RG Valley still favorite destination with Winter Texans

Long, long ago, I remember a large number of RVs parked at the Laredo Civic Center parking lot during the winter months. I don't know what arrangement the city had with them at that time but whatever it was, they've stopped coming down here long ago.  The Gateway City has long since ceded the lucrative Winter Texan market to the Rio Grande Valley which remains the top destination for that particular demographic.

According to Yahoo, the Rio Grande Valley is tops, followed by :
Rockport
Kerrville
Canyon Lake and
East Texas

Laredo is nowhere to be found on this particular list.

From Yahoo, by Christy Claxton

Every fall, a long line of RVs parade through the state of Texas as folks from the north make their way to warmer weather for the winter. The transient group is called Winter Texans or more causally, Snowbirds. Not only do they come in search of more temperate winter weather, but they require good healthcare, high quality RV parks, and plenty of senior activities. Texas embraces this positive population because they are often the balance in an economy that would otherwise be reliant on summer vacations. If you're thinking of joining this Southward bound group of RVers, here are 5 of the best destinations in Texas.

1. The Rio Grande Valley: This is probably the gold standard in Winter Texan destinations for a variety of reasons. The weather is temperate in the winter, so balmy breezes and ocean air make this a real winter vacation. Healthcare is abundant in the Valley.

There are major medical centers in McAllen, Brownsville, and Harlingen. One of the most attractive medical features is Mexico. Many retired Winter Texans need to conserve their money, and they find that pharmaceuticals are less expensive across the border. A word of warning on that. The drug violence in Mexico may be something to consider for safety reasons.

The Valley is rife with RV parks. Take your choice. Whether you want that Gulf Breeze, a heated pool, a walking trail or a variety of other senior activities, just about all the resorts are vying for that Winter Texas dollar. Bird watchers will be in paradise in this warm climate. The Brownsville International Birding Festival is definitely a highlight for the nature lover.