Bob Buchanan
Well-known member
builderman said:
From the responses, you pretty much get the picture on SCal -- or most anywhere in CA. I have been a CA resident since the early '60's. Was born in PA, grew up in KY did Navy time in VA, spring breaks in college in FL, took my first job in CO -- and would find it hard to compare "anywhere" I've lived or traveled to the beauty of NCal. Unfortunately, the things that drew me to CA other than my work brought tons of others and that has ruined it for all of us now.
If someone bought property at the right time, they are either property rich now (even after taxes), or have since sold and made a fortune that enabled them to buy a small mansion in other states w/lower tax bases. Very few can buy now because the prices are just too high. Even land all the way out in the Central Valley around I5 is sky rocketing as folk are having commute from that far out into the Bay Area -- and that same thing is happening in SCal for all coastal cities.
I purchased a used MH in Austin a little over a year ago -- and was given X number dollars for my trade-in. Texas did not charge sales tax on that portion of the sale price of the newer rig. Once I crossed the border (at Needles) on my return to NCal the CA tax clock began ticking. I had 20 days to register the MH in CA. Each day past 20 days there would be a 45% penalty. AND, I then had to pay 7.75% sales tax on the value of the trade in. Only two other states charge tax again on an asset that was taxed when purchased.
The "only" reason I remain in NCal vs. moving to AZ, NV, or TX is the Kaiser HMO plan. The more I look for an alternative, the more I am reminded that it is probably hands down the best HMO in the country -- in that others would cost me much more plus I would have more grief with any other plan (e.g. Kaiser Dr's make all decisions of referrals). Close friends that were Kaiser members and have moved out of state who have researched this are in agreement. I recently spent 3 nights in a hospital in Avondale, AZ due to an emergency w/a total billing of over $10,000. Kaiser approved the emergency nature and covered all expenses other than a $550 total co-pay for the 3 day room stay.
If you "do" find land in SCal far enough away from the high expense areas "and" suitable for RV living -- I would suggest locating where the buyer can get to a Kaiser facility. Some will already be in other plans, but having the ability to join Kaiser would be a selling point, for sure. That "would" be a selling point for me. From Quartzsite, AZ or that area a member would have to drive to the Palms Springs area -- and about as far West on the 8 freeway from Yuma to a Kaiser hospital. From Reno, one must drive 100 miles or so to Roseville. That's OK for check ups, but if regular appointments are needed it becomes prohibitive with gas prices approaching $4.00 (saw that price in Needles recently).
When I was younger I had a one bedroom apartment in a high rise overlooking the SF bay and the apartment tennis courts -- at $290/month. Life was good. Those are now condos at over $1,000,000 -- plus one is surrounded by SF politics.
If Kaiser moved to NV, AZ, and TX -- I could almost guarantee a mass exodus from CA and my rig would be way up front in the caravan. 
