I was curious of where this was gonna head..
So many styles and variety of people...
I am not sure if you mentioned how long you plan on this lifestyle, you said you always wanted to..so... Things do change .
IMO you budget is low to have your cake and eat it too... I have ponders for many years, tents, tags, one class A, short lived experiment,I am on a second class C,
All have been a fixer up of sorts or ended up being made into what I wanted.
1. I am a jack of all trades and very handy.
2. I found cheap deals or a good bang for the dollar..
3. Even what seemed to be best deal, low miles or Clean unit always came with a gremlin or a visit from murphy..
4. this forum is loaded with stories of the best, the good, the bad, and the ugly....the opinions and adventures from many walks of life...
A small Class A, has nice room. if compare a Class A 30ft to a Class C 30ft, the A is just roomier and normally has better home look stuff than a RV look.. IMO
Slides are nice but a maintenance item, if not now alter if l older rig, any rv..
they do add room..
We can argue with the masses over fuel MPG, pusher or gas, IMO a 6mpg gasser vs a 9mpg Diesel cost about the same aftr fuel difference and
PM maintence over a couple year, both can do 100k plus.. and the DP 300k but why buy a 300k.. newer but out of budget units can get 12+ to more I hear..
A 5th or tag is a double edge, it can work but a good reliable tow vehicle is not cheap and fuel mpg is back in play..for what you get.
Class A or C towing a small car is nice IMO or a small trailer with a dual purpose motorcycle or scooter on back.. LOL
We can list all the stuff you desire, boondocking and remote, a good solar and batteries expect 7500-10k for a system that will let you do almost all but AC..
a good onboard genny and a small genny IMO for just emergence charging..
Storage , most class A have great under storage.. Some Class c also.
Stuff like solar as mentioned with 300-400 AH Litium for dry/boondocking is so sweet. You mention Arizona, then AC on a genny may be nice if you are inside working.. Hotwater system for one person is normally ok in most.. larger shower or neo angle is cool.. If you are tall, make sure you have room.. Class water and grey/black is generally more than some Class C.. if needed..
Tranfsfer swtiches, voltage moniters, inverters, proper charges, make sure you have supported for your use and professional installed or updated.
Save the tinker for inside reno like floors or painting, upholstery or lighting updates.. this stuff is fun and personal effects are easy to add.
Oh if you may do colder weather stuff, then research the stuff needed...
I am sitting in my older Miniie Class C, 30ft.. rear queen bed.. low miles, gasser, 7-8 mpg, for the year well done with heated bays, engine heat to the rear, engine heat for hot watr.. good under storage . Entertainment up front over cab .. has a lousy black water tank, clogs alot.. hint when searching..
Older fridge but that can be fixed when dead..
I have added the modern electrics becasue i know how, inverter update , 300AH batteries, charger update, auto transfer, low volt genny start etc etc.. NO SOLAR yet, i cheap.. I carry a quiet 2200 watt genny in addition to the onan onboard.
My point here is this unit I could stay in 24/7 if i wanted to.. but with my wife and 2 siberian huskies, it is cramped to a point.. I would have removed the jackknife sofa for a recliner and ditch the dinetet layout for a second recliner and flip up table but the dogs are the control LOL, they like to travel on the sofa.. No slides and it is still ok..
any way give things deep though, many Class A 30-34 foot that are low miles and not used after a while . but a nice Class C can provide room.. either can tow,.. ENJOY..