Affordable RV Snowbird Destinations To Visit This Winter
When the weather gets cold up north, swaths of RVers head south to milder climates in order to escape the winter weather. These snowbirds typically flock to destinations like Florida and Arizona, which can see their populations swell during the winter months. Unfortunately, there’s a downside to many of these snowbird destinations: They can be pretty expensive!
But, it’s not all bad news. In fact, there are tons of affordable snowbird destinations out there just waiting for thrifty RVers to find them. Today, we’re going to take a look at just that, answering the question: What are the most affordable snowbird destinations for RVers?
Sun, sand, and an affordable cost of living—on our list of snowbird destinations, you’ll find it all!
Clearwater, Florida
The Sunshine State is absolutely packed with affordable snowbird destinations, and you’ll see it pop up on this list quite a lot. But the top spot on our list is central Florida’s Clearwater, due to its ideal combination of low cost of living and high quality of life.
The area has amazing beaches, tons of great restaurants and bars, and plenty of culture to enjoy. Clearwater is also a part of the Tampa Bay area. Other nearby towns and cities also make for great snowbird destinations, plus they provide plenty of opportunities for fun day trips.
While you’re enjoying this incredible snowbird destination, enjoy a Cuban sandwich in Tampa’s Ybor City, catch a Lightning game, or head to St. Pete and enjoy the incredible Dalí Museum.
Green Valley, Arizona
While most of our snowbird destinations are found in the south, there are plenty of great options further west too. One such option is Green Valley, AZ. This small community in Arizona is populated largely by retirees and snowbirds, so you’ll be in good company.
The town itself is quiet, tranquil, and laid-back, and it’s also extremely affordable with low taxes. If you’re a fan of riding around in a golf cart, you’ll also love how golf-cart-friendly this town is, with plenty of designated golf cart lanes. Green Valley also features a variety of recreation options to fill your days with activity and enjoyment, with 13 recreation centers, golf courses, pickleball courts, and more.
All of these features are rounded out by nice, mild weather that’s perfect for escaping the chill further north.
Cape Coral, Florida
South Florida is an incredible snowbird destination, but it also tends to be extraordinarily expensive. Thankfully, those looking for an affordable snowbird destination in South Florida have plenty of great options. Simply head to the west coast and you’ll find Cape Coral, FL.
Cape Coral offers the same gorgeous weather and incredible beaches as its more expensive neighbors. But, it does so while being quite a bit more affordable.
Besides the cost of living, the area offers beautiful nature preserves (check out Pine Island Sound!), a rich history, and a vibrant culture. If Cape Coral isn’t your speed, the nearby towns of Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Port Charlotte are also good snowbird destinations.
Brownsville, Texas
Texas’s Gulf Coast is full of great snowbird destinations, but for your money, the best affordable destination is the border town of Brownsville, TX.
The area of Brownsville offers lovely, mild weather and several wildlife refuges to enjoy, including Resaca de la Palma State Park, the World Birding Center network’s largest park. History buffs will also love the area, which was the location of several major battles in the American Civil War, Mexican-American War, and Texas Revolution. Science lovers will love visiting the nearby SpaceX facility.
There are a number of great places to check out nearby as well, including San Benito and Harlingen, plus the nearby city of McAllen, another affordable snowbird destination. Even better, you’re just a hop and a skip away from South Padre Island, one of Texas’s best destinations for beachside fun.
Finally, Brownsville is a great snowbird location with its close proximity to Mexico. Snowbirds and retirees can quickly pop over the border for affordable dental care and more.
Pensacola, Florida
Up in the Florida Panhandle, you’ll find the next snowbird destination on our list: Pensacola, FL.
Pensacola boasts of being one of the cheapest coastal cities in the entire state, making it an ideal choice if living by the beach is an absolute must. The city offers plenty to do, but perhaps the biggest attraction in Pensacola is actually the surrounding area.
The Florida Panhandle is absolutely packed with hidden gems and incredible beaches well worth exploring. Some of our suggestions include:
- Destin, whose beaches have some of the whitest sand in the entire world!
- Seaside, a small town so incredibly picturesque and so quaint they used it as the filming location for the movie The Truman Show
- Panama City Beach, a world-famous spring break destination
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is a city that’s like few others—and it’s an affordable snowbird destination to boot!
Sitting on the coast just past the border with South Carolina, Savannah has so much to offer snowbirds and retirees. The city’s history is incredibly well-preserved; Savannah is chock full of historic buildings and squares to learn about. Plus, it has tons of green spaces, with at least a small park every few blocks.
The city is also home to the Savannah College of Art and Design. Thanks to this school and its students, the town has a vibrant and active arts scene. Plus, Savannah also has some truly incredible bars and restaurants to check out.
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Our final snowbird destination is one that might be a little farther south than others, but it’s well worth the trip: the city of La Paz, in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.
La Paz has tons to offer for the thrifty snowbird. For one, like most Mexican destinations, it’s quite a bit cheaper than anywhere you’ll find stateside. Despite being in one of the most expensive and desired Mexican states, La Paz remains very affordable.
Besides the cost of living, La Paz also offers gorgeous weather right by the ocean, plus Baja California’s unique “desert beach” vibes. If that’s not enough for you, La Paz also offers all of the incredibly delicious food and drink, lively culture, and laid-back lifestyle that help make Mexico one of the world’s most desirable tourist destinations.
Get RV-safe directions
There are tons of affordable snowbird destinations out there for the thrifty RVer. Each of the locations on our list provides the perfect refuge from the cold that won’t break the bank. All that’s left now is to pick where you’ll go and start planning your escape from the cold!
For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. Campground Reviews is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences.
If you are a price conscious boondocker, the BLM’s LTVAs (Long Term Visitor Areas) in southern Arizona (Quartzsite and Yuma) cannot be beat. For $180 total cost, you can make camp anywhere in a LTVA (there are several) from September 15 until April 15 (or any portion thereof); and that includes access to a dump station, a water station, and a dumpster station. If you stay the full season, that’s 85 cents a day.
The entire Rio Grande Valley has hundreds of “Winter Texan” RV Parks that are a lot less expensive than FL or AZ – not just Brownsville TX on the coast which is often cooler and wetter than inland RGV.
You left out Puerto Penasco, Mexico, on the Sea if Cortez only 60 miles south of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ. Beachfront RV parks, fresh fish right off the boat, grocery stores, cheap dentists, medical facilities, mobile RV wash & wax shops, car and RV paint and body shops, beachfront hotels for guests, and plenty of sun and sand!