Residency when full timing: Florida vs Texas

[Retired_Sailor]

My wife and I will begin our FT chapter in a couple months. Since we are currently residents of a state with income tax we're looking to be come residents of one that doesn't. We have it narrowed down to Texas, Florida and possibly Nevada.

Can anybody out there provide some comparisons in regards to driver's licenses (special RV license?) and costs of registering our coach. We have a 37' Class A Gas Coachmen Aurora. Also interested in mail forwarding services.

We've heard great things about Escapees in Livingston, TX so Texas is high on our list but am interested in hearing any and all suggestions and stories.

Thanks

[DianneOK]

We had SD for 9 years. At the time TX would NOT insure our FL60....so it was off the list immediately.

[Scottiemom]

Southern Nights wrote:
If I am reading the S.D. web site correctly, it appears you have a one time tax on your trailer and truck or M/ H when you first register them. The following years are inexpensive though.

Those of you who have used S.D., is that correct?

Yes, when you register your vehicle, new or used, you will pay a 3% excise tax. (not a sales tax). You pay it once when you register the vehicle the first time. After that. . . only tags and they are much cheaper than when we lived in Indiana.

There is a 7% sales tax on other things in the state.

We are SD and have all our insurances, financial, wills, etc., set up there. Very RV friendly. It works well for us.

Dale

[Bumpyroad]

2gypsies wrote:
"It is a pita to have to drive all the way back to texas if you don't otherwise need to."

This has been mentioned many, many times...you DON'T have to drive to Texas to have an inspection done. It's ONLY necessary to have one done if you're actually IN Texas anyway. If you never plan on going to Texas you don't have to have the inspection done.

but if you don't get an inspection, and happen to be driving thru Texas you are in violation.
bumpy

[2gypsies1]

"It is a pita to have to drive all the way back to texas if you don't otherwise need to."

This has been mentioned many, many times...you DON'T have to drive to Texas to have an inspection done. It's ONLY necessary to have one done if you're actually IN Texas anyway. If you never plan on going to Texas you don't have to have the inspection done.

[cabanaman]

BarbaraOK wrote:

Queens Carriage wrote:
We moved from TX to FL.
TX
Car inspection every year. This is a PIA.
No State income tax.
One time fee for car plates



Fl
No State income tax
No car inspection
0ne time fee of aprox.$450 for car plates

The one thing to consider the state you pick is the state you get the resident discounts. One big one is State parks.

The car inspection (and/or coach) is not a PITA. It is a 15 minute stop unless you need lights/horn/brakes, etc. fixed - which you should have done before you go in to have the inspection. If you can't pass a state safety inspection on the car, should you be driving it?

The one time fee to transfer title is $90 in Texas- - sure less than $450. And in Texas anyone can purchase the annual pass to the state parks.

Barb

You are not mentioning how much you have to pay for the inspection.
It is a pita to have to drive all the way back to texas if you don't otherwise need to.

[kc1240]

Don't fall for that Texas hype, it is one expensive state. S.D. or Fla. are your best choices.

[Old-Biscuit]

MeanderMan wrote:
So much of your decision is dependent on your type of RV and future plans. We have a motorhome, and the insurance cost was double in Texas over SD. TX requires a special license for MHs over 26K lbs, SD does not. If you ever plan to trade or buy a new RV, Texas sales tax is 7%+ depending on county, SD is a flat 3%. I've been an Escapees member for a long time, and we've spent a lot of time wintering in Texas, but SD is a much better option for most MH owners.

Not just MH's

The insurance would double on our truck and be 50% higher on 5'vr if we used TX vs SD as our 'domicile'.

[Cummins12V98]

R12RTee wrote:

Kirk wrote:
The Good Sam folks have recognized Texas as the RV state of the year at least three times now, more than any other state. Must be some reason? The Escapees RV club chose Texas also,probably for a reason too?

I'm guessing the reason is money. Texas is a place where The Escapees RV "Business" makes their money.

Bingooooooo!

Probably a great place to stay when full timing but the insurance there will kill you.

South Dakota. You get a street address from what I have been told.

I still have qa home in WA so everything is registered there. No income tax, tabs are $175 for RV and truck together and insurance is very reasonable.

If I sell the house, South Dakots here I come!

[R12RTee]

Kirk wrote:
The Good Sam folks have recognized Texas as the RV state of the year at least three times now, more than any other state. Must be some reason? The Escapees RV club chose Texas also,probably for a reason too?

I'm guessing the reason is money. Texas is a place where The Escapees RV "Business" makes their money.

[Bumpyroad]

Kirk wrote:
The Good Sam folks have recognized Texas as the RV state of the year at least three times now, more than any other state. Must be some reason? The Escapees RV club chose Texas also,probably for a reason too?

so we are to ignore all of the 'facts" about taxes, etc. and blindly accept Texas because of the GS folks?
bumpy

[Cummins12V98]

Most full timers I see on the west coast have SD plates.

[MeanderMan]

So much of your decision is dependent on your type of RV and future plans. We have a motorhome, and the insurance cost was double in Texas over SD. TX requires a special license for MHs over 26K lbs, SD does not. If you ever plan to trade or buy a new RV, Texas sales tax is 7%+ depending on county, SD is a flat 3%. I've been an Escapees member for a long time, and we've spent a lot of time wintering in Texas, but SD is a much better option for most MH owners.

[Kirk]

The Good Sam folks have recognized Texas as the RV state of the year at least three times now, more than any other state. Must be some reason? The Escapees RV club chose Texas also,probably for a reason too?

[TripleE]

Navy Chief - We are retired military also. We "moved" from CA to South Dakota 6 years ago. We use My Dakota Address for our mail service. Haven't had any problems with them in this time. They also give a military discount. Check out their website.

Since you purchased your rig in CA (or at least registered it there) you will not have to pay any additional in SD. We register our RV and car for less than my car alone used to cost in CA.

One advantage is that you will remain in the same Tricare region in SD as you are in CA. No transfer.

Insurance was a bit cheaper but not a lot. No income tax, no vehicle inspection, no special license required. You only have to return to SD once every 5 years to renew your license. Oh, and you don't need an appointment to go into the DMV! It takes less than 15 minutes.

Neither of us has been called for jury duty in all this time. (Knock on wood).

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.

Treasa

[Bumpyroad]

Navy Chief wrote:
Thanks all. We had sort of written off SD but may take another look at it. Are there any recommended books, magazines, etc that may help advise a couple of FT rookies?

what was the downside of SD? Nobody who uses it seems to have a problem. visit once, see Wall Drug if you must, and that ends it. 🙂
bumpy