Mission Behind Enemy Lines

[Abraham]

BBYC,

I can and will when I so choose post my opinion.

My situation in life doesn't nullify my opinion and only moderators have the authority to censor my opinion.

I do understand some want that same authority when they're simply in the same position as me, just another member of the forum.

Carry on.

[The Annoyed Man]

I wouldn’t go. I don’t have your career considerations to make, and I’m retired....so I can’t afford to live there anyway. But even with money being no object, I wouldn’t go. I lived most of my life there until I moved here in 2006. Every time I got back to visit family (I can’t get them to visit me here, so either I go, or I never see them), it’s like 2 weeks of listening to fingernails on a blackboard. The state is dirty.......and by that, I mean just plain filthy. There’s a layer of grime on everything. There’s graffiti everywhere. The freeways are lined with abandoned couches and rolled up carpets. There are freeway interchanges that were already under construction for several years before I left, that have not yet been finished today. The homeless population is enormous, but those same Californians that will give away all your hard earned money to make life easy for illegal aliens, won’t spend a red cent to feed or house the homeless. They are heartless bastards. Everything is overpriced. You want to scare yourself? Do a little real estate shopping while you’re there, just to open your eyes.

I wouldn’t waste my time bringing along anything more than a cheap pistol, or cheap shotgun, that won’t break your bank to lose them. Be sure to check your white privilege before crossing the Colorado river. Be careful of what you say, and to whom you say it. Even something innocent said in good jest is not likely to be well taken. Despite what the lying left tells you, you CAN go to jail for refusing to use the other person’s preferred pronoun - of which there are dozens. And, California has just reduced sentences for knowingly infecting someone with aids. Good luck, and don’t stay a minute longer than necesssary.

[ScottDLS]

I've gone to CA for several temporary assignments (3-9 months) in the last 4 years. They were beneficial for my career and my expenses were paid. I never took a gun. I work in DC and Federal and military facilities a lot too, so I can't carry at work anyway. I also went to Argentina for a year on temporary assignment for work. I obviously couldn't carry there. I did it because I make a lot of money doing what I do and I have to be willing to take the assignments that come. As a reward I buy myself more guns when I get home. Since I'm not an independently wealthy real-estate investor and gambler (yet), I'm not going to use a location's gun laws to decide whether to work there (temporarily).

Hopefully your company "grosses up" your salary for CA taxes. They are very high, and they will likely come after you for them if you don't pay.

[SQLGeek]

As a help to your career, a short term assignment living there is a no-brainer. I grew up in CA. Having traveled through there extensively and lived in several different parts, it is a physically beautiful place. It is politically ugly and very expensive but you might be surprised in just how active of a shooting community you will find especially in Southern California.

I survived growing up there, moving to Texas, moving back there for a couple of years before returning to the Lone Star state. You will do fine. Definitely follow Captain Matt's advice though and don't miss any deadlines required for getting your California DL or registering your vehicle. The fines are heavy.

And a tip for the California DMV, make an appointment online. You will save a ton of time.

[SQLGeek]

The state is dirty.......and by that, I mean just plain filthy. There’s a layer of grime on everything. There’s graffiti everywhere. The freeways are lined with abandoned couches and rolled up carpets.

You need to get away from LA the next time you go back. Spend a week in San Luis Obispo and along the coast there.

[The Annoyed Man]

The state is dirty.......and by that, I mean just plain filthy. There’s a layer of grime on everything. There’s graffiti everywhere. The freeways are lined with abandoned couches and rolled up carpets.

You need to get away from LA the next time you go back. Spend a week in San Luis Obispo and along the coast there.

Actually, you’re right about that. My aunt Meg lives in Santa Maria, and my cousin Bryn and his family live in Orcut, not far away. Both are nice little towns. But unless the OP is going to live and work in a place like that, he’s in for an unpleasant surprise.

[bmwrdr]

Grocery stores charge 5 cents per bag FYI. Just got back from my sisters wedding.

... surcharges on gas stations, some don't even take major credit cards.
... state income tax is higher then in any other states.
... traffic tickets for a minor speed offense are twice as high as in any other states.
... property is only affordable in the Mojave desert which BTW is the best part of the state in my opinion. Plentyful of space for off-road motorcycle riding etc.
... did anybody mention the gas prizes?
... stopping 3 ft. past a stop sign is a traffic violation.

In regards to state tax I would pay attention and leave my primary household in TX. For 6 month a commuting contract should be sufficient.
I would noy even think about obtaing a CA DL for 6 month.

I agree with anybody stating there are much better places to be. My prferences over CA are TX, AK, AL, OK, NM, AZ, KS, MO, LA, MS, FL, AL, GA, SB, NC, several Asian and European countries.

[Abraham]

Perhaps, if the OP has spent some time in 3rd world countries, the culture shock will be somewhat diminished...

A week before Chavez took over Venezuela, I was in Caracas. It was at it's peak standard of living and let's say the slums of Caracas were severely defective before Chavez, but after he arrived and now with Maduro, it's more than horrific and everywhere, not just in the slum hills. So roughly guessing, california's general standard of living is rather on the order of the pre-Chavez/Maduro Venezuela enjoyed.

Many moons ago, before the leftists grasped control of california, I lived there a couple of times and even did my Army basic and AIT training at Fort Ord in Monterrey.

It was a gloriously beautiful place to be. Yes, even Fort Ord was beautiful. Carmel, just down the road was something out of a delightful dream.

Now, sadly leftists have rendered the state into a nightmare.

Too bad leftists have taken over and turned it into a 3rd world cesspool with only scattered pockets of 1st world standards of living here and there available for a lucky few. But as TAM warned, no matter where located in cally world, keep your conservative values held close to your chest. Big brother there really is watching...

[der Teufel]

Whatever you do, DON"T change your mailing address to get mail in California. I'm not sure what other options exist, perhaps you could have it forwarded, or sent to a PO Box from which someone else would forward it to you. If you change you mailing address, CA will consider you a resident and tax the stuffing out of you. Make sure you can legitimately claim to be only a temporary worker.

Back on topic, a friend took an assignment out of the country a few years ago. He gave me his firearms to keep. I agree with TAM — I wouldn't bring anything I really valued with me.

[rotor]

East LA is known as The Bario and I hope you are not going to be there. I lived in LA in the 60's and it was nice then. Reagan was Governor, had some wonderful gun shops and laws were nothing like now. I went to college in LA. Those days are gone and I hate going to California for anything even though I have family there. California will try to tax you as a resident so be careful otherwise you will end up paying income tax and it won't be cheap. I was stationed in northern California when I was in the service. Four years and fought California for 4 years not to pay them income tax. When I joined the Air Force they convinced me to become a Texas resident. Very wise thing so be careful with your residency status and your tax status. Taking a firearm to California is a questionable thing although my brother just took a .380 Colt Mustang back to California that I gave him as a gift. People either love it or they hate it. The worst part of California is that the educated ones think we in Texas are a bunch of idiots. That's why I never talk politics with my California family.

[pbwalker]

... stopping 3 ft. past a stop sign is a traffic violation.

I'm pretty sure you'd get dinged for that anywhere, not just CA.

[bmwrdr]

... stopping 3 ft. past a stop sign is a traffic violation.

I'm pretty sure you'd get dinged for that anywhere, not just CA.

Perhaps but I had to pay a $120 fine for that in CA. The stop sign was just 3 ft before I could get a clear view to the main road. I explained the cop that there are bushes obstructing my view if I'd have stopped exactly at or before the sign. His simple answer was he is not responsible for that but I could bring this up to a judge at the court. Needless to say I paid and did not pursue to get my right.
I call it a rip off by ignorance of logic, common sense and in favor for their budget!
I doubt there is a police officer in Texas sowing that level of ignorance. Quiet frankly, I haven't had an issue in TX at all with my driving style.
BTW, the state of CA can't even pay for the interest on their debt.

[pbwalker]

... stopping 3 ft. past a stop sign is a traffic violation.

I'm pretty sure you'd get dinged for that anywhere, not just CA.

Perhaps but I had to pay a $120 fine for that in CA. The stop sign was just 3 ft before I could get a clear view to the main road. I explained the cop that there are bushes obstructing my view if I'd have stopped exactly at or before the sign. His simple answer was he is not responsible for that but I could bring this up to a judge at the court. Needless to say I paid and did not pursue to get my right.
I call it a rip off by ignorance of logic, common sense and in favor for their budget!
I doubt there is a police officer in Texas sowing that level of ignorance. Quiet frankly, I haven't had an issue in TX at all with my driving style.
BTW, the state of CA can't even pay for the interest on their debt.

I'm with ya on that. I hate the stop signs that are so far back, you'll never see cross traffic. There was a thread here a few years back about this topic, and I believe Keith (ex-LEO) said that you are required to stop at the stop sign, regardless of your ability to see cross traffic. Then, slowly inch forward until you can see. Honestly though, you'd think logic would prevail...

It seems silly to me, but then again, I think all traffic enforcement is a cash grab.

[bmwrdr]

...

It seems silly to me, but then again, I think all traffic enforcement is a cash grab.

It would require common sense to position stop signs where they serve the purpose correctly or trim trees to get a clear view for upcoming traffic. Whatsoever, for me it was cheaper to pay the ticket vs. dealing with bureaucrats. The state of California can't even pay interest on their debt anymore and they still believe this circumstance can be fixed with higher taxes and more bureaucrazy.
Their need to import real tax payers is no surprise to me.

[ninjabread]

... stopping 3 ft. past a stop sign is a traffic violation.

I'm pretty sure you'd get dinged for that anywhere, not just CA.

Perhaps but I had to pay a $120 fine for that in CA. The stop sign was just 3 ft before I could get a clear view to the main road. I explained the cop that there are bushes obstructing my view if I'd have stopped exactly at or before the sign. His simple answer was he is not responsible for that but I could bring this up to a judge at the court. Needless to say I paid and did not pursue to get my right.
I call it a rip off by ignorance of logic, common sense and in favor for their budget!
I doubt there is a police officer in Texas sowing that level of ignorance.

Have you ever heard of West U or Southside Place?