Snowbirding -- how to?

[Elan]

Sounds like us in Yakima. Those inversions seem to last all winter.

You would do well owning a Worldmark because it exchanges in II, RCI and SFX with no problems. With II , I can see a bunch of January extra vacations . Same with RCI but RCI has a last minute thing called "Last Call" where you can get a week in a one bed unit for about $309. II has nicer resorts like Marriott but the cost for a one bed is over $100 a night.

You would have to join either or both to see what's best for you. I use them both with WM.

Bill

Thanks Bill. I do think I'll look into WM again. In addition to winter usage, there's a WM at a nearby resort town that I visit a few times each summer for golf tournaments.

 

[easyrider]

Thanks Bill. I do think I'll look into WM again. In addition to winter usage, there's a WM at a nearby resort town that I visit a few times each summer for golf tournaments.

You could use bonus time to stay there. We booked a couple short trips to Leavenworth using bonus time. The first trip was for two nights and the next trip in December is for two nights.

Bill

 

[b2bailey]

A few more things.
I like to golf. Like way too much. Wife doesn't really play seriously, but we'll do 9 holes just to spend time together. So relatively inexpensive golf, even at executive type courses, would be nice.

I've started looking into Worldmark again. Haven't really looked since we bought first TS 20 years ago. WM is a real possibility for at least a portion of the overall stay, but the thought of buying into another TS (system) is not that appealing. At least resale memberships are cheap. Need to research more, re: one time credit rentals, etc

I'd suggest you keep your eyes open for a Wyndham "gift-away" here on TUG.
I'm an owner thanks to generosity of a Tugger.

 

[easyrider]

Thanks Bill. I do think I'll look into WM again. In addition to winter usage, there's a WM at a nearby resort town that I visit a few times each summer for golf tournaments.

If you have a friend or family member that owns a Worldmark and has RCI , they can book RCI "extra vacations" for you. There is a guest certificates fee of about $100. My brother in law uses my account when ever he likes. Their last trip was for two weeks in a two bed unit last October in Vegas with a cost of about $1,600 including the guest certificates.

Bill

 

[DaveNV]

I live in Mesquite, Nevada. About an hour from Las Vegas. There are short-term rentals available here, generally through local real estate companies. There are RV parks in the area. This town has seven golf courses. You could play a lot before getting tired of things.

Just an idea to explore.

Dave

 

[pedro47]

Suggestion only…To the OP, why are you driving to your destination. Suggestion only I would fly to my destination on a cheap flight , rent a vehicle and look for getaway timeshares vacations in California, Nevada and Arizona.

 

[Brett]

I maintained two households for years. It was an awful, unnecessarily-expensive process. Unfortunately it was also unavoidable. Here's what I learned:

1) Property managers won't lift anything heavier than money. And the only thing they really provide is a false sense of security. If anything goes wrong, the homeowner pays for all of it and the property manager has nothing but excuses as to why this wasn't his or her fault.
2) Having two sets of everything you need (or lugging it back and forth) is a pain. I was "lucky" in that all my tools were stolen the last time I switched residences. So now I only have the one set of tools.
3) If there is a way for the plumbing system at home to break in such a way that it is egregiously expensive, it will. This is also when freak accidents (like a drunk driver taking out your mailbox) will happen -- almost as soon as you leave.
4) The wifi router and/or security cameras will glitch almost as soon as you leave the house. It's not even worth having them.
5) The neighbor who you trust to keep an eye on your place has a young cousin who is a burglar.

 

[Elan]

I live in Mesquite, Nevada. About an hour from Las Vegas. There are short-term rentals available here, generally through local real estate companies. There are RV parks in the area. This town has seven golf courses. You could play a lot before getting tired of things.

Just an idea to explore.

Dave

Yep, I've been to Mesquite (and St George) a couple of times for golf trips. Nice area. Would consider spending a portion of winter there. Just have to stay away from Lee's. That place is insane.

 

[Elan]

Suggestion only…To the OP, why are you driving to your destination. Suggestion only I would fly to my destination on a cheap flight , rent a vehicle and look for getaway timeshares vacations in California, Nevada and Arizona.

Some big advantages to driving in terms of what one can bring along, but primarily cost savings. Air for 2 is $500-700 and car rental for 4-6 weeks is maybe $1.5k to $2k, depending. We can drive down, including a nights hotel stay each direction for approximately $500-600 total.

 

[RENTER]

Was my plan until I started to hear about the squatter horror stories and the squatters have more rights than the homeowners. Some homeowners were even arrested for trying to get the squatters out.

You don't even have to be gone for a few months. Homeowners gone a week have returned to find squatters in their homes.

 

[Elan]

Was my plan until I started to hear about the squatter horror stories and the squatters have more rights than the homeowners. Some homeowners were even arrested for trying to get the squatters out.

You don't even have to be gone for a few months. Homeowners gone a week have returned to find squatters in their homes.

Honestly, not at all concerned about this. I've already got decent surveillance of my house, which I'd further augment, and am good friends with all of my neighbors. I'd know within minutes if someone was here that didn't belong.

 

[jp10558]

Personally I'm reasonably happy stringing together several weeks from owned points, and RCI + II cash deals. But I'm generally only looking for ~3 weeks or so. Florida though is the reasonable drive for me (and that's a bit of a stretch), but I agree with the above - flying just costs so much more if you've got the time and wherewithall to do it - especially if you are going anywhere you'd need to rent a car for also. Especially if you've got 3-4 people like I do for my trips.

 

[Passepartout]

Suggestion only…To the OP, why are you driving to your destination. Suggestion only I would fly to my destination on a cheap flight , rent a vehicle and look for getaway timeshares vacations in California, Nevada and Arizona.

 

[rickandcindy23]

January-February is pretty easy to get via ongoing search in II for several areas, including Palm Desert, especially if you can deal with a 1 bedroom.

We pieced together a trip for Maui over the last 3 years, six weeks starting early February, using owned weeks and exchanges. Exchanges work for me, but it's definitely time consuming.

Orlando is easy to get multiple weeks, January-February. You can get a Marriott resorts easily during that time. We met several couples by the pool at Marriott's Cypress Harbour over the years that stay there all winter. Exchanging works. It's quiet, the units are all 2 bedroom, and the kitchens are pretty nice. Even a larger washer/dryer.

 

[Elan]

January-February is pretty easy to get via ongoing search in II for several areas, including Palm Desert, especially if you can deal with a 1 bedroom.

We pieced together a trip for Maui over the last 3 years, six weeks starting early February, using owned weeks and exchanges. Exchanges work for me, but it's definitely time consuming.

Orlando is easy to get multiple weeks, January-February. You can get a Marriott resorts easily during that time. We met several couples by the pool at Marriott's Cypress Harbour over the years that stay there all winter. Exchanging works. It's quiet, the units are all 2 bedroom, and the kitchens are pretty nice. Even a larger washer/dryer.

Thanks for the availability info.

I don't mind dealing with exchanges, although it's been awhile since I belonged to an exchange company (RCI). It's just the logistics of linking multiple stays together that causes some uneasiness. Having said that, I'm willing to book a Residence Inn or similar to fill any gaps.

No interest in FL.

 

[ScoopKona]

Honestly, not at all concerned about this. I've already got decent surveillance of my house, which I'd further augment, and am good friends with all of my neighbors. I'd know within minutes if someone was here that didn't belong.

Yeah, I thought that too.

I've had to go with the county constable twice to evict squatters. Frankly, you don't really know your neighbors until you leave for a few months. Good luck.

 

[x3 skier]

I'm getting ready for my 28th winter in Steamboat Springs CO. I'm a true Snowbird since I go to the snow . I do take a week or two in Puerto Vallarta in April to thaw out.

 

[DaveNV]

Yep, I've been to Mesquite (and St George) a couple of times for golf trips. Nice area. Would consider spending a portion of winter there. Just have to stay away from Lee's. That place is insane.

It does get kind of busy there.

Dave

 

[RENTER]

Honestly, not at all concerned about this. I've already got decent surveillance of my house, which I'd further augment, and am good friends with all of my neighbors. I'd know within minutes if someone was here that didn't belong.

Yeah that works. I have heard this story in the news before from those whose homes have been taken over

 

[easyrider]

Some big advantages to driving in terms of what one can bring along, but primarily cost savings. Air for 2 is $500-700 and car rental for 4-6 weeks is maybe $1.5k to $2k, depending. We can drive down, including a nights hotel stay each direction for approximately $500-600 total.

We usually drive to anywhere considered South West USA for the same reasons you listed. Part of the fun for us is the road trip.

Bill

 

[RENTER]

Honestly, not at all concerned about this. I've already got decent surveillance of my house, which I'd further augment, and am good friends with all of my neighbors. I'd know within minutes if someone was here that didn't belong.

Also, while this issue does not involve squatters but burglary, I am sure those two Kansas Chief football stars thought the same thing. A big problem now that the NFL is warning players about this issue. I am sure they all have good neighbors and excellent security systems.

 

[easyrider]

Also, while this issue does not involve squatters but burglary,

Ok, we all know Shi* happens.

Bill

 

[Elan]

We usually drive to anywhere considered South West USA for the same reasons you listed. Part of the fun for us is the road trip.

Bill

Same. I love a good road trip.

 

[b2bailey]

Yeah, I thought that too.

I've had to go with the county constable twice to evict squatters. Frankly, you don't really know your neighbors until you leave for a few months. Good luck.

I'm confused about intention of this post within a post.

 

[jp10558]

Same. I love a good road trip.

Indeed, sometimes the road trip part is fun also - IDK why exactly, just is.