Old Fogey's Home on the Range, Rockport, Texas
Quiet, comfortable neighborhood. Little grass, almost no upkeep. Laid back lifestyle.
Our Community Building across the pond. We have dancing, bingo, yard sales and other social gatherings in the park. An indoor swimming pool is to the left of the willow.
Winter Texan? Aren't they all that in winter in Texas? Nope, Winter Texans are those people who move from homes elsewhere to Texas for the Winter. Some will say why would anyone go to Texas for the Winter. Look at the ice storms in Dallas - Fort Worth. Look at how Amarillo gets so cold and socked in with snow. The big secret, in more ways than one is South Texas. South of Houston, South of San Antonio. Some think they have to go to the Valley, the Rio Grande to be warm but places farther north like my Rockport, just a few miles north of Corpus Christi, remain mostly balmy all winter long.
Large numbers of Northerners move to Texas for up to six months every winter. They come from all over. My friends are mostly mid-American, but we have people from Hawaii (kind of a mystery) and Alaska, lots of Canadians but the Heartland from Ohio to Colorado supply most of the people who come to live a leisurely, laid back life style among others who have reached a mature level of life but still want socializing and recreation.
Texans can be proud. Unlike some places, Texans call us Winter Texans, not Snowbirds which can be derogatory at times. Texans treat us like we are the real thing and with good reason, we bring money they would not otherwise see. I will have to get a count of Winter Texans but that is difficult because the number climbs upwards each year. I would guess several million are included in those who swell the size of places like Rockport (approx 10,000 to maybe 35,000) for much of the Winter. The valley has become a large metropolitan complex. From Brownsville west to Mission it is becoming like any large city. Traffic, congestion and growing and maintaining pains. Construction is a constant.
Many of us live in rather secluded and out of the way parks. Ours, the Circle W RV Ranch, is even gated. Others go to the valley and live shoulder to shoulder. So, what is the big draw beside warmer weather? For some it is Mexico. There is a steady stream of cheaper prescription drugs and not so cheap liquor coming from Mexico. For some seniors it can be said that the Mexican drugs not only provide them with life sustaining medications, they also provide them at affordable prices which allow for the annual trek.
Although prices of real estate and all commodities are rising just like everywhere, south Texas living can be much cheaper than up north. Less heating costs, plentiful foodstuffs from local farmers as well as from Mexico. A year round spot for an RV where the owners only occupy six months or less can be less than $1500/year. Electric and propane are high but we learn to conserve. Most of us are over 65. We party, dance, and socialize big time but at low cost. A beer and some cheese goes a long way toward making Happy Hour happy.
I could go on and on about the benefits and glories of a Winter in South Texas but I am running out of steam here. I will add articles as the audience desires. Thanks for reading this. Come visit some time.
South Texas sounds great! I don't blame you for going there. Seems a little windy there. Watch out for goose poop! ;-)
This side of the pond we generally go to Malta (If we decide to head out for the winter)
No, never. I have been to Malta only as a tourist on short breaks. Because British seniors can collect working and state pensions in Malta, they tend to winter there.
I don't have a pension yet.
That's really cool.
The EU hasn't lived up to the promises at all in that respect.
Ya know my wife and I were thinking about moving there permanently, she has alot of problems with her joints and the Indiana winter is way too much for her. I tried getting her to come to Iraq with me, but you could probably guess what her answer was.LOL By the way how is the employment rate down in that neck of the woods..
Haven't been here but gets hot as Hades
So does iraq, but that doesn't mean I would like it on a permanent basis I guess. Although the fishing sounds nice
Good point about the flies, I can't say I would really miss those much.
I hope you have a wondrous winter, no matter where you are.
I am glad there are other advantages besides the warm weather.
Do you miss the snow??
Nice video.
Sounds nice. Out of curiosity, how's the winter humidity. I spent a winter in New Orleans, and even though it wasn't that cold 40's or so, the high humidity just sort of "sank" right through me.
No, oldfogey thank-you for the nice story. Now that you mention it the SW prevailing wind would make a difference. I think the wind in NO was coming right off the water.
Most of us are over 65. We party, dance, and socialize big time but at low cost. A beer and some cheese goes a long way toward making Happy Hour happy.
I am soooo jealous! I think you wrote this, Old Fogey, to deliberately lure me from Britain. It sounds so wonderful, especially the social aspect of it. Well, I like challenges so, let's do a deal: you find me a really fab hunk looking for a gorgeous, scintillating gal, and I will be on that plane like a shot!
Lovely post, in your own engaging and inimitable style. Thank you.
You are such a smoothie, Old Fogey. Heartthrob? And where was your dear lady friend when you were enjoying yourself so much? ha ha. Men can be so greedy. :o)
But, I suppose only the strongest will do, as you rightly say, otherwise they might keel over just at merely seeing me..:o)
Hi Old Fogey,
I lived in San Antonio when I was pregnant with my first-born. Then I lived in both Houston and Rosenberg when I was expecting my middle child.
I didn't like San Antonio all that much, but I loved Houston. I went fishing of a pier in Corpus Christi once. That was a great experience...you drop your line, and you got a bite within just a few minutes.
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