Short RV's have very limited sleeping and storage. You can quickly tire of bags and boxes of "stuff" in the shower, on the floor, and in the overhead bunk. Climbing up and down a ladder to the overhead bed hurts your feet. Sleeping two in the overhead has problems, one climbing over the other in the dark. You need about a 27 foot rig to have a rear bedroom with an RV queen size bed and decent rear storage/cabinet space. Newbies often buy a too short rig out of fear of driving a "huge" RV. Driving a 27 foot RV is not a lot different than a 22-24 footer. Spend some time in various floor plans/lengths to assure yourself that you are making the right choice. Don't buy on impulse, get all salesman promises in writing on the sales contract/purchase order, don't buy an extended warranty package, save money in a bank account. See what you can get in a used 3 year old rig, make sure everything's working, no fixes needed.
You and I do not live far apart. And this is truck country. So parking ect is really not a problem. I found years ago when pulling Airstream trailers. Frontal area is what cost to get thu the air. Weight cost on long hills but not much more. So cost of run a bit larger or smaller rig is not much different. Using it and parking it depends on what you feel you need. Get what you like. You are the only one you need to please. We use ours for day trips shopping and fishing, hunting ect for us a 30+ foot would be a PIA. For you it may work great.
Snowdance
We spent most of our money traveling... Just wasted the rest..
stevekk wrote: thanks ... all good advice.
exactly what I am thinking, the shorter RV will be easier for me to drive.
Plus I was hoping for the shorter, the lighter, and thus... better MPG.
I was even looking at the class B's hoping for better gas mileage.
Sure is confusing and apprec. everyones comments.
Also, I see a good buy on a 31 foot class C I really like.
Do you think 31 foot is too long for a first time RVer like me?
I don't think being a First Timer has anything to do with it. Take it for a test drive. Part of the drive should be to 'go shopping', with it. Get it out on the road to see what it's like at highway speeds, then bring it back in to down and go the Grocery Store. See what/where you are comfortable driving and parking.
For me When, I buy another one I'm going to try to keep it down to a size that has a shorter rear overhang. The long OH makes it want to scrap on the dips and 'swing out' on the corners. Those are the two things that I'm not liking about my 29' 'c'... Maybe a 26', with a big rear storage compartment? Hmmmm
I won't trade JUST for the privilege of making them better, but I Will pay attention next time..... unless I forget! I do like the extra storage that the longer ones have, however.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT
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I do like the extra storage that the longer ones have, however. 
