We have been considering SD, but a number of factors are causing us to think more about Arizona:
:: better and less-expensive health insurance available to us
:: less-frequent DMV check-ins
:: we are far more likely to eventually settle down physically in AZ than in SD
State income tax may one day be a factor, but not a big one, much like our incomes.
Do you use an Arizona mail-forwarding service as a physical address?
Chillyrodent wrote: We have been considering SD, but a number of factors are causing us to think more about Arizona:
:: better and less-expensive health insurance available to us That's a good reason
:: less-frequent DMV check-ins ?? DL's are good for 5 yrs. and tags can be done on-line/mail.
:: we are far more likely to eventually settle down physically in AZ than in SD Or you may decide to settle down in __________ (fill in blank). That's just a change of address later on......no different.
State income tax may one day be a factor, but not a big one, much like our incomes. If I only have to file Federal and No State that's a plus
Do you use an Arizona mail-forwarding service as a physical address? Does the State Of AZ recognize the mail-forwarding service as a physical/legal address? SD does...
Many factors go into choosing a 'domicile' state.
Medical coverage/costs
Taxes
DL's/registration
Residency requirements
Vehicle Ins. Costs
Estate Taxes
State Government attitude towards 'FT RV'rs'
Personal bias
YOU have to weigh what works best for you and your particular needs/expectations.
Don't know specifics of AZ but check out the States residency requirements and recognition of legal address.......that one can be a real thorn.
cpd520 wrote: You might want to check out vehicle registration costs. They are pretty high.
I don't know those costs in all other states, but the states where I have friends and relatives and have seen their registration costs, AZ has been about the same or lower. FYI, here in AZ, whatever your cost to register a vehicle the first year, it goes down almost exactly 15% per year, until it flat lines around something under $50, IIRC.
I recall my folks registration cost in KS appeared to be lower than AZ, until you added in what I best recall was a personal property tax on vehicles there, on top of the registration. The total of the two was quite high.
There iare several reasons why Florida, SD, and Texas are used by most Fulltimers. You really need to check on more than one thing. Like what Arizona mail service can give you a legal physical address?
Barb
Barb & Dave O'Keeffe - full-timing since 2006 Traveling catpanion Shadow (age 15) Figment II (2002 Alpine 36 MDDS) Mischief (2004 Subaru Forester Toad) FMCA - F337834, SKP #90761 Our Blog
New to fulltiming and we found a service that proved to be cheap, more than helpful, and really a wonderful resource. They gave us the right info to make the best choice for us. Plus we wanted to make sure we didn't make any mistakes. The site and company is www.ResidencyHQ.com. We had a half hour consultation, they provided us with our state's Residency Requirement Checklist, and we were on our way. Worth checking out....just our 2 cents!
For those who want to be fulltime RVers, I would be willing to bet that between this forum and the Escapees forum, the CORRECT information is available for nothing. Of course, if you feel like spending money on a site aimed at those buying S&B, etc., go for it. BTW - I notice you didn't say what state the site recommended for you?
Old Biscuit, appreciate the checklist you provided. Gives me something to work with. Yeah, DL in AZ is good until you're 65 and every five years after (we're in our 40's and early 50's). Eye exam is required every twelve years in-between.
CPD and crcr: good points, and good to know. In the up-front costs, we have to figure a round-trip to SD from wherever we are, unless we can think of other good reasons to stay a while in SD (I'm sure there are lots).
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