Starting a Full-time adventure and need guidance

[HighwayJunky]

Starting a full-time adventure for who-knows how long. Need some guidance from you full timers. Not, IMPO but real guidance. How to handle drivers licenses, tags, other things we might be responsible for that we are overlooking.

Appreciate your thoughts

[wa8yxm]

In another place we had a saying "Your millage may vary"

Some states (I think Texas, Florida, Nevada and South Dakota) are friendly to full timers and will let you register to a post office box store.

Excapees. has such a store in Texas. And there are several companies in SD that let you register to their store.

All 4 states have advantages and disagvantages I won't go into them.

Most of the other states require you to register to a HOUSE. or residence facility (Apartment. Condo, Whatever)

I "live" with my Brother in Michigan. My license and registration carry his address. I vote in his elections. (AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE) if he gets any official mail he contacts me and I tell him where to send it.

I buy him the occasional dinner at one of his favorite eateries (gift card to Cheesecake Factory)

he's my Bionic Brother (Pacemaker and Automatic implanted defibrillator.. thankfully I'm not there yet)

[LadyRVer]

I am full-time (since 2004) and a FL resident. While I was traveling for all of last year, I used St. Brendan's Isle out of Green Cove Springs, FL for my mailing address, DL and other important things. They did a great job with mail forwarding. Costs were reasonable.

[Ivylog]

Since you are already a Fla resident (one of the 3 best states for FT) use your current address if possible or set up a mail forwarding service. Several in Greencove Springs, FL.

[2oldman]

Escapees, fulltime forum

[Executive45]

Residency

[Lwiddis]

"Guidance" are opinions.

[valhalla360]

As much as possible switch to automated online payments. I don't think we have any paper bills anymore.

If you will be stationary in one park for long enough to meet residency requirements, you can use that address (assuming they allow mail). A lot of snowbirds who return to the same winter park for several months each winter can meet this requirement.

If not, two primary options for an official mailing address:
- A trusted friend/family member let's you use their address.
- Use a mail forwarding service.

We've been doing it since 2007 and use my sister's address.

For government purposes, you remain a resident of the last jurisdiction you held residency but it can be a hassle. When we moved onto our boat, I went to update my drivers license shortly after. At the time we had a PO Box but the secretary of state said we couldn't live at the post office...we then proceeded thru about 10 min of circular logic before she suggested do we live with a relative...hint hint...A quick call to my sister to confirm she didn't mind and I had a new license.

Even though that is technically against the rules, a number of the mail forwarding services will help you sign up for residency (florida and south dakota are the two most popular). For the most part the states don't care because they get some taxes and fees plus you count toward the census which brings in federal dollars of which they use very little on you. Do make sure to look at tax implications if you choose a new state. Income tax and personal property tax can be a gotcha (hence the popularity of florida and south dakota).

Health insurance is another tricky one. Most health insurance is state specific. They cover short periods for vacation outside the state but they really expect you to be in the state for the most part. Also be up front with your car/RV insurance, you don't want to find out after the accident that you are not technically covered.

[jmtandem]

Starting a full-time adventure for who-knows how long. Need some guidance from you full timers. Not, IMPO but real guidance. How to handle drivers licenses, tags, other things we might be responsible for that we are overlooking.

Appreciate your thoughts

Go to the Escapees web pages, much of the information you are looking for is there.

[gbopp]

You may get a better response if you ask the mods to move your post to the Full-Time RVing forum.

But, that's just my personal opinion. 🙂
Enjoy your adventure.