Florida is a large state with areas that are crowded and others that are more rural. You should be able to find what you want in Florida. It is cheaper to be inland, except around Orlando, it is cheaper to be further north, but there are still deals in more southern places like Punta Gorda. One problem with the state parks in Florida is enough people live there with money to burn that they will pay for campsites just to hold them, and not bother coming. This happens in the Keys often, reserved and paid for campsites that are empty on weekends.
Our first two winters in Florida, 2003/2004 and 2005/2006, we booked two weeks each in multiple areas to get a feel for them, along with some RV rallies. That was a little more expensive, but doable and was very helpful in later years. We used (Encore) http://www.rvonthego.com/ for many of these stays.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Monday 8th of July 2013 09:55:16 AM
bluebird95 said
03:32 PM Jul 8, 2013
Hi all
Lurking is over ! I have enjoyed this forum and the whole Dreams website for over a year. Moving closer each day to taking off on the next journey. House went up for sale Fri and first showing is tomorrow. Six months of de-cluttering, garage sales,landscaping,painting,tossing,sharing,giving away,and cleaning is behind us. Is it all done...nope but getting there.
Who are we. Married couple for the past 34 years with an older bischon. No grands. Two great adult children. I grew up in Thousand Islands, NY, and husband is from IN. I have been traveling since 1975. Love the West and hope to settle there eventually. We have attended several Rallys and have learned a lot about the RV Lifestyle.
There is nothing easy to this process so having a place where people share their experiences helps, each step of the way.
Very few people understand the future we are embarking on. Most here do.
Please share your experiences in Florida from the past year. Did you find places crowded, expensive, etc compared to other years???? We will be headed there first and know very little. We did visit sun and fun and thought it was a bit crowded but the pool etc looked great. We stayed out on ft desoto and loved it. I guess we like the state park like places with hiking etc. The BMC is 37 ft so hope it fits most campsites.
thanks for sharing
scrappy said
03:43 PM Jul 8, 2013
Welcome and congrats on inching closer to your dream journey!
Cant tell you anything about Florida, we are in north Georgia/Chattanooga. (which is probably right on your way to Florida, just sayin!)
You're right, very few people will understand why on EARTH you would want to do such a thing! Funny part about that is, most people in the campgrounds, either the man or the woman, really want to do it, but cant get the other to agree. And most that will say you are crazy, are just envious that you can now live where you want, see the countryside, simplify life. Thats what its all about!
Welcome and again, good luck!
Technomadia said
09:07 PM Jul 8, 2013
Welcome!
Florida in winter can be an interesting exercise in being flexible. We love their state park system, but it can be quite difficult to snag spots, especially over weekends. You can reserve online up to a year in advance, and as Bill noted, many do. However, here's the trick - you can cancel your reservations almost as easily as you can reserve them with very little penalty - so a lot of folks hold on to their reservations then cancel last minute to get most their money back. If you're patient, you can often times snag up last minute cancellations. If there are parks we want to visit, we look on ReserveAmerica several times a day and have had pretty good luck grabbing spots for a couple days here and there.
Want a site for the entire 2-week time limit or over a weekend? Better reserve early for the popular parks!
Other areas in Florida.. it's variable as to how soon in advance you should reserve. You'll find prices all over the map due to location, amenities and popularity. Monthly spots will be much cheaper than paying nightly or weekly rates. We've found great spots in the $400-700/month range, and of course there are more resort type locations that will easily be double or triple that.
Florida does get crowded in the winter.. and folks who have favorite campgrounds book them up as early as when they depart the season before. So if there's an area you want to be in, start your research now to book up your preferences.
- Cherie
bluebird95 said
12:54 AM Jul 9, 2013
thanks scrappy,bill,and techno cherie... for the replies and insights. I am not too good at reservations....seems real limiting, until you know the area. Thanks for the strategies. Forums are so great when it comes to learning the ropes.
People do think we are a bit crazy when we do not have a set plan ,except to travel.
To the future
Terry and Jo said
02:03 AM Jul 9, 2013
Dawn,
Welcome to the RV Dreams forums. Since you've been lurking for a while, you already know a lot about a bunch of us. Glad to have you as part of the "active" family.
Oh, and your plan for travel is fine. No plan leaves one open for unexpected adventures.
Terry
PIEERE said
07:16 PM Jul 9, 2013
Dawn: Welcome! Smile; Relax and enjoy.
bluebird95 said
12:34 AM Oct 12, 2013
Things are moving along............Accepted a offer on the house over two weeks ago( after 3 months on the market)....have been thu 3 inspections and waiting for the results and communication from the realtor for the next step as we close in on the closing.
Today was husbands last day of work after over 47 yrs.
Next we have all the stuff that we could not get rid of until the place sold to store sell and give away.
We did not want to make any plans ,but now will research heading south sometime around thanksgiving...or just after...all depending on the weather.
Does anyone have any advice on storage units.....?
sologal said
05:11 AM Oct 12, 2013
Hi Dawn, I am a lot like you, hate pre booking anything until I know I want to be there. Our Federal parks up here in Canada seem to be the same as the state parks down south, full up but lots are no shows and cancel. If you are prepared to boondock a little it will give you the freedom to check thing out and be first in line if it's a place that suits you. Storage units for the left over house stuff or in the rv? If you mean the house stuff, if you can afford one that's fine but try and do it where one of your children would have access as it would make it easier down the road if you end up somewhere new and wonderful. Have fun.....Deb
Florida is a large state with areas that are crowded and others that are more rural. You should be able to find what you want in Florida. It is cheaper to be inland, except around Orlando, it is cheaper to be further north, but there are still deals in more southern places like Punta Gorda. One problem with the state parks in Florida is enough people live there with money to burn that they will pay for campsites just to hold them, and not bother coming. This happens in the Keys often, reserved and paid for campsites that are empty on weekends.
Our first two winters in Florida, 2003/2004 and 2005/2006, we booked two weeks each in multiple areas to get a feel for them, along with some RV rallies. That was a little more expensive, but doable and was very helpful in later years. We used (Encore) http://www.rvonthego.com/ for many of these stays.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Monday 8th of July 2013 09:55:16 AM
Hi all
Who are we. Married couple for the past 34 years with an older bischon. No grands. Two great adult children. I grew up in Thousand Islands, NY, and husband is from IN. I have been traveling since 1975. Love the West and hope to settle there eventually. We have attended several Rallys and have learned a lot about the RV Lifestyle.
There is nothing easy to this process so having a place where people share their experiences helps, each step of the way.
Very few people understand the future we are embarking on. Most here do.
Please share your experiences in Florida from the past year. Did you find places crowded, expensive, etc compared to other years???? We will be headed there first and know very little. We did visit sun and fun and thought it was a bit crowded but the pool etc looked great. We stayed out on ft desoto and loved it. I guess we like the state park like places with hiking etc. The BMC is 37 ft so hope it fits most campsites.
thanks for sharing
Welcome and congrats on inching closer to your dream journey!
Cant tell you anything about Florida, we are in north Georgia/Chattanooga. (which is probably right on your way to Florida, just sayin!)
You're right, very few people will understand why on EARTH you would want to do such a thing! Funny part about that is, most people in the campgrounds, either the man or the woman, really want to do it, but cant get the other to agree. And most that will say you are crazy, are just envious that you can now live where you want, see the countryside, simplify life. Thats what its all about!
Welcome and again, good luck!
Florida in winter can be an interesting exercise in being flexible. We love their state park system, but it can be quite difficult to snag spots, especially over weekends. You can reserve online up to a year in advance, and as Bill noted, many do. However, here's the trick - you can cancel your reservations almost as easily as you can reserve them with very little penalty - so a lot of folks hold on to their reservations then cancel last minute to get most their money back. If you're patient, you can often times snag up last minute cancellations. If there are parks we want to visit, we look on ReserveAmerica several times a day and have had pretty good luck grabbing spots for a couple days here and there.
Want a site for the entire 2-week time limit or over a weekend? Better reserve early for the popular parks!
Other areas in Florida.. it's variable as to how soon in advance you should reserve. You'll find prices all over the map due to location, amenities and popularity. Monthly spots will be much cheaper than paying nightly or weekly rates. We've found great spots in the $400-700/month range, and of course there are more resort type locations that will easily be double or triple that.
Florida does get crowded in the winter.. and folks who have favorite campgrounds book them up as early as when they depart the season before. So if there's an area you want to be in, start your research now to book up your preferences.
- Cherie
People do think we are a bit crazy when we do not have a set plan ,except to travel.
To the future
Dawn,
Welcome to the RV Dreams forums. Since you've been lurking for a while, you already know a lot about a bunch of us. Glad to have you as part of the "active" family.
Oh, and your plan for travel is fine. No plan leaves one open for unexpected adventures.
Terry
Today was husbands last day of work after over 47 yrs.
Next we have all the stuff that we could not get rid of until the place sold to store sell and give away.
We did not want to make any plans ,but now will research heading south sometime around thanksgiving...or just after...all depending on the weather.
Does anyone have any advice on storage units.....?