Newbie Dreamer with questions...

[Riafromnj]

I have reached out to my new RV friends on the forum and have had great responses. So, I am hoping for some feedback.
I was just in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and decided to check out an RV park. Ocean Lakes, I think was the name. It was a very large and commercialized place. I walked through there with a friend and can honestly say, people were not friendly. I was hoping to run into some RV folks and maybe chat a bit. Most people did not make eye contact and were not approachable. This seems to conflict with the friendly and communal sense I get from this and other forums. Is this the norm for RV parks? I guess I am looking for the real scoop on how receptive most folks are at RV parks. I plan to full-time as a solo and I don't want to be lonely out there.
Any thoughts???

[BirdbyBird]

I don't have much experience with the large commercial campgrounds. I have stayed more in the state parks and COE parks. I meet most of the folks that I say hi to or "chat with" while out walking the dog/s. I don't have a lot of experience staying in one campground for extended periods of time where finding new friends is part of my plan. Maybe folks that have will give their 2 cents worth. I have met some interesting folks over the years though while not even trying.

[dayspring39]

As long as you are friendly others will be... however as with everything else there are exceptions...
Put an extra chair out that breaks the ice...
Me and My Shadow wish you the best in your new venture!

[MelissaD]

People are people Some large campgrounds full of seasonal campers remind me of neighborhoods. We camp 90% of our time at our "resort campground" so we see the same people over and over. It took a while for us to learn about them and them about us but over time we are making some great friends. Many people don't want to be intrusive but a simple wave as you walk by and a compliment can often start a conversation. There are the grumpy people that would put up a fence around their site if they could and they grump at anyone that gets near their site. Should a child run near the edge of their site and you would think an army had invaded their country.


"resort campground" - we bought a membership to use the facilities (CG, cabins, pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, fishing lakes) . We pay an annual maintenance fee and can camp their as often as we want up to 13 days at a time then off site for 5 days. It also counts as our home CG for Coast to Coast when we want to use C2C. http://www.lakewoodvillageresort.com/

[retiredhappy]

When I started rving solo I found most people were friendly. I usually had dogs with me and they are great conversation starters especially Sophie (the black and white one) as she thinks its her job in life to greet ANYONE she sees. Occasionally I found couples, especially the wife, not particularly friendly to a solo woman. I keep threatening to get a Tshirt that says, "If I wanted one, I'd get my own."

I have met some absolutely wonderful people while RVing, most of them on this forum.

[VickieP]

We usually camp in state parks or COE parks & most people are friendly. I think more so if they are not with a large group. I looked this park up, it looks really big, something like around 900 sites on top of each other...maybe that's why they weren't friendly. Or maybe it was the $30-$80 fee they paid! Don't let it discourage you, some people will be friendly, some won't & then there are the women who think you're flirting with their husband when you say hi, but that's their problem.

[bluepinecones]

I don't full time either, in fact I'm relatively new at RVing.
I've found a mix of people in campgrounds but think more are friendly than not. Have spent very few nights in really large campgrounds so not sure if those tight spaces equal greater need for privacy.
As far as members on this forum go, all I've been fortunate enough to meet are very friendly and helpful.
To the extent you can, take advantage of our member map ( http://www.womenrv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6117%20)to see where they are located and make stops nearby. Most will come meet you for coffee, lunch etc or even join you camping.
Having a dog seems to also help. Another trick one of the ladies here taught me is to put two chairs out. If someone passing by stops to speak, you can easily invite them to have a seat and visit.

[BarbaraRose]

I haven't gotten out there yet, but from everything I've read and heard, most campers and RV'ers are friendly and willing to chat with neighbors. I wouldn't be discouraged from what you experienced. I don't think that is the norm. Generally, people who don't like to socialize, won't be out camping with tons of other people around them.

[tessa25]

Having dogs definitely helps. And I smile and wave to people I pass. When you sit in front of your camper people stop by to say hi.

I have also seen the angry wife thing.

[BarbaraRose]

I also believe it has a lot to do with ones attitude. If you are friendly, you will attract other friendly people.
And if you have something interesting as a conversation starter (ie, cute friendly dog, unique rig, etc) that helps too.

[VickieP]

Another trick is to ask them something about their RV, things to do in the area or look at their license plate & ask them about things to do or see in their home state.

[snowball]

I think it's like most neighborhoods some are friendly others are not! but I also think it depends upon how we approach others a smile a wave a question always help if the campground has activities take advantage of them you will meet people by reaching out...
sheila

[Riafromnj]

Wow! I have regained my faith in the RV community by the responses here. You all are so kind. My thinking was along the same lines...the park was very large with very little space between rigs. Maybe the need for privacy outweighed the need to be friendly. No eye contact to even make a smile and wave seem appropriate. I will chalk this up as an outlier to the norm and continue with my dream.
P.S. Retiredhappy: I love the T-shirt idea!! "if I wanted one, I'd get my own" too funny!!!!

[Carolinagal]

I have found most to be friendly, Maggie, helps, she is so friendly, she makes people want to stop and chat and if they don't pet her she pouts now I would not be concerned about such a large park not feeling friendly. State parks, Coe, etc., where people are more apt to be traveling and out on an adventure of their own, will share and also be interested in what and where you are going.

Good idea is our member map and contacting a member that you will be in their area, and so many will just come camp with you, visit over lunch or spend a day showing you some of the sights in their home area. So don't judge your solo traveling by a huge park, unless you are going to stay there for months and then as in any neighborhood, you have to slowly work at making friends, as those residents have been there and know each other, probably for ages. I am experiencing that situation now, no one comes down here near my rig, but if I walk up to the front, around the office, I may find someone who is available for a chat. If I told them I would be here each year, for winter or portion of the year, some might be more friendly but I probably will never come back to this park, state park I love near here only allows two week stays, so I can't use it this trip.

Good Luck, being friendly yourself and loving what you're doing is the key to finding people to chat with. Forget the couples mostly as the wife is not going to allow that, but there are many females out there alone and men too, so just plan to enjoy yourself and you'll have a grand time. You must always be alert as to your surroundings though as you do at home, shopping or wherever you are these days.

Enjoy,
CArol

[JudyJB]

I stay mostly in state parks, and I think some are friendlier than others. Actually, friendliest place I ever stayed was Midway in Florida on the Tamiami Trail, and it was a federal campground with no reservations.

I find that a lot of couples go out walking after dinner and before dark. That is a good time to sit out or also go out walking to chat with people. I haven't had any unfriendliness from women who are part of a couple, however, but I like the t-shirt idea!

I don't know if this is right, but I find people friendlier on non-weekends. You mostly get families on weekends, and more older "travelers" during the week, especially off-season.