Choosing a State to Call Home as a Full-Time RVer: Why We Chose Florida
As full-time RVers, one of the first big decisions you have to make is where to call home. Since we’re always on the move, our “home” isn’t necessarily tied to a specific location, but we still need an official state of residence for things like taxes, driver’s licenses, and voting. Many full-time RVers opt to establish their domicile in states that offer benefits and convenience for those on the road. Florida, Texas, and South Dakota are the most popular choices, and for good reason!
Why Florida, Texas, and South Dakota?
Each of these states has perks that make them attractive to RVers. Here’s a quick overview:
- Florida: Known for its warm weather, no state income tax, and affordable vehicle registration fees. It’s also a fantastic place for retirees and those looking to enjoy a variety of attractions.
- Texas: Another state with no income tax, Texas is known for its low vehicle registration costs and overall business-friendly atmosphere. It also has a number of RV-friendly laws and regulations.
- South Dakota: Offers some of the lowest registration fees in the country, as well as no state income tax. Plus, it’s home to the Escapees RV Club, which provides support for RVers seeking domicile.
For us, Florida stood out. Here’s why we made the decision to call it home.
Why We Chose Florida
We love the idea of living where it’s always warm, and Florida offers year-round sunshine, making it perfect for RVers who prefer to spend their winters in warmer climates. But there’s more to Florida than just the weather.
- No State Income Tax
This is a huge perk! Florida is one of the few states that doesn’t tax personal income, so it’s a big draw for those of us who want to keep more of our hard-earned money. As full-time RVers, we value this aspect of Florida’s tax laws.
- Affordable Vehicle Registration
Florida has reasonable fees for vehicle registration, and since we have our RV, it’s nice to know that we’re not getting hit with overly expensive renewals each year. Plus, Florida is RV-friendly and has plenty of RV parks and campgrounds for us to explore.
- Great Healthcare
Florida has excellent healthcare options, which is important as we age. Many RVers also find that Florida offers quality healthcare that’s affordable and accessible, no matter where you are in the state.
- Access to Major Theme Parks
One of the unexpected perks of choosing Florida is the opportunity to take advantage of resident passes to major theme parks like Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. As RVers who enjoy a good theme park adventure, being able to get these special resident passes makes our trips to Orlando more affordable and frequent. Whether it’s taking a break from the road or indulging in our love for these parks, Florida truly has it all!
Why Escapees?
While selecting Florida as our state of domicile offered all these perks, the next decision was choosing a reliable service for our mail forwarding and domicile setup. After much research, we decided to use Escapees RV Club. Escapees specializes in helping full-time RVers with everything related to domicile and mail forwarding, and we’ve been so glad we chose them.
Perks of Using Escapees for Your Mail and Domicile
- Mail Forwarding Services: Escapees provides a reliable mail forwarding service that helps us stay on top of our mail no matter where we are in the country. We get our mail scanned, sorted, and forwarded to the address of our choice.
- Domicile Assistance: Escapees is known for its thorough assistance with establishing your domicile in Florida (or Texas or South Dakota). They guide you through the process of getting a Florida address, registering your vehicle, and obtaining a Florida driver’s license, making it smooth and easy.
- Escapade Events: Escapees hosts RV rallies and events, like Escapade, where you can meet fellow RVers, learn from experts, and just have a great time. It’s a wonderful way to network and find like-minded folks in the RV community.
- Support Network: As members, we have access to a huge support network of fellow RVers. Whether we have questions about RV maintenance, how to handle a specific legal issue, or need recommendations for great places to camp, Escapees is there for us.
- Discounts and Benefits: Being part of Escapees also comes with discounts at RV parks, campgrounds, and other travel-related services. This helps us save money on our travels and makes our full-time RV lifestyle even more affordable.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a state to call home as a full-time RVer is an important decision, and Florida has been a perfect fit for us. The perks of no state income tax, affordable vehicle registration, and access to amazing attractions like Disney and Universal make it a dream for RVers. Combine that with Escapees’ incredible support, and it’s clear why we made this choice.
Wherever you decide to domicile, make sure you choose the state that offers the benefits that best suit your needs as an RVer. For us, Florida and Escapees have been the perfect partners in our journey, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Happy travels, and may your RV journey be filled with adventure and all the perks you deserve!
