of the land.
You do have access to some casinos if that is to your liking. However, according to some of the locals that I play poker with in the resorts they might be "local" friendly with regards to poker itself.
Yuma seems to have been particularly hard hit with the change of RVer demographic and even the real estate bubble in general. There are some abandoned RV dealerships and a couple sites that looked like they were planned RV communities. However, there are still several RV parts places and services available.
Finally, the major employer here is the Yuma Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS). There is also a significant number of employees at the Yuma proving grounds east of the foot hills. We are staying at the Palms RV Resort that is east of MCAS and helicopters transit to the proving grounds over our resort and we can hear and see the multitudes of jets "cranking and banking" in the same direction it can be noisy. That being said, I LOVE the sound of these operations having been both military and FAA air traffic controller. I wouldn't move for anything because I'm a plane watcher even in retirement.
FWIW, our stay in FL was WONDERFUL but it was an entirely different feeling for us. While there is a clear strand of snowbirds that go there, we never felt it as strongly as in the RGV or Yuma.
All and all, we are enjoying our stay here. We chose Yuma to end our first mountain west loop and as a starting point for our west coast loop this summer. We also have friends that are and will be here. If our full time travels bring us back to this area in need of a winter stop, we would not be shy of coming back.
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