Home State Decision

[MileHiGypsies]

Hi all. We would love some advice and knowledge.

We will FINALLY be ordering our 36RL in August (yay!!). Like so many others, we have been researching all areas of fulltiming, including where to register ourselves as our "home state". And, like many others, we have decided it will definately be either South Dakota or Texas. Unfortunately, I think we have researched ourselves brain dead, and everything has now become confusing and run together.

We would love to hear from all others who have chosen one of these 2 states as their home state.
Our questions would be this...
A) what are the pros and cons of each state?
B) Why did you choose the state you did?
C) What exactly do you have to do to makeit happen?
D) do you have to register both the truck AND rv, or just one over the other?

So sorry to ask questions that are probably easy for many of you to understand...but, as I said...we've researched ourselves into silliness.

Thank you so much in advance for all your help and guidance!!

Mike and Michelle

[Enroute]

I cant answer the pro's/con's to TX vs SD as I went with SD as I am originally from there and will ultimately end up back there when the full timing adventure is over. . I did not compare the two.

Look at Alternative Resources' website out of Sioux Falls.




Edited by: Enroute

[Adamsvr]

We're in the process of registering in South Dakota using Americas Mailbox. They handle everything from becoming a resident, to forwarding your mail, to registering your vehicles, your license, tags, to voter registration. Like Texas, all you have to do is spend one night and fill out the forms. Cost is $159.00 plus postage. Best part is no personal property tax or State taxes. Stretches retirement income alot.

[MileHiGypsies]

Thank you for the replies and advice. We will look into those 2 sites ya'll mentioned. So much to research, and it seems never ending. But, its gonna be SO worth it soon! Thank you again.
~Mike & Michelle~

[hoosierguy]

Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls, SD is a service that I have seen highly recommended by several folks here and on other forums.



The question that I have is, do you basically have to become a fulltime roaming citizen with only the connection in South Dakota to quailify for changing your state of residence? Can I legally become a South Dakota resident if I still own a house in another state?

[KR2011]

Guy that is a very good question, I would think that it doesn't matter I have other friends who are residents o SD and own homes in other states but they usually lease them out.

[Adamsvr]

I believe you need to be carefull... I'm not a lawyer, but some States can be very persnickerey about having property and not paying their taxes. We're in the process of selling our residence so the State we lived in cannot come back on us.

[Enroute]

Originally Posted by Adamsvr

I believe you need to be carefull... I'm not a lawyer, but some States can be very persnickerey about having property and not paying their taxes. We're in the process of selling our residence so the State we lived in cannot come back on us.

I've heard the same thing. I sold my house in another state and now full time. In doing so, I registered in SD as I no longer own property anywhere in the country.

[mhs4771]

I think it can be done, but you will still be required to pay any local/county/or school taxes on said property.

[John8545]

We went with South Dakota mailing service in Madison, very happy with service with Ms. Terri Lund taking care of all of our mailing, registrations needs. Glad we did, wish we did the move earlier.

[Rooksfive]

YEA John8545 we went with Terri also. Very very easy process and she is wonderful to work with. I could not believe how easy it was to get our drivers license.

[Cyberdave]

We went the Escapees route because the domicile rule has been tested there. Having a PMB as your domicile is legal in Texas.

Escapees has been good to us over the last 3 years and 2 1/2 years of full timing.

[Adamsvr]

We just became residents of South Dakota... used Americas Mailbox for mail forwarding. Couldn't have been easier. One night at a CG in SD, 15 minutes to get your drivers license, 30 minutes at the Court House to get your license plates for both the TV and the Redwood. Best part, no more State taxes or Property taxes - will stretch retirement savings. Only requirement is that you have to come back to SD once every five years. Couldn't be happier!

[John8545]

Nice..., always great to save some money!

[warway]

Why do you have to go back S.D. every 5 years?

[John8545]

Only to renew drivers licence!.

[DoddsCP]

Did you have to take any test (written or driving) in order to get your S.D. driver license?

[Rooksfive]

Just an eye test. It is super simple. Spend the night at a CG or motel. The receipt has to have both names and South Dakota address on it. Take current license and $20 each to DMV fill out a form and get new license. We did not even go to the county that we have our mail box. We went to the closest city with a DMV open on Friday.

[Rooksfive]

if you decide to go with South Dakota and would like to use Terri Lund in Madison she is very helpful in getting the whole process explained. We just emailed her today and requested out mail sent to us. We will get it Saturday or Monday.

[sinder]

Can you own a part time home in another state and be registered as a South Dakota resident?