Community Forums

JJReyes · 03-17-2014, 08:00 PM

My wife and I decided to spend our retirement years crisscrossing the United States and Canada in a Class B RV. Our research indicates that South Dakota is ideal as a tax friendly state with low cost RV insurance and reasonable excise tax for new vehicle registration and license.

Our Hawaii home is in escrow; the RV has been ordered; and with a little luck we should be hitting the road by May 2014. This is our first time for the United States and Canada. About 30 years when our two sons were still small, we took them on a round-the-world trip lasting a year. Seven months were spent in Europe on a leased Mercedes Benz "James Cook" by Westphalia, the same company who built and sold the Volkswagen camper.

We saved money to enjoy retirement as independent seniors. Our main concern is the prohibitive cost for assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care facilities. The US Department of Health & Human Services estimates 70% of Americans 65 years and older will need some form of care during their lifetime. Our solution for affordable eldercare services is to sell the RV and relocate overseas where prices are more reasonable. In the meantime, my wife and I can enjoy 5, 10, 15, 20 years of constant traveling.

aschuh53 · 03-17-2014, 08:06 PM

welcome back across the pond from NC Im thinking of moving back to Hawaii I miss the Islands so much Best of luck on your travel plans

**JohnRR** · 03-17-2014, 08:31 PM

Good luck with which ever way you choose to go.

JJReyes · 03-17-2014, 09:48 PM

Maybe we are suffering from rock fever. There are no opportunities for long drives. My wife and I love the Hawaiian Islands, but we are a bit tired of the 40% Paradise Tax.

Medico · 03-18-2014, 03:32 AM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

Chiefbvfd · 03-18-2014, 05:59 AM

Welcome to the forum and Happy trails....

MSHappyCampers · 03-18-2014, 07:49 AM

Hi folks! Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join the gang!

Sounds like you've got it figured out! Hope all works out good for you!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

OC Bill · 03-18-2014, 10:45 AM

We fled from CA to escape the taxes and political craziness that abounds there.

We engaged Americas Mailbox in Rapid City SD, to handle all our vehicle registrations and mailbox services.

They even have an RV park adjacent to their business where you can spend your required 1 night stay to qualify as a SD resident.

We were able to get our SD drivers license and register our MH and several cars in less than two hours.

They provide great service in both handling your mail and assisting with registrations. Their address is actually in Box Elder, a suburb of Rapid City.

Bill

Hudgens · 03-18-2014, 07:58 PM

Welcome. Sounds like you have a plan...now....time to enjoy it.

Petes Dad · 03-18-2014, 08:22 PM

Welcome to the forum!

tedgard01 · 03-18-2014, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJReyes

..... Our main concern is the prohibitive cost for assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care facilities. The US Department of Health & Human Services estimates 70% of Americans 65 years and older will need some form of care during their lifetime. Our solution for affordable eldercare services is to sell the RV and relocate overseas where prices are more reasonable.....

Apparently you did not purchase some LTC insurance that was portable for your retirement years. You may want to lessen, or even remove this concern, by getting a hybrid life insurance policy. They are designed to provide triple the benefit for LTC over the life benefit. Simply talk to a good CFP regarding your options.

**TonyDi** · 03-18-2014, 09:07 PM

Glad you're with us.

JJReyes · 03-19-2014, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC Bill

We fled from CA to escape the taxes and political craziness that abounds there.

We engaged Americas Mailbox in Rapid City SD, to handle all our vehicle registrations and mailbox services.

They even have an RV park adjacent to their business where you can spend your required 1 night stay to qualify as a SD resident.

We were able to get our SD drivers license and register our MH and several cars in less than two hours.

They provide great service in both handling your mail and assisting with registrations. Their address is actually in Box Elder, a suburb of Rapid City.

Bill

We ordered our RV from a California dealership. When it is time to accept delivery, after the walk-through and instructions, a driver will take us to Nevada for the final paperwork and to hand us the keys. These will make the sale "out-of-state" to "out-of-state" residents. California is the most aggressive when it comes to collecting taxes.

Bill, we will be neighbors. I also selected Americas Mailbox because the location is next to a major highway and they have a small RV campground. The truth is my wife and I have never been to South Dakota.

It's been fun because friends ask, "What's so great about South Dakota compared to Hawaii?"

Our response, "Don't know. We have never been there."

JMonroe · 03-19-2014, 09:29 AM

One big happy family - we're "residents" of Box Elder as well. There is also a convenient Pilot station almost next door to America's Mailbox.

And for what it's worth, we've been to the Black Hills many times, and will visit again this coming fall. Plan on spending some time when you get there, and not just on the well known tourist stops, like Rushmore (which you do need to visit, at least once).