Resident State

[Sir Henry]

I’m wondering what state I should become a resident in. Maybe just stick with Washington? My plans aren’t written in stone and I may change them. Currently I’m thinking of full-time RVing for the fall/winter and may continue to do so for three years.

Seems I have a choice of sales tax or income tax. If I become a resident of a state with income tax but spend time (and money) in a state with sales tax I’m paying double.

Maybe I should join an RV forum.

[cooperhawk]

Maybe I should join an RV forum.

https://www.irv2.com/forums

Ask any question and you will get a lot of answers.

Most seem to like Montana for the purchase and South Dakota for residence, but I could be wrong.

[Cofisher]

Wyoming has no income tax

[Hatchdog]

Do you need to be a Washington resident to use the State Parks at no charge?

[Oldbrass]

I think you have a great adventure ahead and yes join an RV forum..

[cooperhawk]

If you buy an older one like ours you'll need a Garmin. I have one that has the big screen and you can do
voice commands, answer the phone with Blue Tooth, and plan trips in advance. They make several models
for RVs. Don't get the truck ones unless you want to do log books.

[BrokenolMarine]

I think I would register in the state you feel most likely to settle in. Transferring everything has gotten much more difficult, and more expensive in many states.
Oklahoma had lots of hoops to jump thru.

Just my ten cents.

[fortyshooter]

Move to Tenn. No state income tax and plenty of places to find a home in the Smokie Mountain area! If I was moving that's where I would go.

[markiver54]

Forty is making sense.

[Sir Henry]

Do you need to be a Washington resident to use the State Parks at no charge?

Yes and no. I needed to be a resident when I received it and had to prove I was a resident. It’s a grey area if I move out of state. They don’t like it but the law is unclear so they let it slide.

[Sir Henry]

Move to Tenn. No state income tax and plenty of places to find a home in the Smokie Mountain area! If I was moving that's where I would go.

I’ll look at TN while I’m camping.

[dave77]

Do the any state parks have power/water/sewer hookups? I would think you would need more than battery power to run AC and long term propane heating would would run your tanks down fairly quickly.

[Sir Henry]

Do the any state parks have power/water/sewer hookups? I would think you would need more than battery power to run AC and long term propane heating would would run your tanks down fairly quickly.

Yes they all have electrical service. Most are 50 amps. Sometimes they turn the water off in the winter. All parks have sewer dumps and some have campsite sewer hookups.

[BrokenolMarine]

You have to decide what state you want to declare, and then you'll get your tags, pay the taxes, and of course when the time comes, get your driver's license.

The latter is no easy thing these days. Miss Tina had to petition the Courts in VA for a Certified True ORIGINAL of her birth certificate to get the Oklahoma DL. THAT took six months due to covid, only one person was working in that department and the first time they sent it, it was lost in the mail and never found. (Yes, she still worries about that now and then.) Back when she was born, the Records Department was issuing a Credit Card as a Certificate of Birth. It had never been a problem, even the military (Both Air Force and the Marine Corps) accepted it as original, to issue her dependent ID card.

Registering your vehicle(s) in some states can rack up some costs. Here in OK I get a decent discount on plates, and I am tax exempt... BUT, the initial registration is NOT cheap. You pay a fee for new titles, for every tire on the vehicle (including spares) for someone to walk out and verify the vin #, and for registration. I think the total was $300 for the two trucks. OK doesn't require registration or tags for Trailers. We have three, kayak, flatbed for the tractor, and stock/horse.

If you buy a house later, you'll likely have to register the vehicles in that state within a given period. (30 days?)
You'll also have to transfer your license to that state within a given period. Most states are waiving those within reason due to covid.
I would do some research on line and see what your options are in the states you are looking HARD at.

Just something to think about.

Good luck.

[GeoBoy]

Gene, I use good Sam forum, for RV information.

[Sir Henry]

Gene, I use good Sam forum, for RV information.

I’ll check it out later. Right now I’m busy loading the RV. Even though I’ve closed I can stay in the house till the 15th. Maybe a few more days if I really need it. The new owners will be here in an hour and we are going to open a bottle of wine and give a toast.

The new owner is my banker. I’ve known her professionally for about 30 years.

[markiver54]

Gene, I use good Sam forum, for RV information.

I’ll check it out later. Right now I’m busy loading the RV. Even though I’ve closed I can stay in the house till the 15th. Maybe a few more days if I really need it. The new owners will be here in an hour and we are going to open a bottle of wine and give a toast.

The new owner is my banker. I’ve known her professionally for about 30 years.

Sounds great...I think, Hope all goes well Gene. Wishing you the best!

[John E Davies]

Do the any state parks have power/water/sewer hookups? I would think you would need more than battery power to run AC and long term propane heating would would run your tanks down fairly quickly.

Yes they all have electrical service. Most are 50 amps. Sometimes they turn the water off in the winter. All parks have sewer dumps and some have campsite sewer hookups.

This is incorrect about power, there are some parks with RV camping and nothing but a few scattered water spigots and a central sewer dump station. Others that have partial hookups also have primitive spots, and overflow parking, that you may have to use if the others are occupied. You are much more likely to find state parks in the East with full hookups, because many of those are operated as resorts or destination campgrounds by a private commercial company. They charge more and they also make a ton of money operating zip lines, boat tours, bike rentals and other tourist stuff. Here in WA they are all state run, and many are in poor condition, and VERY expensive for most campers. I avoid them entirely. Some full hookup sites are $50 in the warm season, plus an $8 reservation fee. That is insane IMHO.

OTH Idaho just DOUBLED its rates for non residents in the more popular state parks, so now you would pay $64 there for a full hookup site. https://www.travelawaits.com/2670011/i ... es-rising/

John Davies
Spokane WA

[cooperhawk]

We've only used state parks a couple of times. They were OK but usually had to get there early or they would be full.
Most would not take reservations. We prefer private CGs as they are usually better run, take reservations, and have more
amenities. Just go to rvparky.com and you will find tons of CGs.

[Sir Henry]

Do the any state parks have power/water/sewer hookups? I would think you would need more than battery power to run AC and long term propane heating would would run your tanks down fairly quickly.

Yes they all have electrical service. Most are 50 amps. Sometimes they turn the water off in the winter. All parks have sewer dumps and some have campsite sewer hookups.

This is incorrect about power, there are some parks with RV camping and nothing but a few scattered water spigots and a central sewer dump station. Others that have partial hookups also have primitive spots, and overflow parking, that you may have to use if the others are occupied. You are much more likely to find state parks in the East with full hookups, because many of those are operated as resorts or destination campgrounds by a private commercial company. They charge more and they also make a ton of money operating zip lines, boat tours, bike rentals and other tourist stuff. Here in WA they are all state run, and many are in poor condition, and VERY expensive for most campers. I avoid them entirely. Some full hookup sites are $50 in the warm season, plus an $8 reservation fee. That is insane IMHO.

OTH Idaho just DOUBLED its rates for non residents in the more popular state parks, so now you would pay $64 there for a full hookup site. https://www.travelawaits.com/2670011/i ... es-rising/

John Davies
Spokane WA

All the sites I have reservations at have the utilities I mentioned. There are a lot of the primitive parks like you mentioned but I will not be camping there. Some parks like Fort Worden are small cities in them selves. They have a restaurant, store, latte stand and even a tavern.