Help 1st time Southwest as snowbird

[Viki]

Hi all,
Last year after my husband passed I decided to take early retirement penalty and do our dream of snowbirding and traveling. I kept our park model in Michigan, close to the kids for May-Oct. Made mistake and got a fifth wheel and truck instead of a MH. Did SC and Fl last winter. Want Texas or Arizona this year. I have Thousand Trails & Passport America. My biggest problem is alone I have a hard time backing in, hooking/unhooking & leveling 5th wheel. Usually can find a nice soul to give me a hand, I always make a thank you dessert or dinner. That causes me to want to stay put month or 2, I'm staying with the kids at their house until after Thanksgiving then heading South looking for is cheap monthly rate, warm weather, good verizon signal for cell & jet pack (internet), heated pool is a must I do aqua aerobics almost everyday, fishing close by would be great but I can go few months without going into withdrawal, dog friendly no size/breed restriction my old boy is a lil tubby close to 50lbs, some activities like bingo, pot lucks and dances would be nice, it can get lonely traveling alone in the evenings. TT has a great deal for members on their Rio Grand Encore resorts this winter under $500 month wt electric included. Narrowed it down to 2 then found out all 10 of the resorts in the Rio Grand are 55+ I'm only 48 :-(

[Kuzzy]

Use a little white lie. I'm sure these places are more concerned about yard apes.


Dave

[Viki]

I thought about that but a lot of these parks you have to show your membership card and photo ID plus then I'd be spending most/all winter as youngest person at park. It's nice once in awhile to have younger/closer to my age people to hand out with

[Starsekr]

DW and I visited Yuma, AZ area last Thanksgiving. Very active snowbird population, surprised at all the pot-lucks, parks with socials (and bands!), not too far to run into Phoenix or San Diego for a couple of days.

[Cooperhawk]

We spent time in the KOA in Tuscon last Winter and found it to be a really nice place. They even had their own restaurant. Not sure about prices though.

Lazy Days is right next door where you can trade your fifth wheel for a MH.

[joss]

i was in the same boat age wise [no longer] .....i was honest and asked them for a let....and got it..... if the park has space money talks !
now if you were 28 that might be a problem with the wives .

[WeBRVing]

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

We spent time in the KOA in Tuscon last Winter and found it to be a really nice place. They even had their own restaurant. Not sure about prices though.

Lazy Days is right next door where you can trade your fifth wheel for a MH.

X2. Stay there many times a year. Nice place and all different ages hang out there. And, like Cooperhawk said, Lazy Days is right next door. There is also an RV dealer across the street and one just up the road, so you can trade in your 5'er and go to a MH if you so desire.

Enjoy your travels.

[Buddy Boomer]

I can highly recommend the Palm Springs area. Specifically, Desert Springs RV Park near Desert Hot Springs. Nice bunch of older snowbirds and nomads like myself . Close to activities in Palm Springs and boondocking in many locations, both desert and casino. I am there now. Will be heading to Quartzite in mid December if you want to caravan or rendezvous.

[datrbone8]

Tucson might be ideal for you. It's a vibrant community with a university and lots of cultural activity (music/art/sports, etc.) You wouldn't be restricted by being around only "grey" activities. You're too young for many places that are merely snowbird destinations. How much pickleball and pot luck dinners can one person take ? LOL Friends have stayed at Voyager RV and liked it but I don't know about the heated pool requirement. Maybe check RV Park Reviews - Trusted Reviews of Campgrounds & RV Parks for places in the area.

Also, Puerto Penasco is around a 2.5 hour drive from here if you want the beach and fishing.

[WeBRVing]

Originally Posted by datrbone8

Tucson might be ideal for you. It's a vibrant community with a university and lots of cultural activity (music/art/sports, etc.) You wouldn't be restricted by being around only "grey" activities. You're too young for many places that are merely snowbird destinations. How much pickleball and pot luck dinners can one person take ? LOL Friends have stayed at Voyager RV and liked it but I don't know about the heated pool requirement. Maybe check RV Park Reviews - Trusted Reviews of Campgrounds & RV Parks for places in the area.

Also, Puerto Penasco is around a 2.5 hour drive from here if you want the beach and fishing.

I recommend steering clear of Mexico, especially being a single lady. Lots of kidnappings, etc. of U.S. citizens by narcos looking for a ransom then killing the victims or just plain RV jacking them. I'm sure others will have different opinions, but why risk it?
That said, I agree with datrbone8 that Tucson would be a good place for you to hang out for a while.

Happy travels

[datrbone8]

Originally Posted by WeBRVing

I recommend steering clear of Mexico, especially being a single lady. Lots of kidnappings, etc. of U.S. citizens by narcos looking for a ransom then killing the victims or just plain RV jacking them. I'm sure others will have different opinions, but why risk it?
That said, I agree with datrbone8 that Tucson would be a good place for you to hang out for a while.

Happy travels

Puerto Penasco is less than an hour's drive from the Arizona border on a straight, very well travelled and patrolled road. Many of my single lady friends drive it regularly with no problems. It's referred to as Arizona's beach front and you'll see more Americans and Canadians in that place than Mexicans. I've spent the last 10 years in Mexican locations far south of Rocky Point with no problems. I've lived in the Tucson area even longer than that and have never heard of a single kidnapping of an American in Puerto Penasco. Travel during the day, stay on the road and don't go to places you don't belong looking for trouble and you'll likely find none.

[WeBRVing]

Originally Posted by datrbone8

Puerto Penasco is less than an hour's drive from the Arizona border on a straight, very well travelled and patrolled road. Many of my single lady friends drive it regularly with no problems. It's referred to as Arizona's beach front and you'll see more Americans and Canadians in that place than Mexicans. I've spent the last 10 years in Mexican locations far south of Rocky Point with no problems. I've lived in the Tucson area even longer than that and have never heard of a single kidnapping of an American in Puerto Penasco. Travel during the day, stay on the road and don't go to places you don't belong looking for trouble and you'll likely find none.

Sometimes trouble finds you, even if you're not looking for it.
And yes, there have been U.S. citizens kidnapped and assaulted in Rocky Point, as well as RVs hijacked along the road to Rocky Point. I personally have seen a 5'er and it's pickup shot full of holes because it didn't stop for a cartel road block on the road to Rocky Point. I have also witnessed U.S. citizens that have been beaten and robbed in Rocky Point.
It just doesn't make the news.....
I've been way down south in Mexico prior to all the cartel violence. It's no more beautiful than places in the U.S.
There are plenty of sites and places to see in the U.S. to keep you busy for years.
With all the cartel violence in Mexico, I'll stay in the U.S.
To each his own, leave the U.S. at your own risk..........

[Lac]

Yes travel is risky wherever you go.....

"Nine motorcycle gang members were killed when a gunfight broke out between rival gangs at a restaurant in Waco, Texas, police said."

Watch out going to eat in restaurants in Texas, a gunfight might break out....and that's just the appetizer.

Please travel safely...

[WeBRVing]

True, but the Waco restaurant was reserved by the clubs for that event. Regular folks weren't allowed at the establishment while the clubs were meeting.
Also, the majority of bikers killed were shot by the police, not each other.