You’d think that every state has the potential for good RV living, but that’s not always the case. In fact, I’d say that there are a few states where it can be a major headache. At the opposite end, there are also some states that make the process remarkably easy. Admittedly, going full time into an RV isn’t ever easy, no matter what way you slice it, but here are a few things to think about when picking what state you want to officially live as a full-time RVer.
Setting Up Residency
Even if you’re already set up as a resident in one state, there can be a lot you have to do, depending on the state, to maintain your residency there. Certain states that are notoriously inconvenient are California and New York. We personally set up our residency in South Dakota, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice (click here to check out how we did that). Practically everyone throughout the process was patient, considerate, and best of all, efficient. Other states to consider, thanks to their convenience and for their favorable taxes are: Texas, Florida, Nevada, and Wyoming.
Costs of Things in Your State
In addition, you might want to also consider how expensive things like groceries and gas are in your state of choosing. The most expensive states when it comes to these commodities would be California, New York, and Washington. On the other end of the spectrum, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma are ranked as some of the cheapest, and therefore some of the best states to live in, especially if you work remotely. Rankings can, and of course will, shift over periods months and especially years, but as of right now one thing is certain, a gallon of gas and carton of eggs costs much less in Kansas than it does in California ($4.75 versus $8 at the time of writing this).
What Environment Do You Want To Be In?
As a full-time RVer, you’ll probably want to explore nature quite a bit, and if that’s the case, you should definitely consider the climate of where you’re going to live. Many people will debate whether they want to live somewhere hot or cold, but there’s a little more that you should consider. For instance, do you prefer hot, sunny beaches, or dry, expansive desert? If the former is more suited for you, then Florida or California would likely be good choices. If an arid climate is more for you, that would probably mean that something in the southwest would be better (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas). Similarly, Florida can also be good for those who enjoy the wild jungle, although you can also consider Puerto Rico, and states like Mississippi and Louisiana too. For those of you that just can’t do without some great, beautiful, imposing mountains outside your window, the North Western side of the U.S. is where you belong (anywhere from Washington, to Colorado, to every state in between.) The best state in terms of environment is extremely subjective, so in this instance you just have to follow your heart.
Choosing your state of residency can feel like a lot of pressure, however the nicest thing is that, living on a set of wheels, you can pick up and move much easier than most people can, so don’t feel like you have to pick one place that has to be your home state forever. Explore around. Find a place that fits your budget, your convenience, and your family’s values.
