Snowbirds - 3 MO AZ or CA Where? - Montana Owners Club

Dean A Van Peursem · 06-04-2006, 02:08 PM

We are new Montana 3400 RL owners in Washington State, also new to RV'ing and intend to spend at least three months in AZ or Southern CA during the months of January, February & March. We have begun searching for places to stay in Tuscon, Phoenix, Yuma and Palm Springs areas. Yuma is presently at the bottom of the list due to some reports we have received about it being too hot and too windy. Our heads are spinning after doing some research. All the resorts look wonderful but we know some are better than others. We sure could use some guidance on places that you folks would recommend for consideration.

We do know this. We would like the spacing to be over 30-40' with a concrete patio and have some grass too, if possible. Have full hookup with Cable/or Satellite TV and Wi-Fi at the RV. Most places now charge for the electricity seperately but we have no idea what that might cost on a monthly basis.

I suspect we will stay in one place all three months but might try to move monthly if we are not happy with our current location. We enjoy golf and other activities but don't want to feel like we in a downtown of a major city. We really don't have enough experience to really know what we like and don't like. I guess the best way to describe it is we want all the amenities on an acre lot! :-) I do know that being able to shake hands with our neighbor through the window will be unacceptable.

Could any of you offer ideas on how we can identify a place to start out in AZ or CA and once we get there we can do more research while we are there. Help with suggested sites would be really appreciated. Equally important would be sites to stay away from.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for any help in advance.

Chaser · 06-04-2006, 05:50 PM

You came to the right place. Will tell you that we were first time Snowbirds last Winter - from Central Oregon (near Sunriver); We went to Arizona and ended up on the West side of Phoenix - no grass, no shade, did have subscription to wifi ($29.95/mo); telephone $25.00 a month, plus rent, indoor pool, small lending library and game room, and laundry facilities - you could rent your spot monthly or annually (which makes it cheaper, but be sure you are going to be able to use it). I wanted grass and golf, and water - we ended up in Lake Havasu after traveling here and there in the State - Arizona is known to be windy at one time or another - during the day - Phoenix had high air pollution (haze) while we were there from October to end of February. Tucson was pretty clear, Sierra Vista (SE of Tucson was nice - but is fairly high up); The only place we didn't get to was Flagstaff, and we just simply chose not to go there.

We have heard good and bad about Yuma; I'm sure some of the members who Winter or live there can help on that one; We had neighbors that left Arizona and moved to Temecula; which we have also heard good things about and you would probably have everything you mentioned and more; Distant Drums RV Resort at Camp Verde (AZ) has a touch of grass here and there; is a great spot to stay in for awhile to see Northern Arizona (Sedona, Jerome, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, even can get to the Grand Canyon); there are golf courses near by, casino, Resort has nice pool/spa, cement pads for patios, some landscaping, is emaculately kept; laundry, fitness center, club house/room, computer hook up was not the best - but they were working on it; we used our cell phone to hook up while there. - We checked out many other spots in and around Phoenix (cancelled a reservation in Mesa area - way too crowded for us)....sorry this is so long, I just felt this needed a response - we are embarking on extended stay this year - but will be traveling a good deal of the time and in Lake Havasu for several months as well - we also have a 3400RL. If you want to know more specifics - you can pull my email address from our profile - feel free to write; I'm sure others can enlighten you with their favorite and least favorite places, as well. Good Luck, keep in touch, maybe we'll see you on the road in the South West.

CHASER
Mike & Evy Orlob
MOC #2310

Lstierw · 06-04-2006, 06:50 PM

We started full timing a year ago and spent last winter in both Texas and Arizona. In Arizona we spent two weeks in Casa Grande, One month in Yuma and a couple of weeks in Lake Havasu. We belong to ROD (Resorts of Distinction) so we had alot of free parks (not really free) and really enjoyed Arizona and will go back hopefully this coming winter. We did not see a problem with wind at any of the places that we stayed at and winter temps were 60-80 during the day. Every year is probably different. Two years ago many people left because of rain but normally you will find great weather in Arizona during the winter. The only place that is just as popular during the summer as the winter is Lake Havasu bacause of the beautiful lakes (California folks) and boating there.......Les

Dean A Van Peursem · 06-04-2006, 06:53 PM

Chaser:

Thank You very much for the response. We spend a week in Eagle Crest Resort in the Redmond, OR area in the spring so we have been close to your home area. Have golfed in at the Sun River resort. Very nice country.

We are much more familiar with the Tucson area than the Phoenix area. We like the less crowed environment of Tuscon, clearer air but are concerned it may not be warm enough for us in those winter months. Casa Verde is of interest but don't know much about it yet. I suspect we will want something out of the metropolitan areas a bit to feel like we are in the country. We are spoiled since we live on 5 acres.

We would like the warmest nightime temperatures but want to avoid the high daytime temps if possible. We want it all! :-) 30 to 40 degrees is somewhat typical in WA state so would like it to be a bit warmer w/o all the rain. I suspect if we go too much North of Phoenix towards Sedona/Flagstaff it will get pretty cool at night.

Will checkout the Temecula area in SO CA. We lived in SO CA from 1962 to 1975 so are somewhat familiar with that area too. Have alot of friends and relatives in SO CA so that has a certain attraction.

Will find your private email address and see if I can pick your brain a little more. Thanks again.

Parrothead · 06-05-2006, 08:00 PM

I can't think of an RV park in Temecula that meets your criteria unless it is the Casino. Do you know what park it was Evy and Mike?
Happy trails.....................

Dean A Van Peursem · 06-05-2006, 09:13 PM

We are researching the following parks in the Temecula area:

Indian Oaks Trailer Ranch

Pechanga RV Resort

Rancho Corrido RV Resort & Campground

Sundance Vail - Vail Lake Resort

Tucalota Springs RV Park

Outdoor Resorts Rancho California

There may be more!

Parrothead · 06-06-2006, 05:37 AM

Okay, Outdoor Resorts is a membership and Rancho Corrido is very expensive unless you join their group. Indian Oaks is an old trailer park - no concrete - not sure you could get in there. Tucalota Springs is another old campground that did not use to have hookups. I think I read about improvements they were making so it may be okay now. Perchanga is the Casino I was referring to. It is new and nice but I wouldn't want to stay at a casino long term. I'm not familiar with Sundance. You may run across Lake Skinner in your search, it is a County park. We like it but there is no TV or WiFi service and no concrete.
Happy trails..........................

Dean A Van Peursem · 06-06-2006, 08:03 AM

Parrothead:

Looks like you are very familiar with the area since you are from Hemet. Do you have a park or two to recommend in the Hemet area? My boys and I used to hunt in the Hemet area in the late 60's and early 70's. Now that area is much more developed. There appears to be some resorts/parks that cater to snow birds in the Hemet area.I don't recall if the Hemet area gets some of the air pollution from the LA basin or not. The nice thing about the Hemet/Temecula area is we would be within 90 miles or so of many relatives and friends.

In reveiwing some of the parks in the Temecula area your concern about no concrete is of concern to us as well. As one goes further South into North San Diego County the typical space width becomes quite narrow. That I think would drive us up the wall. One of the parks we looked at in Casa Grande, AZ has a typical space width of 40'. Now that is more like it. We are willing to pay a little more to get something nice since we don't want to feel like we are packed in a Sardine Can. Rancho Corrido may be a bit higher than what is comfortable.

richfaa · 06-06-2006, 11:26 AM

Dean..We are in the same position as you..This winter will be our first as snowbirds/winter Texans..We have been Monitoring Lake Havasu/ Yuma.,Arz and the RGv all winter and the RGV is at the bottom of our list because of the high Winds and Yuma is at the top because of the constant mild temp over winter months..We plan to tour all three areas this winter.
Hey..maybe we can search together ..a couple of 3400's wandering aimlessly across the Arz and Texas Desert looking for a place to call home..Sounds sort of biblical doesn't it???

kwbosch · 06-06-2006, 11:42 AM

Dean,

We spent a long weekend at Outdoor resorts in Temecula (actually in Aguanga, Ca.) last October.
The sites are privately owned but many are available for rent. It is truely a resort, built around a golf course. The sites are concrete 24'x60'. There is ample room between each site. At that time they were running $55/night. Check the website for current rates and also there are some restrictions.
They even had free beer night on Saturday. Yes that's right, free beer in the clubhouse.

http://www.outdoor-resorts.com/rancmap.htm

Here's a picture of our site:
http://i5.tinypic.com/11vh7ww.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/11vhe9w.jpg
We were livin high on the hog that weekend

Ken

Dean A Van Peursem · 06-06-2006, 12:32 PM

Richfaa:

If the winds of the RGv are too much for you, you might want to look into the wind situation in Yuma before you get your heart set on it. I have asked several campers who have spent some time in Yuma and they all seem to come up with the same two negatives. Too windy and too hot later in the winter. I'm only repeating what I have been told. We haven't been through there since 1962 when we moved to San Diego. I was pulling a 40' mobile home at the time. My wife had never been to the west coast at the time and she, two kids and Grandma were in the car behind me. When we went throught the white drifting sands area between Phoenix and Yuma, my wife asked Grandma "Where in the world is he taking me?". She had never seen anything like it. Looked like the Sahara Desert to us. :-) Lake Havasu has its merits but I'm not sure that is what this set of retirees want. Not into water sports. Palm Springs, CA should be consired along with So CA and AZ. We have been to Tucson several times and like the area more than the Phoenix area. We may compromise on Casa Grande in between. Haven't read any reports on here about that area.

Yes, I can see us now meeting or passing each other several times during the months of January through March. Both looking somewhat bewildered and lost hunting for a new temporary home. I suspect there is a RV Resort that will fit our wants and needs but we just haven't identified it yet. I do know we don't want to be on top of our neighbor. Looks like that may be a bit difficult to find in some of the Snowbird parks/resorts.

Chaser · 06-06-2006, 06:49 PM

Parrothead: I only know that some neighbors we had in Goodyear went on to the Temecula area - didn't get a Park name;

and,Dean - we spent two weeks in Tucson, Tombstone area in January - mid to upper 70s and a day or two of low 80's, which was warm enough for this old "Salt" - but each year is truly different - by Brother was there year before - came down from Alaska - went back home after two months - was warmer in Sitka - so flexibility is the name of the game, for sure - we will be going through northern part of Texas in mid to late October on route to Lake Havasu; Havasu RV Resort - maybe see you two on the road - trying to find your way.....do ya think?

Parrothead · 06-06-2006, 07:09 PM

Dean
Yes Hemet is known as a Snowbird community. There are several parks in the town and all are more what you are looking for. Have you looked at Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Indio? Some relly nice newer parks out there. We've never stayed at our parks but have visited. We don't have any more smog than Temecula (very little) and about the same temperature.
Happy trails..................

8.1al · 06-07-2006, 05:40 AM

Canyon Vistas on the east side of Phoenix is a very nice park. It's not in the city but not far from all the shopping. It's on Hwy 60 just south of Apache Junction.

adelmoll · 06-07-2006, 12:20 PM

We loved Yuma, Melnjoy live in Yuma, Les and Julie are going back to Yuma again next year. We didn't find it to hot at all.

Helen

Dean A Van Peursem · 06-07-2006, 02:24 PM

Well, you see on a limited sample one can get a biased view. :-) Anything away from our winter NW rain would be far better so we shouldn't be so picky I guess. You didn't mention wind in Yuma, that was their other complaint. But i guess the desert can be windy at will. Yuma is one of the fastest growing areas in the US so there is a reason for that.

Canyon Vistas in the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon area looks decent but their web site isn't all that informative. At least the spaces are over 35' wide. I guess if we forced to make a decision today and IF the stock market looked good we would choose Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort in Casa Grande. A little higher priced but it sure looks wonderful. Maybe it isn't as good as all the advertisements and web site fluff. Anyone ever stay there?

Lstierw · 06-07-2006, 02:48 PM

Hi Dean...we did visit friends last winter at Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort and it is probably one of the most beautiful RV Parks I have ever seen. You can rent an RV Spot or Buy one and here is a link to Palm Creek http://www.palmcreekgolf.com/ ....Les

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Dean A Van Peursem

Well, you see on a limited sample one can get a biased view. :-) Anything away from our winter NW rain would be far better so we shouldn't be so picky I guess. You didn't mention wind in Yuma, that was their other complaint. But i guess the desert can be windy at will. Yuma is one of the fastest growing areas in the US so there is a reason for that.

Canyon Vistas in the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon area looks decent but their web site isn't all that informative. At least the spaces are over 35' wide. I guess if we forced to make a decision today and IF the stock market looked good we would choose Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort in Casa Grande. A little higher priced but it sure looks wonderful. Maybe it isn't as good as all the advertisements and web site fluff. Anyone ever stay there?

melnjoy · 06-08-2006, 06:47 AM

We own a lot and a house in the Foothills in Yuma. Is it hot? Darn hot in the summer! But it is perfect in the fall and winter! In December the temps are in the 60*to70*'s, In Jan it is more in the 70*'s and Feb it gets up to the 70* to 80*'s. It doesn't really start to get too hot until the end of May.

We are having a pool installed (as we write), in the residence where our folks are currently living. (They live there year round and love it!) So we will be able to tolerate the heat a little better on those extra hot days. We will be wintering down there from September (yes it is hot then), till May, so that we can spend more time with the folks as they are starting to need a little more assistance.

As far as the wind- I have experienced a few wind storms, but nothing intolerable. I survived a couple good windy days this last April with the awning up and had no damage. (a lot of noise, but no damage). I do have to say however, Mel had the awning anchored down very well, and used the deflappers on the sides. I have not stayed in any of the parks in Yuma, but several there I believe would fit your criteria, (except for the grass, you don't see grass much in the dessert), there are golf courses in the area also.

My only complaint with Yuma is that the water has to be either bottled to drink or processed through an osmosis system.

Joy

Dean A Van Peursem · 06-08-2006, 11:08 AM

Melnjoy:

Wow, you are about 30 miles from us here in WA state. Appreciate the update on Yuma. With our recent and current spring weather here in WA we might consider 5 months in AZ rather than three. But we have to get back here around the first of April to keep the home place in check. Our 5 acres seems to keep us very busy during the months of April and May trying to keep ahead of the grass and weeds. Sometimes I get delusional and think we are on top of it. Right now no grass would be a blessing! :-) I suspect the 5 acre home place will get sold if we truly enjoy being snowbirds.

tweir · 06-09-2006, 06:46 AM

We stayed at Sam's Familt Spa in Desert hot Springs several times, fairly nice park and the indoor/outdoor spa pools are great. They have a sauna as well. Lots of palm trees, level concrete pads, full hook-ups. About 20 minutes or so from Palm Springs (I drive slow). Quiet. The "overflow" area across the bridge is the best---lots of room to "spread out your stuff". Nice staff. Maybe we were lucky---no strong winds.
Here is their URL: http://www.samsfamilyspa.com/

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