Are you traveling the Sun Belt as part of a snowbird journey? Or are you planning next year’s southern trip?
Well, the available options are unlimited, enabling snowbirds to design their winter lifestyle to suit their financial ability and social preferences. Here’s a look at four sunny destinations that snowbirds call their winter home.
Arizona
Along Apache Trail, east of Mesa, Arizona © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved
The majority of snowbird resorts are centered around Mesa, Apache Junction, Tucson, Yuma and along the Colorado River.
One of the hottest spots in terms of growth is YUMA (Yearly Uncontrolled Migration of the Aged), which doubles in population during winter months. Any discussion of Arizona and snowbirds would be incomplete without mentioning Quartzsite, a rock-hound paradise since the 1960s. Quartzsite has been described as “$400,000 motorhomes towing $40,000 SUVs looking for FREE camping.”
Texas
Thousands of snow-weary Northerners flock to Texas during winter. In Texas—a state famous for adding its unique flair—migrating snowbirds have been dubbed Winter Texans. Most congregate in one of two areas: Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley.
Green Jay at the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park/World Birding Center south of Mission. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved
The majority of Winter Texans flock to “The Valley”, an area near the Mexican border that stretches from Brownsville and Harlingen in the east to Mission in the west—a distance of about 65 miles. Winters tend to be mild and a bit breezy. With less expensive living costs, the Valley is arguably the best bargain in the U.S. for wintering in a warm climate.
Florida
Think Florida, and you have thoughts of dazzling white beaches, wind-swept palms, endless citrus groves, fresh-from-the-water seafood, delicious key lime pie, Kennedy Space Center, NASCAR drivers at Daytona International Speedway, well-manicured golf courses, the Everglades, Key West, Disney World, and other Orlando-area theme parks.
Florida is the only state where you can winter anywhere. The further south you go, the warmer the winter temperatures. There are so many choices depending on your interests and budget. The cost of RV parks increases as you travel further south and with proximity to the Atlantic or Gulf Coast.
Enjoying Cedar Key, Florida. Note the Great blue heron. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved
California
The majority of snowbirds who make California their winter home, head for the Coachella Valley. This is desert country with an occasional oasis—some natural but mostly man-made. Known world-wide as “the golfer’s paradise,” emerald fairways and greens abound.
Synonymous with the good life, Palm Springs is a retreat of the rich and famous, the ultimate in resort living. Swimming pools and fairways almost overlap. People who can afford to winter anywhere in the U.S. often do it here where winter weather is close to perfect.