Possible move to California

[SJBFJR]

Hello to all,

I just found out that there is a very good possibility my wife and I will be moving to California.

The town we are looking at is Exeter, just outside of Visalia. Never having been there, I have no idea of what to expect. I see that Toecutter and Pennerk live close to the area. I was looking for good and bad info about the area from weather to roads and anything in between. I would appreciate hearing anything you might think of that I could use. We would be moving from the Madison area of Wisconsin and I am excited about the possibility of riding all year long. :yahoo:

We have been looking up a lot of info on line but there isn't much about roads and the riding there. So I guess road information is at the top of my list, but I'm sure there are things we will have neglected to consider. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

As far as percent chance of moving I would say 98%.

As far as reason for move, wife taking a transfer with her company.

When, looks like the end of the year.

If there is no 2%, I look forward to running into (not literally) some of the FJR Forum's CA riders.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give us.

Sincerely,

Steve

 

[madmike2]

I'm a couple of hours North in the Sacramento area.

The San Joaquin valley is HOT! And flat! (When not irrigated, it is desert.) My daughter called me from Fresno during their heat wave and it was 95 degrees on her patio @ 10:00 PM. Their pool water was 85+.

There is great riding, but you will have to travel to be in the mountains . Exeter is about 20 miles from the Kings Canyon Nat'l forest...another 20 miles through the Giant Redwoods. About 90 miles North on Hwy 99-Hwy 41 will get you to Oakhurst, the gateway to the South entrance of Yosemite. From there are many of the mountain passes we ride: Hwy 120, Hwy 108, Hwy 4, etc., which can be viewed on our ride reports.

A little over 100 miles West will get you to the coast. Some of the most beautiful scenery is along Hwy 1 which runs North through Big Sur to Monterey Bay or South through San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara (TWNs hangout). There are also plenty of secondary roads that run between Hwy 1 and Hwy 101.

40 miles South on Hwy 99 to Delano then East on Hwy 155. One of the unknown jewels of a road to Lake Isabella. Once you start up the mountain (about 20 miles) you'll have 50 miles of twisty-turny mountain roads to the lake.

Welcome to California.

 

[Bike Effects]

Well MM2, you are just a regular travel agent! Good job!

 

[twowheelnut]

¡Hola, Esteban! Señor, recepción a California. ¿Cómo es su español? ¿Si usted está oxidado, usted mejora el cepillo para arriba antes de que usted consiga aquí, sí? Y sí, Miguel correcto, hay porciones de caminos finos, pero es muy caliente en el valle.

:bye:

 

[Scab]

Uh, Mr. TWN, we are going to need to see your green card now.

 

[CAJW]

Hello to all,
I just found out that there is a very good possibility my wife and I will be moving to California.

The town we are looking at is Exeter, just outside of Visalia. Never having been there, I have no idea of what to expect. I see that Toecutter and Pennerk live close to the area. I was looking for good and bad info about the area from weather to roads and anything in between. I would appreciate hearing anything you might think of that I could use. We would be moving from the Madison area of Wisconsin and I am excited about the possibility of riding all year long. :yahoo:

We have been looking up a lot of info on line but there isn't much about roads and the riding there. So I guess road information is at the top of my list, but I'm sure there are things we will have neglected to consider. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

As far as percent chance of moving I would say 98%.

As far as reason for move, wife taking a transfer with her company.

When, looks like the end of the year.

If there is no 2%, I look forward to running into (not literally) some of the FJR Forum's CA riders.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give us.

Sincerely,

Steve

Steve,

I grew up in Visalia and have worked in Exeter in the past. Great "little" town, but it has grown quite a bit while I spent the last 15 years in AZ. Now that I'm a Mercedian (about 1.5 hrs. North) I'm enjoying those great California roads again. Exeter is the gateway to many great rides, Yokohol Valley, Dry Creek Road and Hwy 198 through the parks to mention a few. The town is old style hub and spoke layout and has just in the last few years has gotten a couple more stop lights (I think the total is up to 6). Lots of tree lined streets and a lot of town spirit (football on Friday nights, etc..) I've got friends and family that live there and they love it! FYI, at one point about 20 years ago, it had the most millionaires per capita of any city in the state, not sure if that still holds true, but would be a great place to try and get adopted. Weather is foggy and cold (upper 30's to 40's for highs)in the winter, Nov-Feb, but still rideable in the mountains which are usually above the fog. Spring and Fall are great and even Summer cools off in the evenings for a quick run up in the hills. Save your pennies as real estate, like a lot of California, is pricey. Drop me a line when you get settled in and I'll show you the above roads and a few "secret" ones. Good luck!

John W.

 

[boardsNbikes]

¡Hola, Esteban! Señor, recepción a California. ¿Cómo es su español? ¿Si usted está oxidado, usted mejora el cepillo para arriba antes de que usted consiga aquí, sí? Y sí, Miguel correcto, hay porciones de caminos finos, pero es muy caliente en el valle.

Conjo. El barrio se fue al mierda.

 

[chickey191]

you will have to do a few things:

1. learn about Tule Fog

2. Learn about HEAT

3. Learn spanish

4. Learn the most direct route into the mountains

---

visalia is centrally located in the Central Valley and as others have pointed out - it is freekin' HOT in the summer. The fog can be brutal in the winter -

but you can get anywhere in Cal pretty quickly due to the cental location.

I'd guess that Visalia area would be out of the super high cost of living area -

but get used to dirt on everything - Central Valley is the farm belt of CA and that means they plow and the plant and harvest - and dirt is in the air - ALL THE TIME.

also get used to 99 (the road... not the temperature ('cause it will only be 99 on its way UP).

I was in Fresno for a couple of years and have now moved to San Diego -

I'd rather be here than there - but I enjoyed the people and the location. didnt like Fresno all that much, but I liked being able to get to the mountains in about 30 minutes and lakes for water sports are nearby.

Definately get some warm weather riding gear (and I moved there from Nevada and I still thought it was HOT).

 

[Bounce]

¡Hola, Esteban! Señor, recepción a California. ¿Cómo es su español? ¿Si usted está oxidado, usted mejora el cepillo para arriba antes de que usted consiga aquí, sí? Y sí, Miguel correcto, hay porciones de caminos finos, pero es muy caliente en el valle.

Hi, Esteban, sir. In California the radio and tv reception is very good. Yes, our oxen are mostly eastern but can parasail faster than ants or cheese. Mike's right, our porcupines eat hay and our el caminos are very fine when calibrated but can be hot without drapes being installed.

So, TWN, How'd I do with the translation? My Spanish has gotten much better over the years.

 

[krashdragon]

Hello to all,
I just found out that there is a very good possibility my wife and I will be moving to California.

The town we are looking at is Exeter, just outside of Visalia. Never having been there, I have no idea of what to expect. I see that Toecutter and Pennerk live close to the area. I was looking for good and bad info about the area from weather to roads and anything in between. I would appreciate hearing anything you might think of that I could use. We would be moving from the Madison area of Wisconsin and I am excited about the possibility of riding all year long. :yahoo:

We have been looking up a lot of info on line but there isn't much about roads and the riding there. So I guess road information is at the top of my list, but I'm sure there are things we will have neglected to consider. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

As far as percent chance of moving I would say 98%.

As far as reason for move, wife taking a transfer with her company.

When, looks like the end of the year.

If there is no 2%, I look forward to running into (not literally) some of the FJR Forum's CA riders.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give us.

Sincerely,

Steve

I now live in Ohio, but have been to NoCali a couple of time...

The cnetral vayy is REALLY HOT!

Get used to drinking LOTS of water...

Make sure you have enuf miles on your bike so you can get Cali tags...they have more stupid regs there than anywhere...

It's dusty, but the fresh fruits and veggies are great....

it's hot

It's dusty! <G>

Good luck

Mary

 

[falcon]

I tried to get a job in silicon valley earlier this year but couldn't get the kind of salary I was expecting...this thread makes me want to consider moving there again, maybe not the bay area though. Been here for 6 years and...meh...nothing keeping me here...

 

[madmike2]

Make sure you have enuf miles on your bike so you can get Cali tags...they have more stupid regs there than anywhere...

You'd have to check with CA DMV, but I believe the mileage rule would not apply to an out-of-state person moving to CA. It IS meant for those CA residents who attempt to bring a 49 state bike into CA and register it.

 

[SJBFJR]

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

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Pucker up if you expect to buy Ca. realestate. Plus the taxes and I hope you lean left. A real eye opener.

 

[exskibum]

Make sure you have enuf miles on your bike so you can get Cali tags...they have more stupid regs there than anywhere...

You'd have to check with CA DMV, but I believe the mileage rule would not apply to an out-of-state person moving to CA. It IS meant for those CA residents who attempt to bring a 49 state bike into CA and register it.

I *believe* Mike is right, but am going to go the safe (7500 mile) route anyway. I bought both my current bikes as a Nevada resident during the short time I was out of California (I'm back now). Have enough miles on my FJR, but I need another 1200 on the '03 Blackbird to make 7500. Needless to say, it's getting most of my riding miles right now.

As to the rides out of Exeter into the foothills and Sierras, I concur -- just great. Yokohl valley is idyllic with a glimpse of what it was like to be in California range land in the foothills in the 50s -- before everything got bought up and subdivided.

 

[RadioHowie]

¡Hola, Esteban! Señor, recepción a California. ¿Cómo es su español? ¿Si usted está oxidado, usted mejora el cepillo para arriba antes de que usted consiga aquí, sí? Y sí, Miguel correcto, hay porciones de caminos finos, pero es muy caliente en el valle.

:bye:

TWN...AltaVista's Babel Fish says "you're full of shit!"

"Hello, Esteban! Gentleman, reception to California. How he is his Spanish? If you are oxidized, you improvement the brush for above before you obtain here, yes? And yes, correct Miguel, are portions of fine ways, but he is very hot in the valley."

:****:

 

[twowheelnut]

TWN...AltaVista's Babel Fish says "you're full of shit!"

"Hello, Esteban! Gentleman, reception to California. How he is his Spanish? If you are oxidized, you improvement the brush for above before you obtain here, yes? And yes, correct Miguel, are portions of fine ways, but he is very hot in the valley."

:****:

You dumb ****. You translated it from Spanish, not Mexicanish. Wada nimrod! :haha:

Hi Steve! Welcome to California. How is your Spanish? If it is rusty, you better brush up on it before you get here. And yes, Michael is correct, there are many fine roads, but it is very hot in the valley.

:****:

 

[RadioHowie]

You dumb ****. You translated it from Spanish, not Mexicanish. Wada nimrod! :haha:
:****:

Shit.

 

[madmike2]

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

Steve, if you are sensitive to allergies there will be times of the year when the valley will present problems. When the wind blows, dust and pollen are moved into the air. Once the planting season is done and they begin to irigate the problem lessens. Of course, livestock always stirs up dust, so if you are close to a dairy..... However, more of these smaller communities are becoming "commute towns" and the very local farms are being turned into housing tracts. Exeter will still be surrounded by producing farms...and great fresh, local produce.

Pucker up if you expect to buy Ca. realestate. Plus the taxes and I hope you lean left. A real eye opener.

Of course, you can google real estate and get an idea, or call the local visitors bureau or a real estate office. 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.