For the last couple of years during the latter part of winter when even I get tired of it I have been cruising the for sale sections of Craigslist in places like around the Tampa Bay Fl. and Houston for older large yachts like over 40’ just to live aboard during the winter, I have seen many affordable ones, some were so desperate the boats were literally being given away.
I was also looking at Hawaii but I have some doubts about living there in the winter, I keep getting bad vibes about that place. I lived in Houston for 4 years, I know it pretty good, I like Florida but it costs more in dock rental plus the fact of more storms there. I would even slightly consider California in the Delta but unfortunately its the sad fact its California.
So I can give you an answer, many Alaskans have another place they go to in the winter, most do Hawaii, many have a home in Oregon or Arizona. I am almost about to seriously doing something, I moved here in 1992, back in 2004 I rented a vacation home in Orlando for a month, that was a blast, kinda expensive though and I haven’t done it since.
He may go for that except he swears the temperature during the summer in Alaska is only 30 deg for 1 week (he’s joking)
I can tell you this, if you do want to come to Florida now is the time to do it. Marina’s are hurting for business. So many people here have lost their homes, their jobs, savings etc the toys had to go. Tons of boats on the market for little to nothing and hundreds of open slips that need filling.
A friend of ours lives on a boat all year round near Key Largo, even though he’s been at the same spot for years his slip rent was cut in half a few months ago. In order to get new business they had to lower their rates, existing renters threw fits and were given the new rate.
At least we’ll be sending Marco Rubio to the Senate and Allen West to the House come November - a good reason to give Florida another look IMO.
Have you considered a smallish diesel pusher (motorhome), then go anywhere you want in the winter? Stay in state parks for less than $20/night. Florida has FANTASTIC state parks-dozens of them (most have water/elec. hookups)- and you can stay 14 nights in one park before you have to move on to another. While you’re moving from one place to another, you ban boondock at most Walmart’s and Cracker Barrels for free.
Or take the ferry to Bellingham, then drive down the west coast toward Vegas, SW states and Texas. They’re nice destinations in the winter as well. I’m sure there are plenty of great state parks down that way as well.
Gas is pricey, but if you’re considering a yacht, gas for that would be pretty steep as well. And once you get where you’re going, $20/night is peanuts. Consider that you’re not heating your stick house, using hot water and other elec., subtract that savings and your nightly cost to camp is probably only $10/night.
We love our motorhome and take it to Florida every year for a month as well as use it in state parks in the mid-Atlantic.
Just sayin...