Question for those who live in California

[jmc]

As luck would have it I just received my WA property tax bill.

Washington tax bill is now over 20k ($20,304.35)

It just might be prohibitively too expensive to leave California after all.

Ugh. IIRC, Washington State has no State income tax, so maybe they have to make it up elsewhere. (Are WS sales taxes high too?) Doesn't seem fair to out of state property owners unless there's an exemption of some sort.

 

[jyoutz]

The issue with California is there really is no reason to use the "safe passage" act from saving your butt if your "driving through" the state, one part due to it's sheer size, and the other is you're either coming from Mexico on one heck of a long drive north, and if you're going west, you're going to hit the Paciffic ocean.

The other reality is even if your right and within your legal right to travel through a state with a firearm, doesn't mean they still can't arrest you and make your life a living heck.

I ALWAYS went out west with a gun. I would never be so stupid to be an out of state resident with a firearm in California, particularly with out of state plates.

No different than NY, Massachusetts, Jersey or Maryland.

Now Western Maryland is interesting, and perhaps like a little bit of California where we stayed when it comes to guns.

I do know when I went up 81 from NC to Pa, for that 15 minute drive through eastern Maryland I'd unholster everything, lock it up, then re holster when I got out of the state. Took longer storing and locking everything up and then getting everything out than the drive through the state took. That said, no way was I going to get into a car accident (not planning on being my fault LOL) and have a gun on my possession.

I simply don’t worry about the different state laws. I have a CCW permit for my state, but when I vehicle travel, I just slip the gun under the seat. The likelihood of being stopped and vehicle searched is very slim. I’ve been driving for 48 years and have yet to be vehicle searched. If it’s needed for defense, I’d rather have it and worry about any legal issues later.

 

[scootr]

As luck would have it I just received my WA property tax bill.

Washington tax bill is now over 20k ($20,304.35)

It just might be prohibitively too expensive to leave California after all.

My property taxes are locked in (1978 CA proposition 13) and cannot go up more than 2% per year. I started paying $3k a yr 25 yrs ago. It's up to 4k now or $11 a day. by the way 20k is $55 a day rounded up.

 

[ericm979]

I do remember on my thread I started asking for advice on what to do on our trip to the Sierra Nevada's, and remember perhaps some people noting on moving out of the state (and I need to revisit that thread), but exactly what sucks about California's state tax on estates and inheritance taxes that would make people move out of state just for that reason?

As others answered, the 40% state estate tax thing is wrong.

All the people I know who moved out of CA did so because the greater SF bay area (where I have lived most of my life) got too expensive for them. It's a huge long standing problem and there's little movement on fixing it. Too many people want to live here and can afford to pay what it takes.

 

[scootr]

As others answered, the 40% state estate tax thing is wrong.

All the people I know who moved out of CA did so because the greater SF bay area (where I have lived most of my life) got too expensive for them. It's a huge long standing problem and there's little movement on fixing it. Too many people want to live here and can afford to pay what it takes.

Same reason I don't drive a Lambo... So what's the problem?
No problem, I don't even want a Lambo or an overpriced home in SF valley. lol

 

[ultrarunner]

As others answered, the 40% state estate tax thing is wrong.

All the people I know who moved out of CA did so because the greater SF bay area (where I have lived most of my life) got too expensive for them. It's a huge long standing problem and there's little movement on fixing it. Too many people want to live here and can afford to pay what it takes.

Vacant units and depressed prices are cause to fear more defaults in cities like SF...

 

[grsthegreat]

Essentially, per California's laws if you own a handgun it will have to stay in your house, locked up and out of reach. You WILL NOT be issued a CCW so you can carry. Self-defense is NOT considered a reason to need to carry. DON'T be caught with it in your vehicle. You WILL be arrested, lose the gun, possibly your vehicle, and your freedom for a while. UNLESS you are a criminal with a long criminal history, then you'll be released right away.

Nevada residents like me - living close to California - are warned to make sure we remove any firearms from our vehicles if traveling to California. California Highway Patrol officers know that most Nevadans have firearms in their vehicles so if they stop anyone with a Nevada license they will check for firearms.

I make sure I stay out of California.

My brother has a ccw in northern calif, depends on county. But he cant travel to los angeles with it concealed.

 

[plowhog]

There are so many reasons and descriptions why I left CA that it would be impossible to fit here. Maybe instead summarize that moving to Northern Nevada was a very good decision we are quite pleased with.

Just one example, are others aware you need a government issued "permit" to purchase a box of ammo? In addition to the regulations and description below, I have been told that you can only purchase handgun ammo in the caliber that your REGISTERED handgun is chambered for. So if you own a .38 that was inherited from grandpa, unless you register it with the State, you cannot buy any .38 ammo any more.

From the linked article:

California voters had in 2016 approved a ballot measure requiring gun owners to undergo initial background checks to buy ammunition, and pay $50 for a four-year ammunition permit.

Legislators amended the measure to require background checks for each ammunition purchase, starting in 2019.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/california-ammunition-background-check-law-can-remain-effect-court-rules-2024-02-06/

 

[plowhog]

Maybe one more Nevada vs. California comparison:

A few years ago, we built a luxury residence in Nevada, over 5,000 sq ft. Brand new construction-- building permit cost was $3,100.

I am currently considering whether or not to build a 1,200 sq ft residence in California. Less than 25% of the size of our Nevada home. Building permit cost in CA is $16,000, which is a "bargain" since it is an "ADU" onto an existing property (accessory dwelling unit.) Common term used here is a granny flat.

Had we considered building the same luxury residence in CA, the base building permit cost would be $40,000-- before they started adding requirements to improve local access roads, etc. I did not get too far in the process but estimated the administrative and permitting costs, all in, would be nearly $200,000.

The fees are ... what they are ... my reason for leaving CA was how that money is then used ... which involved spending it in ways that I do not agree with.

 

[DarkBlack]

Yes, large California stores will be fined if they don't have a gender-neutral toy section

Under a new California law, retailers that sell toys will face up to $500 in fines if they fail to offer a gender-neutral toy section in their stores.

www.verifythis.com