Looking for a legal residential address in Arizona

[Gideon33w]

On the last van here in AZ my veteran plates cost more than the registration for 2 years and no added cost in inspection/testing.
I want to say is the registration was a whopping $28 or so for my 97. It's partially based on year and value or something like that.

 

[shadowmoss]

There is testing Maricopa County. You have to go outside of Phoenix metro area to get around that. Then again, if you are in AZ on a semi-refular basis it isn't a big deal. I am registered in Payson using my Mom's S&B address. I'm looking around for a replacement when the time comes.

 

[paulj1966]

I found a piece of land it is 2.25 acres, at holbrook, Navajo county Arizona for sale it is only 1,200.00 dollars would this classify as permanent residence in Arizona I would still need a P.O. box just asking.

Thanks Paul.

 

[Gideon33w]

There is testing Maricopa County.  You have to go outside of Phoenix metro area to get around that.  Then again, if you are in AZ on a semi-refular basis it isn't a big deal.  I am registered in Payson using my Mom's S&B address.  I'm looking around for a replacement when the time comes.

You just have to be outside Phoenix or Tucson to dodge testing.

 

[dextours]

I've heard that when you first register a vehicle in Texas it needs to be inspected. If you then drive the vehicle out of state you don't have to inspect it again UNTIL it comes back into the state. In the case of full time RVers that could be never.

My source is the Internet, so do your own research.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

I've heard that when you first register a vehicle in Texas it needs to be inspected. If you then drive the vehicle out of state you don't have to inspect it again UNTIL it comes back into the state. In the case of full time RVers that could be never.

My source is the Internet, so do your own research.

That sounds unlikely to me. Otherwise how many vehicles that wouldn't pass the inspection would "just so happen to be out of state " would there be when it's time to renew tags.

Pretty sure you cannot register a vehicle in a state that you are not claiming residency. If you claim to be a resident with an address then your vehicles are subject to all applicable inspections, smog, etc.

 

[John61CT]

I don't think most states do any residency verification just for routine renewals do they?

My sister has vehicles registered in two different states, and her DL in a third, have to ask her next week

 

[highdesertranger]

"Pretty sure you cannot register a vehicle in a state that you are not claiming residency."

not true Arizona doesn't care what state your residency is. they will register your vehicle. they will send the renewal anywhere. however you must get insurance in Arizona which I found to be no problem. highdesertranger

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

"Pretty sure you cannot register a vehicle in a state that you are not claiming residency."  

not true Arizona doesn't care what state your residency is.  they will register your vehicle.  they will send the renewal anywhere.  however you must get insurance in Arizona which I found to be no problem.  highdesertranger

Does Arizona do inspections?

I guess my point is if they did I can't see how could circumvent them by not having the car in the state.

Otherwise my car would have always been out of the state when it came time to smog, while living in so cal.

 

[highdesertranger]

AZ only does emission inspections in 2 counties, that's where Tucson and Phoenix are, no other inspections. also you can register for 5 years at a time. it is also dirt cheap. I registered both of my trucks for 5 years for less then one truck in California for 1 year. my insurance was also cut in half. another point is Arizona will also register off highway vehicles as street legal. to me this is a no brainer. however because of the Feds to establish residency you must have a legal address and have all of your ducks in a row. but this is coming everywhere. highdesertranger

 

[C-Cat]

I'm planing to drive out to Coyote Howls East tomorrow and will report back...

 

[BigT]

I'm planing to drive out to Coyote Howls East tomorrow and will report back...

Please do, and try to sneak some pictures when they're not looking. 
(Bob said something about them not wanting him to take photos in one of his videos, but perhaps I misunderstood).

Ever since the government starting making it difficult to prove residency, I've been worried about how I'm going to get around it and still full time in a van.  
With this Coyote Howl option, things are looking much brighter.  I sure wish there were places like that in California, because that's where I work.  

$550 a year is nothing compared to the $1,100 a month I'm paying now for a tiny, cockroach infested, sweat-box of an apartment in Calif. 
(& don't get me started on the gang members I have for neighbors)....  

According to a YouTube video of Bob's I just watched, they allow you to erect a small storage shed on the spot you rent.  
That would make it easier to store your seasonal items (air conditioner, generator, tools, trailer, etc) while you traveled up north towards Flagstaff for the summer, or just have a place to keep things you don't want cluttering up your living space / van.  

My biggest issue with moving to Arizona is finding work.  I don't have a pension and I'm not on full-time disability, so I'd have to find a job somewhere to support myself.  
I'm guessing there's not a lot of job opportunities near the trailer park, so I'd have to work only part of the year, in the summer when I wasn't at "home". 

For a guy who has always had a full-time job and an apartment, this is all so new to me and confusing.

 

[C-Cat]

BigT: I don't know if I have time for photos and I would accept their policies, but there are some photos of the place just a google search away. I'll definitely report back on my experience. Yes, ~$550 a year for a legal address is definitely worthwhile. I don't really plan to stay there much... there are enough free camping options in AZ that are closer to civilization!

About jobs I unfortunately can't give you too much advice... only this maybe: I would probably not give up a secure job and get on the road if you don't already have a working replacement that you can do while traveling or if you haven't saved enough to be able to travel without need for earning money for at least 18 month (plus another emergency fund for repairs and the unexpected).

 

[moorejames]

That sounds unlikely to me. Otherwise how many vehicles that wouldn't pass the inspection would "just so happen to be out of state " would there be when it's time to renew tags.

Pretty sure you cannot register a vehicle in a state that you are not claiming residency. If you claim to be a resident with an address then your vehicles are subject to all applicable inspections, smog, etc.

That's exactly how it works... (my vehicles are registered in TX). 

Here's the page from TX DPS:  https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/vi/texasRegVeh.htm

If you're out of state at inspection renewal, you have 3 days upon returning to TX to get the inspection done. 

You can do the vehicle registration renewal by mail.

 

[C-Cat]

I'm now a Coyote Howls East resident... I think this will work out! I now rented one month to try it out and if everything goes well, I'll extend more months or take the annual option. The address of the park is now my legal address, so I should be able to get my health insurance and other stuff sorted for 2018...

About the park so far: Got there pretty late, so I didn't have the time to check everything out, but the staff was super nice and I have found a suitable space for the time being (you can change any time if you find a better space that is available). One little piece of advice; bring cash or checks... they don't process cards! Luckily there's a Casino nearby with an ATM machine, so I was able to pay the rent...
I get a 4G AT&T signal (no LTE though), with 1-2mbit... not great, but definitely workable (have yet to try out T-Mobile and Verizon). Overall the first impression was very positive about this place, though my passion is being on the road, so I don't expect to stay here too much...

Thanks again Bob, this is exactly what I needed!

-Chris

 

[highdesertranger]

thanks for the review Chris, give us updates. highdesertranger

 

[C-Cat]

Even T-Mobile works here (strong LTE signal) with slightly better results than the AT&T 4g, but the real stunner is Verizon: full 5 bars of LTE and 17mbps up, 15 down... wow - now I just wish I had unlimited Verizon service

 

[BC Guy]

Verizon MIFI unlimited @ $5 per month
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MIFI-5510L...277922?hash=item361d07b362:g:X1sAAOSwFe5Xx~-5

 

[C-Cat]

Verizon MIFI unlimited @ $5 per month
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MIFI-5510L...277922?hash=item361d07b362:g:X1sAAOSwFe5Xx~-5

Thanks for the heads-up - I definitely have my eye on one of those deals, but of course I'd rather have Verizon LTE unlimited for a reasonable price (one can only dream I guess .

 

[BigT]

I would probably not give up a secure job and get on the road if you don't already have a working replacement that you can do while traveling or if you haven't saved enough to be able to travel without need for earning money for at least 18 month (plus another emergency fund for repairs and the unexpected).

Not to get too personal about my finances, but given the annual cost of just $550, I've squirreled away enough in my emergency fund to cover the rent at the RV park for 100+ years.    Of course that doesn't include things like food, gas, supplies, repairs, health insurance, etc....  And I still need to find, buy and build a more suitable van.  The one I currently have, a Transit Connect, is far too small for anything more than camping trips.