Snowbirds are people who have retired, deciding to live six months of winter in a warmer climate, then heading back home during the summer months. They usually have a RV or a park model that they live out of while spending the winter months down south. My parents became Snowbirds, and enjoyed the warmer winters in South Texas. Snowbirds, or winter Texans as they are sometimes called, find the warmer weather much more manageable in their senior years.
The Texas Gulf Coast and Rio Grande Valley are popular areas for RV parks due to the influx of Snowbirds from all over the US and Canada. Most Snowbirds live on their retirement or savings and some find work part time within the parks which provide free rent. Many Snowbirds take advantage of the lost cost of prescriptions in Mexico as well as affordable dental care. With all the warnings about going into Mexico, so far there have been safe entry into Mexico from this area.
I could not understand what all the fuss was about until I spent my spring break there one year. Upon arriving in Mission, Texas, I could not help but notice all the beautiful palm trees everywhere. I knew this was not typical in many parts of Texas, but it truly had a tropical feel like Florida. Being close to the ocean is another wonderful treat for most Snowbirds.
My parents had a RV for many years until my dad had a stroke. We thought their days of being Snowbirds were over but that was not the case. They decided to buy a park model, which is a stationary small trailer to keep down there in Mission. So their trips continued, as they would meet their friends every year at the same time, ready to enjoy the winter in 80 and 90-degree weather, while all the rest of us froze our tootsies off.
There are many parks to pick from in South Texas. Most of the parks have a laundry mat, recreation center, and swimming pool. Some parks offer native landscaping designed to attract birds and butterflies, hot tubs, an exercise room, and a driving range. There are activities going on all the time. There is no time to twiddle your thumbs.
The most surprising of all is that some parks costs as little as $1200.00 per year, if you own your park model or RV. I found that so amazing and affordable. Most parks state you have to be 55 years or older to live there. This is one time, I would not mind being 55, or older, so I can become a Snowbird.
There are many used park models to pick from to buy. As Snowbirds age, they may find it too difficult to travel, the loss of a spouse, or health reasons, may make them have to give up being a Snowbird, so they end up selling their RV or park model. One can always find a very good deal. I have seen them listed from $ 5,000 to $40,000, depending on the age, make, and model. The park model is very small but has everything one would need to be comfortable. I think, as we age who wants to spend time cleaning unused space. My parents had an adorable park model that met their every need. In their yard was an orange and grapefruit tree, which provided lovely fruit the whole winter long.
There is no time for boredom. I loved waking up in the morning, taking a walk around the park. The warm breeze seemed to blow all day long. One of the neatest things I saw were these bikes. They sat low to the ground, having two back wheels and one front wheel. My mom used hers frequently. They were safe so no fear of falling off a bike and breaking a hip. It was great exercise. Many mornings I would see Snowbirds riding around the park. It appeared as if they did not have a care in the world as the Snowbirds were so friendly, always ready to offer a good morning.
One day I had decided to go swimming and I noticed a sweet couple in the pool. I thought they probably had been married a half century. The couple began to tell me their story. They both were widowed for many years. They decided to come down to South Texas to see what all the hoopla was about. It was here that they met one another, falling in love at the Bingo table, and marrying shortly after. After having me guess how old they were, they disclosed their ages. They were 86 and 87 years of age. I walked away, hearing distant giggles in the pool. How great is that?
Daily fruit and vegetables were delivered around the different parks. Local farmers stopped by, bringing fresh produce daily. Most of the Snowbirds grace many of the eating establishments in this area, so many of the restaurants would not survive if not for the influx of Snowbirds.The service was always friendly and courteous. I felt they were happy for the Snowbirds to be in the area.
There were these gigantic warehouses that stored mounds of clothes. When I say mounds of clothes, I mean mounds as high as a house. You have to climb on the mounds, picking out what you find. You can buy a bag full for 40 cents a pound. Yes, granted it is work, but let me tell you, these Snowbirds are on it. I was up on one of my mounds when this little elderly woman rushed passed me. She started climbing up this mound of clothes, like a marathon climber, almost pushing me down the clothes mound. She had spotted a shirt, and she was not going to mess around, as she had a goal and no one was going to stop her, not even this green horn. Some of the clothes still had tags on them, and noted name brand tags. I still to this day do not know how, why, or where those clothes came from. I only know a bag full of clothes was within my budget.
There were many things to do. I played Bingo, attended a craft show, enjoyed flea markets, the beach nearby, and awesome dances. Now the dances were something I will never forget. Talk about feeling like the bell of the ball. I was whisked off my feet more times than I can count from lovely gentleman that had more moves than Fred Astaire. Those Snowbirds knew how to party and were still dancing as I bid them a goodnight.
Being a Snowbird in South,Texas would be such a wonderful way to live the remainder of my days. I have to say even though most people were a lot older than I was; I had the time of my life. In fact, these Snowbirds ran circles around me, had more energy than the energizer bunny, and actually wore me out! What better way than to say adieu to my life than by living my life to its fullest, enjoying the warm sunshine with friends and dancing the night away. Who knows, one just might find the love of their life in South Texas.
