Peoria, Arizona
A new breed of snowbird
Terry and Jeanie Miller enjoy the best of RVing and owning a home
Always in bloom: The desert in bloom is a gorgeous sight that helps Terry and Jeanie Miller to appreciate their second home in Arizona.—photo courtesy Terry Miller
The snowbird is a migratory creature whose traditional nesting areas include Canada and the northern states, but it tends to winter in warmer climates to escape seasonal cold temperatures. Traditionally, snowbirds travel with a small, mobile version of their nest so they always feel at home, no matter what their migratory pattern. However, the species is evolving to include a new breed: one that travels more lightly and keeps two nests.
Terry and Jeanie Miller from Cranbrook, B.C., are a part of this new generation of snowbird. In 2007, they purchased a park model RV that is now situated on a leased lot in an RV resort in Peoria, Arizona. It’s been an ideal setup for the Millers, who share the spot with Terry’s two sisters and their husbands.
“I would say the choice was made because…we wanted something that was very nice, very doable and very affordable,” said Terry. “We made that work because it was an up-front cost and a lesser cost and we get to share all the ongoing costs.”
Essentially, the Millers have created their own time-share home that gives them all flexibility in terms of when and for how long they visit. As well, the costs are far more reasonable than had they bought a free-standing house or even a traditional mobile RV.
“We signed up for five years,” said Terry. “At the end of five years, we’ll see if any of us or all of us are still interested in doing it.”
Terry said there has been a lot of discussion among himself, Jeanie, his sisters and even visitors about why they chose to go with a park model RV rather than a typical mobile RV.
“I think people have to establish what’s right for them,” he said, “whether you like to be on the move or if you like to have new adventures and if you don’t want to be stuck in one spot. At first blush, I suppose it’s less expensive. You can take your vehicle down and park by the week or by the month or for free if you go out into the desert and park. There are people who go down and buy a home. And then there are people like us who are in the middle.”
Terry said that owning a park model RV has given them all the creature comforts of a home away from home. The unit is roughly 1,200 square feet with three separate bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms, vaulted ceilings and miles away from what mobile homes used to be. As well, the cost was very reasonable, primarily because the market is growing.
The RV resort where the Millers have set up home is one of the many that have age restrictions; the Millers’ community is geared toward adults 55 years and older. The neighbourhood is quieter but grandchildren of the residents often add a bit of energy to the streets.
Terry admits that he is intrigued by some of the nearby RV resorts.
“Sun City, Arizona—which is a suburb of Phoenix—is a 55-plus city,” he said. “The place is jammed—there’s hardly anything for sale there—and golf carts are legal on the road. The grocery store in Sun City has a golf cart parking lot.”
Miller believes more Canadian retirees are looking at the option of owning an RV pad in Arizona because it’s an affordable alternative for those who want a second home. With golf being a popular pastime—which is no surprise because the winter weather is practically perfect every day—many RV resorts feature golf courses to attract residents.
“The golf course runs for blocks and blocks through the neighbourhood and it becomes the backyard of all of these homes,” said Terry. “And generally, (they’re) not big, expensive homes because snowbirds and retirees aren’t really looking at investing huge amounts of money in their second home.”
The Millers say they enjoy the amenities at their resort, which include a pool, computer room, gym and ongoing security when they aren’t in Arizona.
“But the real reason we’re here is the weather,” said Terry, adding that he and Jeanie enjoy the best of both worlds. “We get spring (in Cranbrook) with the new, regenerated life…but March in the desert can be awfully gorgeous. In March, the desert is in bloom and it’s gorgeous.”
Now, the Millers are back in Canada. Terry is heavily involved in the Cranbrook Community Theatre and is preparing to direct a play in the early fall season. However, while auditioning potential cast members, he made it very clear that the dates of performance with the final wrap-up party were firm—he’s already planning to join the snowbird migration in the autumn.
Arizona key contacts
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