Possible move to California

[exskibum]

As to "leaning left", Ellay and San Francisco skew the political landscape. Most of the "fly over counties" are like the same areas elsewhere in the country.

Exactly! I just shake my head when someone makes that statewide generalization without really knowing the political landscape. As you (Mike) know, the predominant political philosophy where I live is well to the right of Orange County and much of Texas. Just this morning, I read that Bush's approval rating remains several points above 50% here, and that's a difficult polling parameter to find in the country nowadays. Left leaning it definitely is not.

 

[twowheelnut]

As to "leaning left", Ellay and San Francisco skew the political landscape. Most of the "fly over counties" are like the same areas elsewhere in the country.

Exactly! I just shake my head when someone makes that statewide generalization without really knowing the political landscape. As you (Mike) know, the predominant political philosophy where I live is well to the right of Orange County and much of Texas. Just this morning, I read that Bush's approval rating remains several points above 50% here, and that's a difficult polling parameter to find in the country nowadays. Left leaning it definitely is not.

Did you know that if you lean left on an FJR, it will turn round the corner? (Ya always gotta stick sumpin' about the Feej or motorsickles when you go with the 'P' comments. )

Welcome back ex. Missed you at WFO. Maybe next time?

 

[FJR Gary]

Small world. I grew up In Exeter back in the 50s and 60s. It was a sleepy little town of about 5,000. Last time I was there was in 2001 for my mother's funeral. By then it had grown to about 9,000. I think its sort of a bedroom community to Visalia now. Visalia was a town of about 20,000 back in the 50s. Now I thinks its well over 100,000.

As others have said, you're about an hour away from some great mountain riding. Hwy 198 goes up to Sequoia Nat'l Park. Yosemite is only a few hours away. If you like the ocean, its only about 2-1/2 to 3 hours away.

Can't help you much on living costs, taxes, etc. I moved to VA in 1969.

 

[rogdeb]

Check out page 28 of Sept Friction Zone, Exeter is a ride point for the "Coffee etc" ride.

 

[CAJW]

Thanks to all that have replied. It was interesting learning more about the area. I've checked out the registration information and believe the required 7,500 miles won't be an issue for me just in case it applies to out of state residents moving to CA.
I'm looking forward to taking my wife for some rides in the mountains and along the coast. I'm really looking forward to not putting my bike away when the snow flies until it begins to thaw. 30 - 40 degrees sounds like heaven in January compared to -10 in Wisconsin. Having so many different things to see and do will be great as both of us were born and raised in WI.

Does anyone have problems with allergies or asthma? Is the dust a problem?

From what I understand, it sounds like Exeter is similar to our town. That is good to hear as we are moving with three teenaged girls that will appreciate some things being similar.

Bring on the twisty roads, mountains and coastal views!!

Best Regards,

Steve

Steve,

Sorry to contradict what some have typed here, but Ca DOES require vehicles to be Ca smog compliant or have 7500 miles or more to register it in this state. As a new resident I found out that my FJR purchased recently needed the obligitory 7500 miles so I brought it to Ca via Montana and now it is registered with over 7500 miles. BTW, do NOT take a 49 state bike down to the DMV with less than 7500 miles showing as it will get blacklisted via VIN and cannot EVER be registered in Ca. (info from CHP) Great excuse to tell the Mrs. when moving that you need to ride it out!

JW

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

 

[boardsNbikes]

BTW, do NOT take a 49 state bike down to the DMV with less than 7500 miles showing as it will get blacklisted via VIN and cannot EVER be registered in Ca. (info from CHP) Great excuse to tell the Mrs. when moving that you need to ride it out!JW

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

I heard about the DMV blacklisting from other sources as well.

 

[exskibum]

Steve, Sorry to contradict what some have typed here, but Ca DOES require vehicles to be Ca smog compliant or have 7500 miles or more to register it in this state. As a new resident I found out that my FJR purchased recently needed the obligitory 7500 miles so I brought it to Ca via Montana and now it is registered with over 7500 miles. BTW, do NOT take a 49 state bike down to the DMV with less than 7500 miles showing as it will get blacklisted via VIN and cannot EVER be registered in Ca. (info from CHP) Great excuse to tell the Mrs. when moving that you need to ride it out!

JW

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

Thank you for the info, JW. I hadn't bothered to check whether there might be an exception, since I intended to have 7500 on both bikes when I registered them. Now that I've read that guidance material in the link you posted, I'm that much more determined to have the necessary miles. The FJR is beyond the requirement, but the XX is just shy of 6500 today. Going on an FJR mountain passes ride this Friday, but I'm riding the XX, just for that reason.

Note however, that the section in the Health and safety code that is referenced, H & S Section 4351, has an exemption at subdivision c. While I'm not at all sure what "a certificate of conformity issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.)" consists of, that subdivision makes it clear that if your vehicle has such a certificate, and you originally bought the vehicle in another state when you were a resident there, you're exempt. NOT that I'd want to have to argue the point to a California DMV counterperson (compared to my experience in other states, our CA DMV folks seem to be the most officious, unfriendly, unhelpful and nasty bureaucrats anywhere).

Again, thanks for the info.

 

[Rogue]

Steve, Sorry to contradict what some have typed here, but Ca DOES require vehicles to be Ca smog compliant or have 7500 miles or more to register it in this state. As a new resident I found out that my FJR purchased recently needed the obligitory 7500 miles so I brought it to Ca via Montana and now it is registered with over 7500 miles. BTW, do NOT take a 49 state bike down to the DMV with less than 7500 miles showing as it will get blacklisted via VIN and cannot EVER be registered in Ca. (info from CHP) Great excuse to tell the Mrs. when moving that you need to ride it out!

JW

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

Thank you for the info, JW. I hadn't bothered to check whether there might be an exception, since I intended to have 7500 on both bikes when I registered them. Now that I've read that guidance material in the link you posted, I'm that much more determined to have the necessary miles. The FJR is beyond the requirement, but the XX is just shy of 6500 today. Going on an FJR mountain passes ride this Friday, but I'm riding the XX, just for that reason.

Note however, that the section in the Health and safety code that is referenced, H & S Section 4351, has an exemption at subdivision c. While I'm not at all sure what "a certificate of conformity issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.)" consists of, that subdivision makes it clear that if your vehicle has such a certificate, and you originally bought the vehicle in another state when you were a resident there, you're exempt. NOT that I'd want to have to argue the point to a California DMV counterperson (compared to my experience in other states, our CA DMV folks seem to be the most officious, unfriendly, unhelpful and nasty bureaucrats anywhere).

Again, thanks for the info.

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY The document issued to a vehicle manufacturer by EPA under section 206(a) of the Act A certificate of conformity certifies that a particular class of motor vehicles conforms to the EPA requirements. Every class of motor vehicles introduced into the commerce of the U.S. must have a certificate of conformity, and they are valid for only one model year of production.

 

[CAJW]

Steve, Sorry to contradict what some have typed here, but Ca DOES require vehicles to be Ca smog compliant or have 7500 miles or more to register it in this state. As a new resident I found out that my FJR purchased recently needed the obligitory 7500 miles so I brought it to Ca via Montana and now it is registered with over 7500 miles. BTW, do NOT take a 49 state bike down to the DMV with less than 7500 miles showing as it will get blacklisted via VIN and cannot EVER be registered in Ca. (info from CHP) Great excuse to tell the Mrs. when moving that you need to ride it out!

JW

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

Thank you for the info, JW. I hadn't bothered to check whether there might be an exception, since I intended to have 7500 on both bikes when I registered them. Now that I've read that guidance material in the link you posted, I'm that much more determined to have the necessary miles. The FJR is beyond the requirement, but the XX is just shy of 6500 today. Going on an FJR mountain passes ride this Friday, but I'm riding the XX, just for that reason.

Note however, that the section in the Health and safety code that is referenced, H & S Section 4351, has an exemption at subdivision c. While I'm not at all sure what "a certificate of conformity issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.)" consists of, that subdivision makes it clear that if your vehicle has such a certificate, and you originally bought the vehicle in another state when you were a resident there, you're exempt. NOT that I'd want to have to argue the point to a California DMV counterperson (compared to my experience in other states, our CA DMV folks seem to be the most officious, unfriendly, unhelpful and nasty bureaucrats anywhere).

Again, thanks for the info.

One more point to make that I learned the hard (read expensive) way. If your vehicle is less than one year old at the time of registering in CA, you "get" to pay the difference in sales tax rates between the state you purchased it and CA. This little detail cost me an additional $168 over what I paid in AZ. Had I read the fine print, I'd have held off until November to register it here and save me the cash. Oh and BTW, the clerk at the DMV seemed to be rubbing her hands together and smirked while I was writing my second check that day which pushed the total over $350 !!!!!!

 

[boardsNbikes]

Oh and BTW, the clerk at the DMV seemed to be rubbing her hands together and smirked while I was writing my second check that day which pushed the total over $350 !!!!!!

While I'm at the CA DMV, I get the feeling the agents work on a percentage of fees collected. I was getting my registration for my now salvaged FJR and the receipt had at least 12 different fees. Some were so coded I have no idea what they were for.