If you are going to be living in Texas most of the time, that might be a logical home base state. Introduce yourself and your RV. Furthermore, you only have to renew your driver’s license in person once every 8 years. You have the convenience of all the necessary RV hookups like water, sewer, electric, and cable already in … Norbert Eisele-Hein/imageBROKER/Shutterstock, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), explains Auto Insurance Specialists (AIS), Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Today I live and travel in our RV, all while working full-time from the road. Here are some resources to learn more about a home base in these two states: We welcome comments from other RV fulltimers on where they make their home base and why? There are three key states that make great domiciles: Texas, South Dakota, and Florida. Because yes, we have met people who ferried over RVs from Europe! In addition to Texas and SD, Florida is another possibility. Do not give up your dream! The couple should look for a low mileage used RV to try this idea out for a year. Another issue is voting, Texas has the most liberal absentee voting I’ve seen. These codes may make it illegal to live off-grid. But unless you’re wealthy or retired, how do you make such a dramatic lifestyle change while you still need to earn money? “There are several types of RV sites that you can choose from if you’re looking to park your RV somewhere long-term,” explains Auto Insurance Specialists (AIS). The second state that caters to full-time RVer domiciles is Texas. It allows you to embrace a lifestyle of whimsy. This typically requires a physical street address, a driver’s license, voter registration, and related legal documents for your RV such registration. The easiest route to owning land that you can place your RV to live permanently is to look into purchasing a lot in an RV Co-op. Camping in National Parks. I always find it hard to leave because there is so much … Can I Live in My RV on My Own Property? Another option if you are buying a new RV is to consider an LLC in Montana (no sales tax). I’ve had several discussion with the court clerk in El Paso who says that notwithstanding the fact that I’m hardly ever in Texas at my legal residence (I still own an empty house there), I still am required to return from wherever I am for jury duty. Check out this collection of the coolest tiny home in each state. South Dakota and Texas are popular choices as a home base state for RVers. What!?! Learn if there is corruption in the police force or whether you can trust them. Answer: We can offer a few suggestions. Who says you can’t take it with you when you go? If your RV breaks down or if you develop medical problems that prevent you from traveling, you will need to figure out where to stay and how to pay for the associated costs. If you have any other documentation that supports your legal carry, such as a concealed carry permit, make sure you always have those documents with you, plus your state laws and/or the state you are traveling to and their laws pertaining to weapons. I am going full time soon and have tried to research the subject and seems like a lot of contrary info. Try to keep a savings account that will allow you to live for one full year without your RV. The amount and source of the income you're receiving can be a siginficant factor in your choice of home state. By far one of the best reasons to choose Wyoming for RV living is its unmatched natural beauty. As you weigh alternatives, compare insurance costs, registration and other fees and requirements for vehicle inspections. States That Allow Riding in a Travel Trailer or Fifth-Wheel. Some states allow non-residents to register vehicles. Some states have sales taxes, others don't. In the US, you need a permanent address for everything—even RV parks will even ask for this info!—which is difficult when you live on wheels and no longer have a “permanent residence.” Having a permanent address is necessary for registration, voting, insurance, taxes (and so on and so forth), which is why you’ll need to set up a domicile before you hit the road. Not counting Hawaii—as member TonyDi quipped, “They don’t even have decent highways so you can get there”—these two states were voted as the least RV-friendly. Another option if you are buying a new RV is to consider an LLC in Montana (no sales tax). Many towns and cities will not permit you to live in an RV on your own land. And we encourage potential fulltimers to read as much as possible about fulltiming as they make decisions. Colorado is among the most popular states for RVs thanks to its mountains, lakes, streams, wildflowers, forests, sand dunes, red rock formations, four national parks, 42 state parks, five national monuments and 25 scenic and historic byways! It … They also took care of registering our car in SD, when we first made SD our legal address. Remember, once you find the land you want and are ready to park your RV, contact the county to make sure that you obtain all of the proper permits necessary to live your RV lifestyle. You may be unlucky and find that location after location will only allow you to live in a camper on your property for a short period while you build a permanent structure. Definitely join Escapees and check out their forums and information on establishing Texas residency. State by State Sales Tax This table lets you know how much extra you'll be paying for goods purchased in each state. Anybody else had this problem? Once you decide you’re ready to settle down, at least for a little while, you’ll face a different kind of challenge: figuring out where on earth to park your RV long term. But the state you choose is totally up to you! If you’re tempted to try RVing, you can start by renting an RV at a site like RVShare and Outdoorsy. Whether you’re hauling a heavy trailer or sitting behind the wheel of … The Caveats of Private Property RV Living. So you have decided you want to live in an RV, you want to experience the adventure and freedom that comes with life on wheels, but you are not quite sure if you can afford it. If you’re working in small spaces, check out these solutions for storage. These laws can change, and that would mean you’re no longer legal. Those states are Florida, Texas… Some states are beginning to question the legality of this arrangement, but it may be worth pursuing. She loves writing about her travels, health, wellness, home decor, food and drink, fashion, beauty and scientific news. Keep your coach, Research the area where you want to live CAREFULLLY! Those few who can’t afford regular housing have no choice but to live in and RV year round. The spontaneity and perpetual adventure of not having firm roots is a huge part of what draws many full-timers to the lifestyle in the first place. Make sure that you have adequate insurance for your RV and for your own health. Elease Iriarte: You are smart to do as much research as possible before you make the move. You can choose any state to be your domicile state, but there are three states that are “domicile friendly,” making them popular choices for RVers: Texas, Florida, and South Dakota. Yes, you really can live for free or nearly free in your home on wheels! This just doesn’t gel with the consumerist culture of more, more, more that we often run into in RV parks. Before you jump in your RV rental and head over there, there are 4 things you should know first. Question: My wife and I are buying a 5th wheel in Ohio. I'm a Canadian Resident but have registered vehicles in … Tiny house on wheels: Legally considered an RV (recreational vehicle). What Kind of Work Can You Do While Living in an RV? Texas does require you to have your vehicles inspected annually, though they allow you to get them inspected whenever you return to the state — assuming that you actually do return at some point. If you are staying put, I want to lay out some helpful tips and tricks for where to park and live in an RV– legally! You Owners must get proper temporary use permits from the county. So you've decided to live full time in your RV... Congratulations! There’s also an endless amount of nature to explore, from the biggest hole in the world to a petrified forest and the unique saguaro cactus that stands up to 40 feet tall! There’s so much to love about California, and from an RVer’s point of view, it has a lot to do with the seemingly endless opportunities for exploring! Thanks. There are a lot of used RVs out there, both on consignment and those taken in trade on a bigger unit. Follow her traveling adventures on Instagram: @living_by_lex, send her a message: Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! The thing about Texas (my legal residence) is jury duty. Specifically on the subject of RV registration, you can register an RV in the state you use as your legal address. Donna. Even if you are unable to find desirable land that allows for RV use, don’t give up. Also, if you have an older camper or a camper van watch out! Wyoming is another great option for RVer domiciles, since it has no personal property tax, income tax or required vehicle inspections. http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/ind_inc/. Rural areas are much more likely to allow you to live in an RV on your property. The land is pretty cheap and we love the area. I removed the stock microwave and put a toaster oven in there. It all depends how adventurous you are. We have not researched registering a vehicle there. Let’s get this out of the way first: it’s totally legal to live in an RV. Do you deal with the ' in kind support and maintenance' rule? “However, outdoor lovers are usually fascinated by the beauty and easy-going vibe of Arizona. For example, you can’t live in an RV in Houston except in designated areas. With this type of tiny house, you’ll need to register as an RV and figure out a place to park it. Often public areas of the park such as hiking trails may not allow you to bring your dog with you. This includes whether or not you can stay in an RV or camper on your property. It has no state income tax, vehicle registration fees are low, driver’s licenses can be renewed by mail and it’s easy to register to vote by mail. These tips and tricks will help you boost your gas mileage and live a happy Good Life knowing you’re saving a whole boatload of money. I get asked a lot how I handle these challenges, so in this blog […] Living in an RV fulltime allows you to see the world and experience true freedom—but it's not free. Thus, a whole cottage industry has built up that allows RV owners to avoid sales and use tax and often stiff registration fees in the owner’s home state. Many campers get seasonal jobs working in campgrounds or parks, Workamper editor Steve Anderson told CBS News. When you are building a home, you often have to drive back and forth from your current home to the construction site. South Dakota’s southwest corner is among its most alluring destinations for RVers, with the gorgeous Black Hills National Forest, national and state parks and monuments to the past. We welcome others to respond to this interesting question. We’ve RVed in New Zealand, Canada, and Italy and learned that RVing is even more popular abroad than it is here in the States. You don’t really specify what you have in mind as far as location and needs, but I wanted to share with you what my husband and I did. Arizona is undoubtedly one of the top states for RVing, from its great weather during the winter months to its plentiful space to park your rig. For RV owners and motorhome renters, understanding the differences between regular vehicles and RVs will help you make the most of your trip. Escapees is a club that caters to fulltimers, and many fulltime RVers make Texas their legal residence. Florida is a great state for RV living if you’re a full-time RVer domicile. “Arizona is not regarded as a huge money-saver when it comes to establishing permanent residence. Our RV consists of 1 bedroom and a bunk house with 4 bunks. Plus plenty of gorgeous scenery and fall foliage, make sure that you must have a physical address registering! 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