Interesting Post

I subscribe to a Yahoo RV group and I found this post to be very interesting. A person can live dirt cheap if they are of a mind to. We do not care to live this spartan but for those who do this sounds pretty good. I thought some of you might find this an interesting read if nothing else.
Barb

From a man named Fred:
"I happened onto my present unadvertised (not on the Net) semi-boondocking itty-bitty RV park (40 units on 40 acres: lots of room for each RV site) in the middle of nowhere (about 60-70 miles from Quartzsite, no neighbors outside the park for several miles) via a friend while shopping around for a winter parking area. Advantages of where I'm at right now: a permanent site (can develop it anyway we want: I have two sheds, an outdoor model RR layout, ham radio antennas, minor landscaping with transplanted cactus) which I can
leave in place year round (I travel during the summer, much less so in winter since everyplace else north of the SW has that white stuff) as long as I pay my rent ($400/yr). Nearest RV neighbor over 200' away. QUIET. Co-op type community with clubhouse, park showerhouse and laundry; security is not a problem although many of us are quite security conscious. Disadvantages (depending upon one's perception): we provide out own electricity via solar, wind, or generators; water available for only two hours per day; black water pumpout twice per week by sign-up; marginal cellphone reception; season is 1 Oct to 1 May and most of clear out by mid-April due to the high temps; and a really unpleasant park manager (I'm being kind here). My 3+-yr old kitten can run free to chase lizards, rattlesnakes, woodrats and other rodents.

The only other similar RV park in AZ of which I am aware is in Ajo which is too far away from the nearest VA facility. I'd boondock on nearby BLM land but security and permanence would then become major issues. Until I find a better situation, I'm not about to move into what would amount to a full boondocking area for six months (I don't think there is such a thing as a "prefect" RV situation). Again, to each his/her own; cost is less of a factor for me than a place to settle for winter months where I can be left alone."

His next post:

If you know about Snowbird West RV Park, then you know it's the best kept open secret in the southwest RV world. This is my sixth season here and I have no intent to move elsewhere for future winters nor anyplace else which has even a chance of seeing that white stuff from the sky.

SBW is definitely underutilized because the owner would rather use it as a tax write-off than as a profitable endeavor (she declined to shell out the $100/year for a website domain). Besides the 40 or so permanent sites, we have some 50 additional transient sites for overnighters, weekly, or monthly RVer folk who might want to check it out or just stay for a little while. The park has never been in an "overcrowded" condition with wall-to-wall RVs 10' apart nor have we ever had to take a number in a line to take a shower.

When I first came here in Oct 2004, I stayed in the transient section for a couple weeks because I didn't believe this place was too good to be true and didn't have some sort of hidden major problem, agenda, nor hang-up. I quickly learned that SBW was an ideal location and became a permanent resident. We've got folk who have been here for over 20 years. We permanents tamed the nasty park manager (in his 80s) and all is now quite pleasant with each resident making his/own determination about how active s/he wants to be in the park's community and social life. There's Bingo every Wed and Sat evenings in the clubhouse and card and dominoes most every day, none of which in which I participate, Thanksgiving, Xmas, and New Year's dinners (a FEAST for us single males tired of our own cooking; the ladies here love to cook and bake!), occasional pancake breakfasts, and coming up on 14 Feb is a "Sweetheart Breakfast". I'm a loner, don't participate all that much in social activities but if I want to get out, I have that option.

Also as stated earlier, I have the room for my site set up for my model RR, ham radio antennas, and two storage sheds plus a sun/rain tarp with frame to keep me comfortable and busy during winter months. I don't have to move anything except my RV travel trailer when I leave in mid-April when the temps hit the 100s.

There are disadvantages, as mentioned before: our post office (Salome, AZ 85348) is 25 miles away one way (we take turns picking up the park mail); choice of receiving mail via the park PO Box or renting one on your own (I have my own, check it once or twice per week); the nearest Walmart/Safeway is 50 miles one way; my VA in Prescott is 105 miles one way. Salome has propane, gas, a small mini-mart, and RV repairs albeit for higher prices.

Exit 69 (Ave 75E) off Arizona I-10, 1.5 miles north (can't go south on the Exit) on right side of the dirt road. Five bucks per night for transients, $400 for the 1 Oct to 1 May season.

Fred
Snowbird West RV Park