...we are considering moving our state of residence from CA, for several reasons, and South Dakota has been recommneded to us. Keep in mind that we won't really live there, our home is where we are parked, but apparently we need to own property in SD before we can become residents. Anyone here from SD who can answer some questions for us???

what's the question? I'm in Sioux Falls (SE corner of the state). No state income tax is nice, vehicle registration is dirt cheap,

I spend four years going to college in Brookings, SD back in the eighties. It was nice then except for the bitter-cold winters. Talking to friends who are still there indicates those winters have returned...

-Blast

"...No state income tax is nice, vehicle registration is dirt cheap..."

Wow, you just answered the two most important questions, and I like the answers! Just been searching some realestate ads, we can buy a corner lot in the little burg of Edgemont (southwest corner of the state) for $2,500. I guess that would make us instant residents.

Thanks for your info, if you can think of anything else, positive or neg, please send me a pm...

"...the bitter-cold winters..."

Not planning on spending too many winters there. Snowbirds we are (or at least that has always been the plan, we have been snowed on some the last three winters. Yuk...

I have nothing positive or negativ to say about either of the Dakotas. I've never been to either.

But one other state you might consider if you want to avoid income taxes is a neighboring state, Wyoming. If you avoid Jackson Hole and that area, it's relatively inexpensive. The state government gets much of it's money from mineral, oil and gas rights.

You don't have to own real estate to be a resident, leasing property works just as good. One hint is to find a business that has a mail drop service and use their address, although that may not be entirely legal, but it can be awfully cheap.

Knowing how much OBG likes the white stuff, every county in Wyoming has historically had snow in every month of the year...

That's probably true. But how different are the Dakotas in that regard? I doubt it is that different.

OBG,

I would make sure what the "domicile laws" are for the state you are looking at. I'm not completely sure that owning a chunck of dirt qualifies as residency. You may have to have active utilities on the property.

MoBOB