1 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
2 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
3 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
4 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
5 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
6 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
7 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
8 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
9 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
10 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
11 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
12 of 12
by Scott Littlejohn
by Scott Littlejohn
The decision to settle down for a Canadian winter in a small space like an RV is a not to be taken lightly. Warm summer camping can include as much or as little outdoor living as you like, whereas even on Vancouver Island, home of the warmest winters in Canada, few people sit outside in January and have a campfire on a regular basis!
Identifying your wants and needs before you research available RV parks can help you make a better decision. And choosing the right RV park will reward you with a winter that feels effortless and makes you glad you made the decision to choose year round RV living-- even in Canada. Choosing the wrong park for your own unique circumstances can feel like a winter long root canal.
Remember, each of us is a research study of one. What works for others might not for you. While it's still summer, let me propose some questions to ask yourself and then some questions for the RV parks that you're considering.
There's many reasons to resist the temptation to go South to the sun belt for the winter. Work, or to be close to family, or the availability of affordable health care are the most common. For many Snowbirds, wintering in your RV means finding an RV park in a 'warm' part of Canada. But which one?
I'll ask some questions, you make a list of your answers, then assign an importance value for each. Finally, rearrange them with the most important considerations at the top of the list. Knowing what's important to you is key, and organizing your thoughts helps.
If there's two of you, encourage your mate to do the same, so you can discuss your answers and work out compromises in any areas of contention. Remember, the limited space in an RV can seem to shrink dramatically if both folks aren't happy inside it- especially over the course of the winter.
Is this to be a working winter or a tourist winter?
It’s surprising how often people don’t take their lifestyle into consideration when choosing an RV park- don’t be that person! Are one (or both) of you going to be working, and if so, what percentage of the time, and what hours? If working is a part of the equation for one or both, is there a commute, or is it work you will do from the RV, like a computer based business? If it involves driving to work, how far are you prepared to commute? What are the winter roads like between the prospective parks you're considering and the workplace? Are there traffic and rush hour issues? Include commuting fuel costs or fees for transit if available, and make sure to factor that in when you’re doing big picture budgeting. Calculators are encouraged.
OK, after distance to work and its impact on your living location are considered, working Snowbirds are then back to answering the same questions as retirees to find the right RV park. On to lifestyle and how you want to spend your leisure time.
Explorers vs. homebodies?
If you like to spend most of your time in the RV park, you need to do an honest assessment of the onsite amenities of the parks you are considering as it will be an extension of your personal RV space. If you’re an outdoor person, are there trails or pathways to walk? Are the grounds appealing to the eye year round? Is it quiet? Is there a place your dog can be exercised, if you have one?
And if you like to explore a town or a region and want to get involved in offsite winter recreation, what activities do you like to do? The list of things that the active Snowbirds at our park pursue in the winter include: hiking, road and mountain biking, fishing, curling, hockey, skiing, snowshoeing, golf, scuba diving, yoga, fitness, hunting, birding, swimming, snowmobiling, photography, bowling, sailing, dancing, crabbing (the seafood--not arguing with your mate), walking, quads, paddling, touring and caving. Many of these activities take on a different flavour in winter, and many have specialized equipment and costs associated with them, so these things obviously make up part of your decision making process in choosing a park if you’re passionate about any of them.
The point is to think about how you want to spend your recreational time, and how active you want to be. There are clubs and municipal parks & recreation programs that can provide you with a source of training and equipment at a reasonable cost for many of these activities, as well as introduce you to other likeminded enthusiasts.
Winter is a great time to try new things- after all, life isn't a dress rehearsal - you're only onstage once. Think about activities that are high on your priority list and consider how close they are to the RV parks you are considering. Close proximity to your favourite activities can make all the difference to how active you are, especially if you’re working. Again, travel time, vehicle cost and winter driving conditions need to be factored into your location decision.
Are you a Townie or a country person?
Do your pastimes and interests lean toward the natural environment, enjoying parks and touring the country side, or are you a townie, that likes to explore downtown shops, restaurants, theatres, museums and urban recreation like indoor pools, ice rinks or city parks and golf courses? Again, try to think carefully about what blend of activities you're after and dig a bit to find out much distance and travel might be involved in accessing these things from the park locations.
As importantly, is there onsite recreation to be found at the park you are considering? If so, that alone can be a game changer for your park choice, making recreation available a heartbeat from your RV. Is there a clubhouse? What's in it- when is it open? And while we're on the topic of park facilities, what about the park's laundry? Well maintained? Clean? Open early or late? Is the laundry close to the clubhouse, so you can use it during laundry time? Seemingly small things can make big differences.
Are you social or private?
Do you thrive on meeting new people and making new friends? Or are you a private person? Some folks want to know all their neighbours, while some only want to socialize outside of the RV park. Depending on how you answer those questions, find out how much the park facilitates regular social, educational or recreational activities for Snowbirds. Are there potlucks, crafting groups, card nights, dances, yoga and fitness classes, hikes or tours, or invited specialists providing seminars on things like photography, birding, geocaching, computer or social media skills, RV repairs and maintenance? Some parks are big on providing these things, others just leave you to do your own thing. If they do provide these things- ask questions about costs and how often events are organized, and by whom. Some parks facilitate events, while others rely on a Snowbird social committee of some sort, but often contribute to the associated costs.
Total monthly costs: heat, cable, internet
Make sure you compare apples to apples when looking at pricing for the parks you are considering. The monthly site rental rate may seem a bargain, but make sure to factor in costs for heat, cable and Wi-Fi. If you heat with electricity, is that charged separately, and if so, is it metered, and at what rate? Same with Wi-Fi. If Wi-Fi is essential to your lifestyle or work, make sure the park's system is up to date for speed and reliability, and if not, can you contract with your own internet service provider in that park?
Every campground in Canada has been negatively impacted recently by the elimination of the old analog cable TV system, and now each park has been busy trying to negotiate with their cable provider to come up with a system that works for their situation. “It’s complicated”, is an understatement. Ask questions about how many channels are going to be included this winter (it will likely be less than past years), and if it's not what you're hoping for, ask if can you contract with the cable provider yourself. It will vary widely from park to park.
Now none of this stuff is rocket science, but a bit of prep and thought now is time well spent. A good life is like a good diet - balanced. Here's hoping you find your match made in heaven this winter!
Scott Littlejohn is an award winning marketing and social engagement consultant in the tourism industry on Vancouver Island where he’s spent the last 45 years camping and exploring every chance he gets. His family owns and operates Living Forest Oceanside Campground RV Park in Nanaimo.