Anxiety of Where To Stay!

[aztex]

Howdy!

 

I ended up "full timing" before I was quite ready. I've been able to address most all issues except I still feel anxiety of where I'll stay night to night.

I guess the fall back Walmart, truck stops, casinos could get me by but I think I'd like to find at least a couple weeks at a time so I can set up shop and get to work.

 

I guess it'll work out but it's the last major emotional hurdle for me! I LOVE my Airstream and when I think of renting a place and continuing to plan better I don't want to "move out" of my Airstream!

 

I have a storage full of stuff that needs to be addressed in Tucson....get rid of 99% of it no problem!

 

Any advice?

 

Thanks!

 

Aztex

[NDBirdman]

Loss of house, loss of job, loss of income, etc.  Maybe explain why your homeless?  Lots of campsites have long term lots, I see ppl set up that seem to never leave in our travels.  Have you checked campsites?  Monthly rates at alot of places are fairly inexpensive, most cheaper than a house/apartment.  Remove alot of your storage items and sell at a friends garage/yard sale?  Find a Goodwill, etc and donate stuff?  Sounds like your fallbacks, Walmart, etc are free places.  Don't think those places will let you set up much more than an over-night stop.  Camp out in the desert on BLM, etc?  Sorry, I'm just rambling.  Not much info to go on, hope it's not bad.

[Twotoes]

You mentioned Tucson. Escapees has a Co-Op just South in Benson. You can get a monthly rental there for about $350 to $400 with full hookup. It’s about 40/45 miles south of Tucson, about 30/35 min drive. Some lots have a storage shed on them you can use for an additional  $50 a month. Give them a call. They may be full now but will have sites open after March or April. 

[rocksbride]

One of our favorite ways to find places to stay when heading out to new territory is through a site called RV Park Reviews.  I just checked the Iink and it looks like the name has changed to Campground Reviews.  http://www.campgroundreviews.com

Search the area where you'd like to visit and a number of choices will come up, along with nearby towns to explore further.  The reviews are written by people who've stayed on site, and their opinions reflect what they value at a campground.  You can tell pretty quickly if you'd like to explore a place further.

The other nice feature is that many reviews will reference the campground's website and often you will find an satellite map to get a feel whether your rig will fit or not, how to approach the entrance, etc.

I'm sure other Escapees will recommend their favorite websites they use to plot their next stay.  This is just the first we consult when checking out a completely new area.  

Many sites will offer discounts if you stay a week or a month at a time. Have fun on your new adventure.  We've been full-time since 2008. It's a great way to live.

[2gypsies]

This really shouldn't be a problem.  There are RV parks just about near every town.  The smaller towns have great city park campgrounds as well as county parks.  Each state has many state parks and then there are national parks, Corp of Engineer parks and national forest campgrounds throughout the country.

When moving drive until you feel you want to stop for the day.  Within an hour or two of your planned stopping time, look on a map at the next town.  Go to RVParkReviews.com and plug in that town and it will show you parks in that town and also within a small radius of it.  If you want you can then call the park to double check that they'll have a space. If not, pick another park in that area. 

Once you start a procedure for doing it you'll find that it really is very simple.  We didn't make reservations but if you feel more comfortable doing it, especially at first, then do it if it makes you feel better.

You can do this!!! Have fun traveling and stop worrying.

 

[aztex]

Thanks!

 

I guess the "problem" is Tucson in winter during gem show.... there's just not much available in the spots I'm aware of.

My "houseless" situation stems from the fact I was seriously considering at least a long term RV adventure but as departure approached realized I was not ready. THEN owners of my rental decided to sell at the last minute giving me 30 day notice. Since I was already set fro Quartzsite gem shows and no rentals appealed to me back in December... here I am!

 

I'm doing ok having set up shop in my Airstream but finding set up and break down take a day each, at least a day with not much else production wise happening...

 

I'm still discovering stuff on Escapees!

 

Thanks,

 

Az Tex

[2gypsies]

Give a call to some in Casa Grande, Eloy, Marana, Green Valley, Amado. The Benson Escapees park is 40 mi. east of Tucson.... less than an hour. There are other parks in Benson.  What about Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson?

[whj469]

If Tucson is were you want to be, Escapees is an excellent place to be and at a very reasonable cost. We don't go unless we have reservations and we don't do boon docking.  We want TV, AC and full hookups. There are lots of RV parks around the country almost anywhere you want to be and many are reasonable. Sometimes, like within the next two months, I am unable to find a good spot in SW Florida, Ft. Myers. But that is not often and because of the great weather in winter it can be hard to find an RV spot in south Florida. Good Luck

[Solo18]

How about some more information so we can help you better?

1. Do you need to be in Tucson for some reason every day?  At least until you get your storage cleaned out?
2. Are you currently working and need to be near Tucson for a while?  That might mean you need someplace to stay very close to town.
3. Do you need internet access?  This probably means you cannot stay in the desert away from cell service and such.  Related to this is, "Do you have a mobile hotspot to get internet, or do you need to rely on campgrounds for service?"
4. Are you over 62 so you can get a Federal senior pass?  This means 50% off on nearly all federal parks, so it would make a difference recommending a cheaper place. 

If you can be a little away from Tucson, I highly recommend Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Mountain park.  It is $20 per night for seniors, at least, and it is a beautiful place.  It is first-come, first-served, so you have to be there by 10 or 11 am, to get a spot this time of year.

Most of us full-timers completely understand your not wanting to move out of your Airstream!  Your RV becomes your home, and I miss mine during the few times when I leave it at an airport and go to visit someone.  I even prefer to stay nearby in my motorhome when I go to visit relatives!  Welcome to the exclusive club!

[2gypsies]

Here a free place in Tucson - BLM Snyder Hill.

https://www.campendium.com/snyder-hill

Also for long-term consider checking the many mobile home parks in Tucson. Many have spots for RVs.

[aztex]

Thanks again,

It seems most, err/ALL the parks in Tucson are full up!

 

A couple kinda cool mid price range may have openings in March. I have a spot in Yuma for a couple weeks and am prepped for boondocking maybe out Anza Borrego region. I need internet though so I'll have to see what I get before I commit.

 

Good news is I'm able to sustain my business! Maybe a 20% reduction in efficiency out of the Airstream but just working out kinks. If I can find a good spot and unroll out side a bit more I'll be doing great!

 

Az Tex