This section contains information that is shared by classmates who are already "snowbirds" (those who go south for warm weather wintering), or information from those who are researching and planning to become snowbirds - perhaps NEXT year, or the year after.
Some snowbirds own or lease second homes, others own RVs (motorhomes, van conversions, fifth-wheelers, etc.) and rent space in an RV Park. Still others may rent vacation homes, condos, timeshares, or apartments during their winter stay. There are pros and cons to each type of snowbird "nest" whether it be a temporary one or one with the responsibilities and joys of ownership. One of them may be the right type of nest for YOU. It will take a lot of your research time to determine which is the best option for you.
From left to right, the symbols below will be used in this section to represent a specific BHS-57 snowbird's nest that is an RV Park (popular with many snowbirds because they can use their RV at other times and places, a second home owned by the snowbird (desired by those who can afford it and its furnishings), a rental home, condo or townshare, and an apartment rental. Rentals may be popular nest types for snowbirds who want to experience various snowbird locations and don't want to own second homes or have "homes on wheels."
RESEARCH ON MOTORHOMES
For some example pictures, prices, sizes, features, etc., on various classses of RV motorhomes, click on any or all of the following four links. FIRST PLEASE NOTE: The information for the four links below is given in four separate pop-up windows for easy comparison (if you open them all and then move and arrange the windows for easy viewing).
Here's how to do that: Because a newly-popped window may fall behind the main Snowbird page's window; you may want to FIRST move the Snowbirds window a bit to the right on your screen. After opening one pop-up, click back to this main Snowbirds page to open the next one until all four windows are popped up (if you prefer to see them all at once). You may have to move windows around to view parts of all four pop-ups (for easy clicking between them) on your display monitor. Be sure to close all four pop-up windows when done viewing them.
If you are looking to purchase, you should do your own research for current info; this is just a beginning. Unfortunately, I didn't then save the URL of the web site I had researched, but I'll try to find it and add that URL here later. Also, I don't have any research on fifth-wheelers. And, if any of you have good web sites to be researched for this kind of info, please let me know via email. Thanks. Marilyn.
SOME ARIZONA AREAS TO RESEARCH
Here are some Arizona links that you may want to research. For example, after you click the first link below, you can choose the Phoenix area and then get to the Apache Junction area.
Arizona web site http://www.arizonaguide.com/home.asp
Yuma AZ web site http://www.azmetro.com/yumarvandmobilehomeparks.html
Sun City, AZ web site http://www.suncityaz.org
Sun City West, AZ web site http://www.suncitywest.org
Green Valley, AZ web site http://www.greenvalleychamber.com
About Green Valley, AZ: I've driven all over beautiful Green Valley, AZ - first when I'd visited my cousin who'd moved there from eastern CO about five years before I moved there in 2007. Like me, my cousin and her husband are year-round residents, but many (half? most?) residents are "snowbirds" who come here from all over the USA and from Canada.
Green Valley is a small unincorporated community located about 20 miles south of the southernmost part of Tucson (a city of over one million people). It has a "high desert" climate at 2900 feet elevation - a few degrees cooler than Tucson (a half-hour drive north) or Phoenix (about a two-hour drive).
If you like a warm, dry climate, Green Valley is a great for snowbirds or for year-round residents (if you can tolerate the hot summer weeks of July and August). There is a community collage here, a good public lbrary, writers groups, etc. Seniors here are creating art, jewelry, potery, as well as writing novels, children's books, or memoirs. There are hundreds of people who are active in computer clubs, social groups, dancing, singing, swimming, golfing, etc. Whatever activity you might enjoy in a warm climate is here.
I've heard many different "population figures" for GreenValley, so take these figures with a grain of salt: the year-round residents are about 11,000 (?), and the population grows to about twice(?) that when snowbirds are here. Snowbirds arrive as early as September and as late as December/January, and usually stay thru April/May but a few stay into early June. The "year-rounders" like it when snowbirds leave Green Valley and the streets are quieter.
Besides lovely new/large southest-style houses, GV has many "townhouses" (little or no yard upkeep) and many one-bedroom and two-bedroom "villas" with their own parks, community swimming pools, golf courses, etc. Check out that area. And, if you come to visit Green Valley, let me know if you want me to put on my (invisible) "tour guide hat" and drive you around the area. Marilyn
Other AZ and CA areas: Some other areas you might want to research are described below, either by BHS-57 classmates who have tried them or through online research by others. If you know of other places (either in Arizona or in other states) that you have visited and can recommend to BHS-57 classmates or that you have researched but not yet visited, please email that info for this BHS-57 web site section. Thanks.
Click here for a map of the area and more info on Apache Junction attractions and the Apache Trail.
Karen added: "We really like the Tucson area as there is so much to do here. The Voyager Park is friendly and full of activities. It has been voted best in the nation twice. It has a large RV section, many park models and two sections with houses. We have a three-par golf course, volleyball, pickle ball, shuffleboard, five pools, and craft shops of all kinds."
NOTE TO ARIZONA SNOWBIRDS
Arizona is a popular state for snowbirds. Some BHS-57 couples are AZ snowbirds or have moved to AZ for their permanent home. (Check the 50th Reunion Memory Book for AZ addresses.)
Perhaps some AZ snowbirds or year-round residents would like to contact other BHS-57 classmates residing (year-round or wintering) down there (via email), so you can go shopping together, share videos or golf games, visit during Chrismas holidays, etc. If so, ask me to put your note in the BHS-57 Notepad section of this web site (or check the Email Contact section and send email to your classmate friends or to all classmates.
ANY SNOWBIRD HAVE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS BELOW?
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Recommendations Can you recommend good cities or towns or specific areas (such as RV Parks) that BHS-57 classmates researching possible snowbird locations should check out on their next vacations? Please note if they located near golf courses or at less expensive locations where one can just soak up the warm weather sunshine and read (or write) a good book.
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Sharing nests Are there any other single "Golden Girl' types who can't afford to be a snowbird herself, but who might like to share a winter rental home/condo with other snowbird roomie(s) to help share costs? Are single guys also interested in sharing winter homes with other snowbird single guys?
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Possible Rentals If some classmates don't want to (or can't) buy their own winter homes, where can they look for good, safe rentals for the winter months? Is there a good web site resource (with pictures) for finding a winter home, or condo, or apartment rental?
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Timeshares Are timeshares a good option? Anyone have experience (good or bad) with timeshares?
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Online Research Are there any good web sites for potential snowbirds to research?
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Bookstore Research Any good magazines or books to read on the topic?
-- Fred Norman recommends the "Camping World" magazine -- - RV Locations Do you know of good, safe RV locations to be researched?
If you have any answers to any questions, please email them to me. Thanks. Marilyn.
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