Moving to California... what to do with the Miata?

Vigo (Forum Supporter) said:

There is a big reason why more people leave California than move to it,

I'm going to play skeptic on this comment. Probably because I'm in a grumpy mood today. Do you know this to be true? Because I find it hard to believe. What data or reference can you cite to support it? And are you meaning this in the general sense as in over many years this is true or do you mean in a Covid19 time frame?

The stats on that seem to be a bit of a dispute.  I have heard that it was not entirely true in previous years (but clearly people where leaving, whether it's more or not...), but may be more true currently:

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/09/23/residents-moving-out-of-california-on-the-rise/

The demographics of the people are critical though.  If a lot of wealthy people leave the state, there is a huge tax issue.  With the work from home realities (as noted in the report above), it could become more of an issue.  I would highly suspect there will be a LOT of movement out of the Anaheim area (Disneyland).

Anyone who lives in some areas of Texas, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado etc. will likely have a very different opinion of numbers...

How about going with one of those shell corporation deals? With the help of a service, you set up a corporation in Nevada or wherever and the car is titled to the corporation as an asset and registered to it. You are renting or leasing the car from the corporation and as an agent of the corporation can draw up whatever paperwork you want to that effect. Neighbors can tattle on you all they want, it's legal. *There have been some people who have been smacked down for using this scheme to avoid taxes (buy a new 50K+ RV and title it to the corp thus weaseling out of paying local sales tax) but with a low value used vehicle I can't see that happening.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

Regarding keeping it registered in SC, I advise against it.

When I moved there, the law said I had X days to register it in CA.  I didn't rush on it because I had several months left on the PA registration.  I got pulled over for a burnt out tail light bulb.  The cop was totally cool, just informing me of my bad bulb, until he saw my CA driver's license and my PA registration.  I didn't get a ticket, but darn close.

There was one other time where I got a ticket for not displaying my front-mounted registration.  I had to explain that the car was registered in PA where front plates aren't required.  The cop was "nice" and told me that my record would indicate that he gave me one week to get it registered in CA.  If I were to get pulled over after [insert date] or if a law enforcement officer ran my plates as a matter of course, the car would be impounded.

They were actually being nice in both situations.  I think the law says 14 days.  I could have lost the car or received a ticket both times.  My cousin skated by for three years out there with PA plates and license.  She just basically lied if she got pulled over and said she was just here visiting.  I'm not a good enough liar for that.  She also had big boobs which may have helped.

Big boobs solves all lifes problems....  

Sparkydog said:

Vigo (Forum Supporter) said:

There is a big reason why more people leave California than move to it,

I'm going to play skeptic on this comment. Probably because I'm in a grumpy mood today. Do you know this to be true? Because I find it hard to believe. What data or reference can you cite to support it? And are you meaning this in the general sense as in over many years this is true or do you mean in a Covid19 time frame?

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-12-21/california-population-continues-to-decline-with-state-emigration-a-major-factor

https://www.sacbee.com/news/databases/article236910698.html

I don't know the numbers. But anecdotally our elementary school (550 kids), 11 families that I know (in the 3 grades I am familiar with ) are moving away during this covid time. 2 to Montana, 3 To austin, 1 To alabama, 5 to Atlanta (lots of movie industry folks relocating from here to there).  10 of these families are caucasian, 1 is from Brasil. 

9 out of 11 of these hosues bought by Koreans for cash. Range $1.5M-$2.1M 

Sell car. Buy rust free CA car. When it come time to sell in CA as track only car from East Coast you will be very disappointed. 

This car is from California originally, garage kept and no rust. SC cars don't have rust anyway, it never snows here.

I think I'm just going to register it non-op and track it for a while, and part it out when I'm done. I'll get more from the part out than selling it here in winter, anyway. I've got the motorcycle for the PCH and Angeles forest. 

In reply to morello159 :

Look us up when you are here. I can see Angeles Forest from here....

I'm heavily biased here, but sell it and get a stock ND.

Canoe zombie thread, don't engage