Why We Left South Dakota Early — Our Journey to Livingston, Texas & Domicile Life Begins!
Life on the road means plans are flexible, timelines shift, and sometimes you have to trade scenic adventures for paperwork and state requirements. In this episode of The Simple Mile, we packed up earlier than expected in South Dakota and began making our way south — destination: Livingston, Texas.
Why the sudden schedule change?
Because full-time RV life comes with logistics, legal checklists, and a few deadlines you definitely don’t want to miss!
📍 Becoming Official Texans — Our Domicile Choice
After researching multiple popular domicile options — like South Dakota, Florida, and Texas — we decided to make Texas our legal home base. And not just anywhere in Texas… but specifically through Escapees RV Club, one of the most trusted and long-standing domicile services for full-time travelers.
What makes Texas a great domicile choice?
✔ RV-friendly laws
✔ No state income tax
✔ Escapees program with mail forwarding, support, & guidance
✔ Easy access to long-term RV resources
✔ A strong, welcoming RV community
And once we made the switch, the clock started ticking… fast!
⏱️ Racing the 30-Day Deadline
Part of establishing domicile includes registering your vehicles in your new state. That means:
- Driver’s licenses
- Vehicle tags
- Insurance updates
- Paperwork & verification
And when you become a Texas resident through Escapees, you have 30 days to register your vehicles. With the deadline approaching, we chose to head south early rather than scramble, rush, or stress at the last minute.
RV life rule #1: Start early, travel smart, avoid panic. 😄
🌙 Boondocking Our Way South
Rather than rushing long driving days or booking campground after campground, we chose to boondock on the way — soaking in quiet nights, slower mornings, and peaceful, unplugged travel.
There’s something special about boondocking:
✨ No schedules
✨ No hookups
✨ No distractions
✨ Just you, the road, and the stars
It reminded us why we chose this lifestyle in the first place — freedom with purpose, not chaos without direction.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
