I know the laws change from state to state...90 days resident, 1 year.....though if you're really planning on making a state your home.....ie for more than one year, ideally quite a few years, and have a resident driver's license, I consider just applying as a resident, esp if I filed taxes already etc....paid some utility bills or something, plead ignorance or something, haha. Though you can still apply as a non-res, what's 1 year going to hurt? sometimes poorer draw odds, occasionally better! either way you're still in the draw/lottery and have a chance.

Cost of living's expensive, but it's worth it, and you can't take it with you!