Moving to California
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 7
From: SB County CA
Moving to California
Way off the typical topic, but I've noticed a lot of forum members are in CA so here it goes. I retire from the AF at the end of July, and I've been commuting to a regional airline job for the last 3 months...hence my lack of activity here. Anyway, I just received a great job offer in the Vandenburg, Lompoc, Santa Maria area... I figure I can get some unbiased info on the area from a few of you guys. If you're smart on the area, please share your thoughts or send me a PM...if all goes well, at least you'll have another C3 along for your cruises...
r,
Rob
r,
Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,333
Likes: 1,311
C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Income tax and everything tax is pretty much out of control in CA. If you're okay with that, and living in the land of the lib, best of luck. 
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
I live in California. Run by Liberal Democrats. They tax us to death. Your Corvette if after 1975 must pass smog. That means all compliant smog stuff on the car. Oh did I mention emission standards were cut in half as of last year. Hope she runs good and clean. Good for you on the job. Gotta pay bills but be warned you will be taxed to death. Sorry but it is true.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
I live in California. Run by Liberal Democrats. They tax us to death. Your Corvette if after 1975 must pass smog. That means all compliant smog stuff on the car. Oh did I mention emission standards were cut in half as of last year. Hope she runs good and clean. Good for you on the job. Gotta pay bills but be warned you will be taxed to death. Sorry but it is true.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 7
From: SB County CA
Great points on the smog issue. My car is a '68 so with a performance engine and Hooker side exhaust...what will I need to worry about?
Regarding the taxes...I'm actually from the East Bay Area, and my family is still there so I'm a little familiar with the states' many issues. I'm not looking forward to the taxes, home prices or bloated law books, but the job really is a great opportunity.
With that said, any first-hand knowledge on the area? I ask because the few online discussions I can find are full of inconsistencies...
Regarding the taxes...I'm actually from the East Bay Area, and my family is still there so I'm a little familiar with the states' many issues. I'm not looking forward to the taxes, home prices or bloated law books, but the job really is a great opportunity.
With that said, any first-hand knowledge on the area? I ask because the few online discussions I can find are full of inconsistencies...
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 585
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
I'm driving thru Santa Maria, on my way to LA as I write this reply (no, I'm not driving, the wife is at the wheel). Northern California is beautiful country and the weather can't be beat. Yes, taxes are a mess and a large segment of the population is extremely liberal but there's a reason there are so many of us living here. Welcome and we look forward to having you as a member of our community. Let us know once you get settled, perhaps you can join one of our runs which, by the way happen all year round do to the weather and wonderful scenery.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 585
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
Get a hold of Bee Jay . . . he lives in Lompoc and I think he owns Vandenburg 
http://www.californiastingrays.us/
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/sout...to-sonora.html
http://www.californiastingrays.us/
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/sout...to-sonora.html
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Moreno Valley CA
Santa Maria is very nice I have been there a few times. It's much better than Riverside in Southern California. If you were coming down to So Cal I would say run away. The other posts are correct crazy taxes and come on they put that moron Jerry Brown back in as Governor! (I say they because I sure didn't vote for him) The traffic up there is nothing compared to the traffic down here.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
No matter where you go, there's always "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"
I'm retired and wouldn't live any where else. California is the greatest state in the nation.
That's MY story and I'm sticking with it. 
I'm retired and wouldn't live any where else. California is the greatest state in the nation.
That's MY story and I'm sticking with it.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: santa clara ca
Remember they are only exempt for the smog test every other year. The vehicle code for smog equipment is still in play regardless of the year. Trust me i know.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d16_5/vc38390.htm
Oh yeah 2805 allows law enforcement to inspect your vehicle even if you are parked.
i miss my young days. Hey welcome to California.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d16_5/vc38390.htm
Oh yeah 2805 allows law enforcement to inspect your vehicle even if you are parked.
i miss my young days. Hey welcome to California.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 7
From: SB County CA
Thanks for the responses everyone...I read a few city-data threads and was thinking I'd be dodging bullets on my way to the grocery store, only to return home to find I'd been robbed again.
I'm thinking Lompoc, Mission Hills, Vandenburg Village or Orcutt/Santa Maria, but will need to check it out for myself. Will attempt to connect with Bee Jay for some insights...
Stingray, "exempt every 2 years"...? What exactly will that mean with a '68? Also, anyone know if motorcycles require smog ck/inspections?
I'm thinking Lompoc, Mission Hills, Vandenburg Village or Orcutt/Santa Maria, but will need to check it out for myself. Will attempt to connect with Bee Jay for some insights...
Stingray, "exempt every 2 years"...? What exactly will that mean with a '68? Also, anyone know if motorcycles require smog ck/inspections?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Remember they are only exempt for the smog test every other year. The vehicle code for smog equipment is still in play regardless of the year. Trust me i know.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d16_5/vc38390.htm
Oh yeah 2805 allows law enforcement to inspect your vehicle even if you are parked.
i miss my young days. Hey welcome to California.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d16_5/vc38390.htm
Oh yeah 2805 allows law enforcement to inspect your vehicle even if you are parked.
i miss my young days. Hey welcome to California.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: santa clara ca
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Remember they are only exempt for the smog test every other year. The vehicle code for smog equipment is still in play regardless of the year. Trust me i know.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d16_5/vc38390.htm
Oh yeah 2805 allows law enforcement to inspect your vehicle even if you are parked.
i miss my young days. Hey welcome to California.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d16_5/vc38390.htm
Oh yeah 2805 allows law enforcement to inspect your vehicle even if you are parked.
i miss my young days. Hey welcome to California.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Although it's unlikely, you can get hood popped by a cop and be forced to comply with the smog laws. The federal clean air act still applies. Even in states that don't have smog tests.
