Accomodating warmer winter locations that are not Florida

[RvNaut]

So as I continue to plan and downsize.... where to spend those 3 to 4 months to avoid snow and freezing temps, while not shelling out rent at an RV park?

I did a search here, but all I come up with are posts about how to sustain in the winter in the cold and freezing.... I want to avoid cold and freezing and stay in the country... ( as much as I would love to take my RV to the Caribbean i just don't think that idea floats) and yes I have considered a sailboat, and if RVs keep on going up up up it may become a better option.. RV rigs i was looking at back in June for $12-15k are now $20-25k.... while sailboats have gotten cheap.. we'll see...

So,  outside of southern Florida.. is there free or affordable real warmth to be found in the States over the winter?

thanks!!

 

[skyl4rk]

Your choices are: Southern Florida, Southern Texas and Southwest Arizona.

 

[bullfrog]

Pretty much everywhere in the Arizona desert gets cold at night. Occasionally it will go just below freezing. If you full time in your RV I would highly recommend a 4 season RV or be prepared to deal with winterizing to prevent damage as eventually you will get caught off guard in cold weather. I never have gone a winter where I felt “warm” in the evenings except in South Florida. Day time temps most days in the desert I am good with just a hoodie till it warms up.

 

[RvNaut]

Nothing in Southern CA? (my guess being that it is $pendy to be there to winter over)

 

[bullfrog]

Just across the Arizona and California border at Yuma between the mountains and sand dunes is okay but busy usually. That area has been the warmest we have found.

 

[SLB_SA]

Slab City?

 

[MrNoodly]

Just across the Arizona and California border at Yuma between the mountains and sand dunes is okay but busy usually. That area has been the warmest we have found.

It's where I am right now and where I've spent the past six winters. The days are in the 70s and the nights are in the high 40s and low 50s. And since it's not Florida, it isn't humid. 

It's not too crowded so far, though the numbers have increased the past week. To balance it out, the holiday ATV crowd left Sunday evening.

 

[bullfrog]

Are you still able to dump trash and get water in the median rest area towards the dunes on the interstate?

 

[wayne49]

Imperial County CA, however, Yuma, AZ is close by with cheaper vehicle fuel and propane available. Also Walmart, etc.

An unmentioned BLM area there that has already been outed on this forum, and was used for the live Caravans back before the Plague.

Free potable water is available at the I-8 rest area near the CA/AZ border.

 

[desert_sailing]

I imagine any of the Gulf states would be just fine for winter weather...certainly consistently warmer than the SW deserts.

Keep the sailboat high on your list..imo...it was my plan A til the corona schmorona hit and delayed me from being able to shop properly.

I have a dear friend that was a former Admiral and has offered alot of guidance....well maybe not a papered admiral..but hey.. what does paper mean? She often speaks to how good the Texas gulf would be great overall.. and in Kemah tx there are tons of boats with a wide range of price.

If your cruising around those parts it may work out nicely to go check it out in your van. You may score a 2fer...a decent boat AND a great place to chill with the van.

The gulf and caribbean are easy cruising.. islands and help a few hours away. My intent was to refit a long distance sailer and play in the south pacific.. but the Admiral pointed out the advantages of the Gulf and Caribbean= easier to be rescued..LOL.. plenty of islands (safe harbors) if something goes wrong and easier to provision. Can save a ton of money at start as you don't need to refit for a blue water crossing.

Boat moorage can be super cheap/free depending on the where.. A slip for liveaboard in downtown Olympia..secured marina.is 10 bux a foot..including electricity and club house.. I am looking at 30ish something boat.. so 350 bux a month.. compare that to van costs and benefits and the true "freedom" that a boat allows.

I am eager to see what Texas has for land and sea.

 

[jacqueg]

Nothing in Southern CA?  (my guess being that it is $pendy to be there to winter over)

Plenty of people do winter over in SoCal urban areas. Problem is finding free camping.

 

[MrNoodly]

Are you still able to dump trash and get water in the median rest area towards the dunes on the interstate?

Yes.

 

[MrNoodly]

Plenty of people do winter over in SoCal urban areas. Problem is finding free camping.

Free and LEGAL.

 

[LERCA]

Los Angeles County sales tax is 9.75% but they don’t seem to be harassing RVs and vanners except at the beach. You can spend the night in commercial parking lots and main roads if parking is allowed. Legal no longer matters. Police are not enforcing. Ever since they got defunded they aren’t doing anything but violent crime.
Forget spending the night at the beach.

Do know that we are tightly locked down. Tightly and everything is closed except supermarkets. Even most doctors are doing phone visits.

You can walk at parks but that’s it and you better have a mask around your neck.

 

[RvNaut]

..thasks for the responses.. I am absolutely not going to winter over in a city.. I was in LA once.. that was plenty.. I am glad it is working for others though.. that is awesome... I have found a few places where one might boondock..

The bedroom in my house gets to 45° now, so chilly isn't big issue... freezing is.. and then there is global warming... ( ok, not funny)

My search is for next winter... I feel sorry for everyone having to deal with "everything as of late" while living Nomad...

 

[highdesertranger]

Colorado River Valley from Lake Havasu south in California or Arizona. the further south the warmer. highdesertranger

 

[LERCA]

I’ll take 79F in January, please spread the word what a terrible place it is especially the beach community I love!!! Please. LOL He’ll on Earth it is.