Leaving Illinois, going full time.

[Moving-on]

Hello all, new member here. My wife and I have had an interesting year. Its a long story, but the point is after being burglarized and loosing alot of possessions we decided there was no time like now to just finish what the thieves started, finish selling things, and hit the road. We already had a flagstaff 8528ikws 5th wheel, which we spent 2 months in instead of going home. That ended Christmas morning on the second day of 8 degrees. Our fresh water line from the tank to the pump finally froze up, forcing us to go back home. While there was some discomfort, it was nice to go that cold while not on the road. We learned a lot about what the rig can take. We have family in TX, and soon Wyoming. Both are rural with water/power/sewer. And friends in illinois with the same. I'm winding down on selling whats left, and the house will go next. Then we plan to travel between the family locations, and sight see in between. We'll have a bit of a cusion after the sale of our "dream home", and plan to work, as is needed and convenient along the way. We can stay "free" at either location for as long as needed to recoup. I'm up for advice, well wishes, and somebody looking for a beautiful house in rural illinois. I have future plans for solar (I'm an electrician), and a mini split. But think I'm going to leave well enough alone for now. With maybe just a battery upgrade and a decent inverter. Fire away..

[wanderingaimles]

Since the decision to go, is already made, next considerations,,,,,
Domicile, ??Change your licenses and registrations to a state that wont tax and fee you to death. Texas is popular, no state income tax, South Dakota or Florida as well.
Mail, shift as much as possible to online banking, and then either use a family member, or a service such as Escapees or Dakota Post. Both will . receive and hold your mail, as well as offering other services.
Insurances
Both Health, and your rig, as a general comment, IF you are not old enough for mediscare, Florida seems to get the most positive comments for its coverage options, otherwise research all locations and select based on your needs.
South Dakota does have one odd positive, no annual inspection on your truck emmissions or otherwise, Texas will allow you 30 days after returning to the state before its required.
Other folks will have more to offer, but hopefully this gives you a little food for thought.

[Moving-on]

I'm off sick, so I've been burning up the net looking for answers, and things we may need. I'm going to put on a new set of tires before we go, probably maxxis 8008s. We already have a macerater pump, which is a godsend. I was going to add a few li batteries and some solar. But for now I think a new deep cycle and my small psw inverter will get us started. Looking for deal on a new companion generator since mine was stolen. That will get me back to a pair of eu2ks. Just have to get down to st Louis for my "new" to me truck, quit my job and sell my house. Excited and scared to death..

[Moving-on]

Both tx and wy have nice low taxes. But both are on the temp extremes, depending on time of year. But I've never been west of San Antonio, so there's still so much to see. Perhaps I can find a niche,or another change of career along the way.

[Timmo_]

Methinks over the next year or two, you will have many people doing the same. Pulling up stakes and seeking greener pastures.

Just select a state of residence that pleases you (low income tax, affordable insurance, etc).

[Moving-on]

Thats the plan. But I'm not so proud not to listen, or so arrogant to ignore others experience. The trouble comes in that we are all so different, with different skills and talents. I've been up and down the mechanical/ maintenance field. From semi truck mechanic, to industrial electrician and just about everything in between. I grew up on a farm, and can remember pulling a goose neck for the first time for my dad and brother picking up bales when I was 10 years old. I figure that we have as good of a chance for making it work as any. In my job I can't telecommute, but might be able to find some things to do along the way. Especially since we plan to stay semi long term just about everywhere we go. I really don't know, but I've thought it out as best I can, and a faint heart never won any flowers.

[Tyler0215]

Get out there and you will learn as you go.

[Moving-on]

We will be leaving with enough money to be comfortable without working for quite awhile. We plan to learn as we go, and hope to learn enough before we spend too much.. I have a few contingencies if things go south. We won't be a burden on any of the people we have in mind, and were invited to stay long term at both. They have utilities close enough that they won't be a bother to modify as needed. Which was also discussed and offered. I don't have any specific questions yet, I just thought I'd start a thread about our adventure and hoped it would lead to some constructive discussion.

[time2roll]

Going to be a wonderful adventure :B Enjoy every moment.

[Bill_Satellite]

So, what kind of information, advice are you looking for? You can stay "free" (not free to those whose utilities you plan to use) but are there hookups available to allow you to be comfortable and not impose on others? Do you have a source of income or are you independently wealthy? Finding work "along the way" is impracticable but you might be able to plan ahead and find work camper "work for free site" type work but that also needs serious planning as every work camper wants to be in the warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer.
Tell us a bit more about how you plan to finance your travels and where, what, when and others might be able to give you some seriously good advice. You are also going to get some seriously sketchy advice and comments. You will need to filter the wheat form the chaff and not let anyone get under your skin. Some really hope to help and some are really jealous that you are doing what they cannot. Just come back to those of us who have been full time for many many years (24 years for us) and we will do the best we can.

[BarbaraOK]

We retired in 2006 and have been chasing the 75° mark.

Are you going to 'live' with one of your relatives, as in that's the place where you will get your mail, register your vehicles, get your drivers license, vote, etc. If so - I would suggest Texas as that state is RV friendly. I'd actually suggest using Escapees in Livingston, TX as your domicile, but since you have family in Texas where you plan to spend time, that might be a better fit for you.

Also think about your medical care - where do you want that to be based. It might not be a necessity now - but it will be. Growing old isn't easy. I would suggest establishing your primary care relationship where ever you decide to spend at least 1 month or more each year. We originally retired out of Tyler, Tx and kept our physician there. But in 2015, we changed to the Phoenix area for ongoing care as we started spending more of the winter here and they have great medical care in the valley. Of course, since we are on Medicare, that became very easy to do.

Don't wait to decide where you are going to "live", start the discussions now, and with your family, so that it is all set before you leave your house. We put in our change of address about 3 months before we went full timing so that we could be sure all of our mail would be forwarded. And move all financial, etc. away from paper and to digital that can be managed from your computer.

[Moving-on]

And I have excellent insurance.

[Moving-on]

Folks. Please, I didn't come here to talk about what I could have done differently. I came to talk about full time rv living.
But to humor you, were I live is so rural, there are no land line phones, only sketchy cell service. And the local pd is 4-5 guys spread over 3-4 shifts based 30 miles away from my house. There are things that I could have done, but they would have been far above and beyond the local norm. And that's about all I have ever to say about that.

[MarkTwain]

gbopp wrote:
You're selling your house and going full time because of being burglarized and losing a lot of possessions?
But, you want someone to buy your house?
That's not a very good sales pitch. 🙂

Have fun and enjoy your travels.

Have you considered a good home security system that is connected to your local police dept. and a comprehensive home insurance policy?

[Moving-on]

That is the idea. I've spent my life working out in the hot and cold. I'm ready to get away from that for awhile. Summers in Wyoming, winters in Texas. And I want to see the southwest,and a few other places. Somewhere along the way I hope to find a semi permanent home.

[JimK-NY]

I would visit those relatives in the warmer months of the year and spend winters in areas that are a lot warmer in the Winter. You have an Rv, travel, and enjoy it.