prep for fulltime what to do

[mohawk]

For insurance , mail , taxes ,and any other reason I can't think of where would be the best place as home base to ragester my Bus/RV

[Ned]

Check the Fulltiming section of our library for several articles that address just those questions.

[LindaH]

The most popular states for fulltimers to select as their domicile are Florida, South Dakota, and Texas.  None has an income tax, each has reasonable vehicle registration fees, and each has several mail forwarding services.  Probably even more importantly, these states allow the use of a mail forwarding address as a legal address for establishing domicle.

However, there are differences among these 3 states, so which one is the best for YOU will require some research on your part to determine which will be best for your particular circumstances.

[John Canfield]

One possible point of contention I have with Jeff's most excellent digest of the relative merits of various states is the Texas vehicle registration cost as being low.  Our 32,000 pound Horizon is registered in Florida and I think our registration fees are about $80 per year.  Based on what others have told me about Texas fees, I think we would be in the 250-300$ range.

Not having to fool with a state annual inspection for our vehicles (especially the coach) is worth its weight in gold.  We lived in Texas for many years (years ago) and every time we ever took a vehicle for inspection, the headlights "needed" adjustments - yeah, right.

I'm as happy as a clam in sand by being a Florida resident living in Texas part of the year.

[Ned]

Texas registration is low compared to many states, but there are others lower, true.

In all our inspections over the past 13 years, the only repair we've ever had to make was to replace a windshield wiper blade on our Honda as ti was nearly torn in half.  Never anything to do to the motorhome.  And you only need the inspection when you return to Texas.  We would often be out of state for nearly 2 years and just skipped the interim inspection.

[LindaH]

Regarding the annual vehicle inspection in Texas: You do not have to return to Texas each year just to have your vehicle(s) inspected...as long as you are out of the state, you don't have to worry about an inspection.  You will need to have it done ASAP once you cross over into Texas, however.  They do give you a time limit, but I don't remember what it is (5 days? 10 days?).