Fulltiming - Part 4

Residency, Possessions, Vehicles, & Medical Care

Residency. Even fulltimers have to live somewhere. For the ultimate fulltiming experience, that means living everywhere. Your RV is your home and wherever you take it becomes your current residence. However, the laws of our land don't allow for the freedom of a completely nomadic existence. They require that everyone have a place they call home. Some fulltimers achieve this by establishing a home base in a state whose tax and residency requirements are to their liking. Others use the addresses of friends or relatives. Many establish a seasonal campground or resort location as their "home."

Either way, you will need to set up a residency for purposes of tax responsibility, vehicle licensing and inspection, voting, driver's licenses, bank accounts, health/medical insurance, and mail forwarding. Choose a state that best meets your needs financially. States differ dramatically in how they handle all of the above. Many guides have been compiled that detail the regulations of each state. They are worth checking out before any decisions are made.

Possessions. What to do with all your stuff? This is a question every potential fulltimer must answer before heading down the highway. The foremost concern will be what to do with your house. Many fulltimers sell their house and use all or part of the money to purchase their fulltiming rig. Others keep their home and establish it as a rental property, using the income to offset fulltiming expenses. Still others keep their houses to use as a home base, utilizing a friend or relative as a caretaker when they are away.

Personal possessions are another story. Here the best strategy may be to just get rid of them. In the case of items you haven't used in at least a year, we highly recommend clearing it out. Fortunately, there are many options for disposing of accumulated possessions. You can sell it, give it to friends or relatives, donate it to favorite charities, trash it, or put it in storage. Try to keep in check any sentimental value you place on unneeded objects. RV space is limited. You don't want to waste too much on unnecessary things.

Vehicles. All recreational vehicles, tow vehicles, and auxiliary vehicles require licensing, registration, and inspection. Choosing the right state for registering your vehicles can save you a lot of money. This will generally be your chosen state of residence, but you must also be careful to select a state to which you can easily travel when these various requirements are due. It will save a lot of hassle if you can coordinate the due dates for vehicle licensing, inspection, and driver's license renewals.

Medical. The need for medical treatment does not end when fulltimers are on the road. Health and medical insurance are always a concern for fulltimers who are too young to be eligible for Medicare coverage. They can become a major expense when purchased privately. Many fulltimers we've spoken to tell us they simply can't afford it and therefore take the chance that they will not encounter any serious medical emergency. We strongly recommend not taking that approach. Do not travel without medical insurance, and maintain a clear understanding of the extent of your coverage. Many HMOs do not offer extended area coverage.

Fulltimers should be comfortable using medical clinics, dental referrals, or doctors referred to them by their regular physicians. They should travel with copies of their medical records, dental x-rays, and prescriptions. They should wear medical ID bracelets, when appropriate. Prescriptions can be filled via mail order programs like those offered through AARP, or through Wal-Mart stores or major pharmacy chains.

Part 5 > Insurance, Money, Communications, & Campgrounds