Why am I even considering California?

[Lennyjoe]

Ok folks, I've been a busy bee for a while and haven't been back to APS for a bit but I have to ask for some intel....

A part of my career progression to Program Manager may be by way of Palmdale California.  I'm currently working for Northrop Grumman and there is a high probability that I can progress into the PM career field by getting a position in that area.  I'm not happy with the job I'm doing anymore and now that I've completed my Masters in Science, Project Management I'm looking for advancement.

So.........why should a single man with plenty of EBR's not go to California?  Need some good hard intel on what I'm to expect from that location versus what I'm accustomed to in Arizona.   I know anything Class II or over 10 rounds is no bueno but I'm not sure about taking AR's with me. 

[K Frame]

Hum...

I'd say your biggest problem is your employer.

[Jamisjockey]

The upside to Palmdale is it's in the desert.  You can do all the desert fun stuff like shooting in the middle of nowhwere, off-roading and what not.  Otherwise, it's still Californistan.  If it's a temporary assignment for up to a couple years, then maybe why not? Keep your real good toys in a safe in storage in AZ or something.  But otherwise, *expletive deleted*ck California.

[Ben]

Good to see you pop in again Lennyjoe!

If you make the move, you could look at getting your residence in Kern County. It wouldn't be much of a commute (maybe even faster with traffic considerations) to get to work versus being in LA county. Kern County is pretty much "shall issue" and I think has the most CCWs of any county in the state. Also as Jamis mentioned, plenty of desert to shoot in, and close to the Eastern Sierra for hunting, fishing, etc.

The bad news would be importing guns. Governor Jackass just signed a new bill yesterday that requires all firearms imported into CA to be registered through an FFL, beginning JAN2015. I'm not sure of the full consequences, but the text is below. You might want to jump over to Calguns and peruse the political forums for more info on bringing firearms into the state. Regardless, if it were me, I'd probably want to keep my main stash out of the state, especially for a term assignment.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_1601-1650/ab_1609_bill_20140819_amended_sen_v96.pdf

[Tallpine]

The upside to Palmdale is it's in the desert.  You can do all the desert fun stuff like shooting in the middle of nowhwere, off-roading and what not.  Otherwise, it's still Californistan.  If it's a temporary assignment for up to a couple years, then maybe why not? Keep your real good toys in a safe in storage in AZ or something.  But otherwise, *expletive deleted* ck California.

Worse yet - it's still in LA County 

Otherwise, it seems like a nice area if you like desert.

It's too damn bad that the coast from SD to SF can't break off into its own little socialist hell 

[Ben]

Worse yet - it's still in LA County 

Kern County is literally 14 miles from the airport.

[Tallpine]

Kern County is literally 14 miles from the airport.

Is there anyplace out there to live ...?   



I just remember an article from a couple years back about folks living out on acreages on the back side of the mountains being hammered for stuff like having too many cars (like more than 1 or 2) parked on their land. 

[Ben]

Is there anyplace out there to live ...?   



I just remember an article from a couple years back about folks living out on acreages on the back side of the mountains being hammered for stuff like having too many cars (like more than 1 or 2) parked on their land. 

There's a bunch of little "5 acres and a house" places, and I think a few housing tracks close by now. Lots more a little farther away. When I was going go to Dryden for work stuff years ago , some of the guys there said they were doing 30 mile commutes to be closer to services, which is not all that much driving time on desert highways.

I would guess the people getting cited or whatever were the people living off Pearblossom Highway and vicinity, which is still LA county, but far away from LA government (except when they send their inspectors out to make trouble).

[Lennyjoe]

I'd definitely be interested in the "5 acres and a place" and the commute wouldn't be bad.  I drive 15 minutes each was as it is now.  If that keeps me out of LA county, its a plus.

Mike,  so far NG has been good to me.  Not sure abut AS sector, but TS and ES sector have worked out well for me in the last 7 years.  

Jason, its a foot in the door to Program Management.  I'd like to do about 2 years with the company there and try to exit Komifornia as soon as I could after that.  As for the toys, I'd keep the EBR's and suppressed stuff with my son in Arizona who is on the trust.  I'd take my pistols with 10 or less round magazines and a hunting rifle or two but the AK's and AR's may have to stay behind.

Ben, I'd make it behind enemy lines before the end of this year if they make me an offer.  Won't move unless the offer amount is substantially higher to offset the cost of living in Kali.

[Ben]

Ben, I'd make it behind enemy lines before the end of this year if they make me an offer.  Won't move unless the offer amount is substantially higher to offset the cost of living in Kali.

That would be a good thing, because the DROS fees in CA aren't cheap. You might be able to find some reasonable deals in Kern County, like in the $25 per firearm range (it's around $100 per where I live), but it can add up in a hurry if you bring multiple firearms in, plus you end up on a registry, even after you leave.

Though honestly I have no idea of how they will enforce these new regs. My local gun club tells all the members "we're not here to check that you have CA legal firearms. We don't care. We only care that you shoot safely and obey the club rules." Several of the staff are current and former LEOs. So I guess take that general attitude for what it's worth.

Also, I think you're in TX now? If you find something in Kern County, it's one of the least expensive places in CA to live, so you might not see much of a difference from where you are now.

[MechAg94]

Kern County is literally 14 miles from the airport.

How far is it figuratively? 


 

[Ben]

How far is it figuratively? 


 

[Lennyjoe]

Currently in Arizona.

Just found out that the job I interviewed for in San Diego was a no go.  Now I have either Palmdale to consider or Baltimore......which isn't much better.

[Tallpine]

Currently in Arizona.

Just found out that the job I interviewed for in San Diego was a no go.  Now I have either Palmdale to consider or Baltimore......which isn't much better.

San Diego was awful IMO 

[Jamisjockey]

Currently in Arizona.

Just found out that the job I interviewed for in San Diego was a no go.  Now I have either Palmdale to consider or Baltimore......which isn't much better.

At least with Baltimore you might be able to live outside of occupied Maryland.  Depending on where the actual job site, Pennsylvania is 35 miles from Baltimore.

[Tallpine]

Kern County is literally 14 miles from the airport.

14 miles or Highway 14 ?   

Or, 14 on 14 ... 

The map shows a couple little towns up there just over the border.

[Lennyjoe]

Looks like Rosamond is just north of the county line. 

I agree with Penn being an option Jamis, but the location is right next to BWI so either Penn or Va would be about a 30 minute + commute.

[charby]

Sometimes you have to go where the best job is, even if you don't like the area or the laws. It is not like you are going to live in that place forever, pay your dues and move to a more desirable location when the opportunity presents itself.

[Lennyjoe]

Wise words my friend. Exactly what I'm thinking too...😉

[K Frame]

Glad that N-G has been good to you, Lenny,

I've worked extensively with a large number of N-G people over my career, and for the most part I can't say that I'm impressed with either the company or the employees with whom I've worked.

[Tallpine]

Looks like Rosamond is just north of the county line. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosamond,_California

Looks like that might be a viable rental option for you.  I was thinking that it might just be an exit with a gas station and a couple trailer houses.  Might not be a bad commute, but 14 down to 5 is a nightmare.

Glad that N-G has been good to you, Lenny,

I've worked extensively with a large number of N-G people over my career, and for the most part I can't say that I'm impressed with either the company or the employees with whom I've worked.

Unfortunately, I would have to say the same about every aerospace outfit that I've worked for 

Sometimes there are some really good people, but overall I wonder how any of them manage to stay in business 

[Sawdust]

Good to see you pop in again Lennyjoe!

If you make the move, you could look at getting your residence in Kern County. It wouldn't be much of a commute (maybe even faster with traffic considerations) to get to work versus being in LA county. Kern County is pretty much "shall issue" and I think has the most CCWs of any county in the state. Also as Jamis mentioned, plenty of desert to shoot in, and close to the Eastern Sierra for hunting, fishing, etc.

The bad news would be importing guns. Governor Jackass just signed a new bill yesterday that requires all firearms imported into CA to be registered through an FFL, beginning JAN2015. I'm not sure of the full consequences, but the text is below. You might want to jump over to Calguns and peruse the political forums for more info on bringing firearms into the state. Regardless, if it were me, I'd probably want to keep my main stash out of the state, especially for a term assignment.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_1601-1650/ab_1609_bill_20140819_amended_sen_v96.pdf

This only applies to California residents.

People who move to California only need to file a form and pay $19.

ARs must be neutered appropriately, however.

Sawdust

[Lennyjoe]

I have a post ban Olympic Arms PRC with an unthreaded barrel.....can I remove the flash hider that is held on by set screws and be legal?

[Balog]

Lot of problems with CA aside from the stupid gun laws. Taxes, rolling brownouts, drought and illegals (although those are shared by AZ), general nanny-statism gone wild. But, I would definitely go there before I went anywhere near the gigantic festering pile of ebola laced dog sh*t that is Baltimore.

[Tallpine]

In your situation, I'd be tempted to get a house in NV or AZ, and get a small RV to live in M-F