Robare
Hampton, NH
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Joined: 01/01/2001
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I am biased but this is what we did 10 years ago when we retired...we traveled up and down both coasts for several years and said we would settle in when we found the place we liked the best. Got to see a lot and finally bought a lot on the East Coast at a cg near the ocean with 3 pools, tennis courts and a bike path just outside the gate....there are a lot of options and great places in Fl. so look around to see what suits you best; we thought the traffic was much worse on the west coast and was one of the reasons we bought on the east side...different strokes for different folks so take a good look around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2000 Tioga Class C, 1999 Saturn
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fchammer1
AR, FL, PA & points in between
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Robare wrote:...we thought the traffic was much worse on the west coast...
It is funny how perception affects our views. For the past two years I have told people that the area between Naples and Fort Myers does have as much traffic as the Miami to Homestead area, but with THIS DIFFERENCE:
When the traffic signals turn red, traffic on Florida's west coast comes to a stop, and traffic with the green light proceeds.
In the Miami area, when traffic signals turn red, drivers continue into the intersection until it is packed; and drivers with the green lights have to wait for the intersection to clear before advancing. In retaliation, they too then likewise clog the intersection. Traffic lights are just general guides.
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MichDoc
Michigan
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Joined: 01/02/2006
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tatest gives a great description of the Gulf coast. And we did the same thing that Robare did - traveling around until we found what suited us the best. Here are a few things that I would mention:
Traffic is great from Spring Hill north, but you will find that the coastal area is marshy with few beaches. The good beaches start around Tarpon Springs and south from there, but the traffic and congestion gets worse as well, and gets even worse the further south you go. Staying in one spot for the whole winter tends to be cheaper because you get the long-term rates, but then you don't get to see as much of the state. You may want to consider staying for one month at each of several different RV parks. That way you'll get the discounted monthly rate, and you'll still be able to see several different areas during the winter. You can do some exploring with the toad in each of the areas you stay in to gather more information about a particular locale. Also, as stated by others, temps in the northern part of the state tend to be cooler, but that's a relative thing. To us, being from Michigan, 50's at night never bothered us, nor did temps in the 70's during the day, and we actually found that to be our ideal temperature range  , but many folks find that too cool for them, so they head to Tampa and south. Also, if cost is a consideration, the further inland you go, the less expensive as well. Click on this link to check out some Florida Campgrounds with Websites and start searching by city. Make your reservations soon too, because they fill up fast - especially for the stays of a month or longer. Have fun.
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JohnDoe
Mifflinburg Pa
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Joined: 10/25/2005
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If your going to pay your money for warm weather you have to get south of Tampa, north Florida you get below freezing at nights,I want warm weather is what I pay mine for,so I go south. the main part of Florida is 400 miles long so big change from the top to the bottom, and that's not counting the keys.
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The Texan
Summer: A Cool Climate Winter: A Warm Climate
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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JohnDoe wrote:If your going to pay your money for warm weather you have to get south of Tampa, north Florida you get below freezing at nights,I want warm weather is what I pay mine for, so I go south. the main part of Florida is 400 miles long so big change from the top to the bottom, and that's not counting the keys. Maybe a max of 5 nights a winter and then during the day, it climbs right back into the 70s. We live a 100 miles north of Tampa and I can't see paying a $400 to $600 a month price difference south of Tampa, for those 5 nights myself.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03
FMCA #F203528
'05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra SLT, CC Z-71, the pusher
'07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher -
Our Current Location
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MichDoc
Michigan
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Joined: 01/02/2006
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The Texan wrote:JohnDoe wrote:If your going to pay your money for warm weather you have to get south of Tampa, north Florida you get below freezing at nights,I want warm weather is what I pay mine for, so I go south. the main part of Florida is 400 miles long so big change from the top to the bottom, and that's not counting the keys. Maybe a max of 5 nights a winter and then during the day, it climbs right back into the 70s. We live a 100 miles north of Tampa and I can't see paying a $400 to $600 a month price difference south of Tampa, for those 5 nights myself.
Exactly right, Texan. We spent two winters in north and northwest Florida, and I can count on one hand (with a finger or two left over) the number of times it went below freezing - and that's for both years combined. In addition, IF it drops down into the 30's, it usually occurs between 4 and 6 in the morning, and then starts warming up. By the time the sun is up, around 8 AM, the temps are up into the 50's or 60's, and heading towards the 70's. Trust me, "COLD" in Florida is springtime weather in any of the northern states. And the bonus is, all the people that aren't happy unless it's in the 80's or 90's are way down south, sitting in congested traffic, so we hardier snowbirds are driving around at posted speeds! 
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ohiolegend
Ocala, Florida
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Joined: 03/20/2004
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We are now full timers in Florida and live in Ocala. Last winter we say a few nights that it got down into to the 30's. Most of the time it never actually got down below 38 - 40 degrees. For most of the winter thoug, it never went much below 45 degrees at night. By mid-day it was back into the upper 60's. I agree that why pay the extra amount of money for a few cool nights.
Don / Brenda
Full-timing / Ocala, Florida
2002 Saturn (toad)
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BelleisleNB
Kiersteadville New Brunswick, Canada
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Joined: 07/03/2006
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We're from New Brunswick, close to Sussex and we have been spending the last
20 years on the West Coast in Pinellas Park/Largo which is between St. Petes
and Clearwater. We are about 9 miles from the gulf and approx 20 minutes
to Tampa Airport.
We are in Vacation Village which is located at 6900 Ulmerton Road and there
are about 40/50 families there from New Brunswick/Nova Scotia and a couple
or three from Newfoundland. However, the NL couples are now living in NB.
We have a great social life in our park, mostly outdoors, very active clubhouse
with cribbage/auction/bingo/dominoes/shuffleboard/texas holdem/, etc. Nice
pool and lots of shopping nearby. We have lots of music, some who can sing
and some who can't...they just like to. In short it's like going to kids
camp for the winter, everyone's excited getting there but by April, watch
their dust!!!!
We are in the moderate price range, four different lot types for annual
leases, $3950/4l50/4200/4400. These rates are for trailers that are there
permanently. For a different rate their tel number is 727-531-5589.
We pay our power separately...to the park not Florida Power. I've never
paid over $45/month during anytime of the winter...air or heat. Water and
garbage are included in the rent as well as mowing, etc. Nice washrooms and
laundry.
If you would like more info, PM me and I will give you a tel call if you
would like to leave your telepone number. Just got back from NL, were there
for 2 weeks, wanted to see L'anse aux Meadows and some bergs. Spent a month
there in 05, you are lucky to live in such a beautiful province.
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runmaster3
Farmington, Missouri, USA
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Joined: 06/12/2004
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will be going for my first time during that same period. Probably Jan - Mar. also have been looking around there and also SC. Am now thinking of breaking it up and staying a month in each place so that I do not get bored with the area. let me know what you find out. would love to have the information.
Thanks
Ron Stevens 38 ft. Damon Intruder
Penny Elrod 3 felines
FMCA #F360271
Saturn Toad
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