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Best state to live in to do OTR?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 15RoadGlide, Apr 2, 2016.

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  1. Apr 2, 2016 #1
    15RoadGlide

    15RoadGlide Bobtail Member

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    I'm exploring leaving my medical career and going to CDL school.
    My ambition is to do OTR, live in the truck and just pound miles for a few years. Currently, I live in NH, and while I can do it making the money I am making now, I think living here would be somewhat impractical mainly because 1) Its expensive to live here 2) It may make carriers wary of hiring someone living in NH for home time (even though honestly I wouldn't do that often) and 3) most of the big carriers seem to be based more towards the centrail/midwest states.
    I have no problem leaving NH- I have no family here anymore other than my 21 year old son who will probably end up somewhere else, and I have nothing else tying me here.
    The one good thing about NH? No state income tax.
    I think my big plan would be to move somewhere where I could afford to buy a house in a few years (and not have to live to pay my mortgage) and be near the common OTR routes. I like Indiana, the real estate seems reasonable and the times I have been there I have enjoyed it.
    Are there any other good suggestions??
     
    15RoadGlide, Apr 2, 2016
    15RoadGlide, Apr 2, 2016
    #1
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  3. Apr 2, 2016 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Move to another state with no personal income taxes and reasonable home prices.
    I moved to Nevada for those reasons plus excellent weather year round. Tennessee, my home state is also good & no personal income taxes, but I hate cold weather so moved to southern Nevada. Northern Nevada/Reno, etc. can get nasty in the winter.

    Texas and Florida have good weather and no personal income taxes.

    Escapees RV Club can give you a domicile address without actually owning a home in Florida or Texas. Some truckers use this service when they want to live in the truck and save money.
     
    Chinatown, Apr 2, 2016
    Chinatown, Apr 2, 2016
    #2
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  4. Apr 2, 2016 #3
    FlexinTarzan

    FlexinTarzan Medium Load Member

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    Texas or Eastern Washington
     
    FlexinTarzan, Apr 2, 2016
    FlexinTarzan, Apr 2, 2016
    #3
  5. Apr 2, 2016 #4
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Las Vegas is best.....lol. Lots of trucking companies hire from there.
     
    Chinatown, Apr 2, 2016
    Chinatown, Apr 2, 2016
    #4
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  7. Apr 2, 2016 #5
    Longarm

    Longarm Road Train Member

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    Indiana sucks.

    Eastern Tennessee would be my choice.
     
    Longarm, Apr 2, 2016
    Longarm, Apr 2, 2016
    #5
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  9. Apr 2, 2016 #5
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    If you hire on otr out of Vegas what companies are there and do you primarily drive the West coast?
     
    tommymonza, Apr 2, 2016
    tommymonza, Apr 2, 2016
    #5
  10. Apr 2, 2016 #6
    mnmover

    mnmover Road Train Member

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    Oklahoma or Missouri
     
    mnmover, Apr 2, 2016
    mnmover, Apr 2, 2016
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  11. Apr 2, 2016 #7
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Gatlinburg,TN
     
    Chinatown, Apr 2, 2016
    Chinatown, Apr 2, 2016
    #7
  12. Apr 2, 2016 #8
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    You can do either; western states or coast to coast.Dozens of companies; Abilene Motor Express, Magnum ltd(I think) and many others. Watkins-Shepard has a terminal there.
    Kold Trans
    Decker Truck Line
    Old Dominion
    A&R Logistics
    Jim Palmer Trucking
    KKW Trucking Co.
    and many others.

    Knight and Andrus have drop yards there.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2016
    Chinatown, Apr 2, 2016
    Chinatown, Apr 2, 2016
    #8
  13. Apr 2, 2016 #9
    Longarm

    Longarm Road Train Member

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    Gatlinburg is just a tourist trap anymore and I'd hate to live there. I'd pick a small town close to Knoxville though. Close to 40 and 75, mountains close enough for getaway weekends. Moderate weather; not too hot or too cold.

    Nashville is way too metro and populated and Memphis is just Detroit with nicer weather.
     
    Longarm, Apr 2, 2016
    Longarm, Apr 2, 2016
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  14. Apr 2, 2016 #10
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    I agree that location of service terminals that may or may not exist should factor into such a decision, as well as non-income tax states. Though, IMO, NH is really not a bad place for many of the classic 48 state truckload carriers I am familiar with. Easy to get freight in there, unload, then travel a short distance home and not be rushed to finish a load.

    There are good locations on certain lanes, depending on the carrier, where it can be both good for getting home, and getting -though- home [in between home times] This is always nice to easily be able to stop in a few hours, and get mail and check on things then continue one your way. I recommend you stay with a new carrier for at least 6 months to determine their usual lanes [and how they treat you] before you commit to moving to a place that may not be ideal for the next job.
     
    STexan, Apr 2, 2016
    STexan, Apr 2, 2016
    #10
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