Getting transferred to Sacramento.... advice?

So Uncle Sam has whispered Sacramento in my ear.... While I've been to cali before, I've never lived there. I'm Oregonian native. What are the big things I should know and keep in mind moving there with my Tacoma. It is registered in OR. I have front tint to match back, lift/tires, nothing that should really get me in trouble. I should be exempt from any inspections.

How is the theft/crime in area? Should I push to get my wheel locks on? Will cops harass me since I don't comform to strict Cali law? Anyways, just looking for heads up. Thanks guys.

 

my wife's forester is lightly tinted up front. she was asked about it, but never harassed. cant promise the same for you, because i do know some friends that got the fix-it ticket.

sacramento is a cool place. big, hot, and close to the mountians. like every city, there are good areas and not so good areas. i go there often, and nothing has ever happened to me or my truck.

when are you showing up?

 

You will need more money than you think in California. The taxes are very high and likely to go up. Sacramento itself isn't that special but you are a short drive to Tahoe which has some great skiing and snowboarding. There are a lot of outdoor things to do close.

 

I am in the Sac area so Welcome! I would be a little worried about tint if you like to go out and have a beer or two or more with dinner or what not and then decide to drive home. I have avoided tinting my fronts to avoid cops bugging me however I have not heard to many stories about Tacomas being harrassed for tint.

As far as lift and tires go I would not worry about that this is Nor Cal where aggies are high in numbers and lifted trucks are everywhere.

Depending on the area of sac you are gonna live yea Wheel locks are not a bad Idea if its not gonna be garaged.

Good Luck

 

You want to try and stay away from the Sacramento State area as there is lots of traffic and there were issues with car thefts in the area when I lived there. If you go south of downtown area, keep away from greenhaven too. It's been a few years since I lived there but Elk Grove was a pretty good area to live.

 

As far as crime is concerned it totally depends on where you live. Sacramento is a pretty big city and like any big city has good and bad areas. I would definitely worry about the front tint. You can get away with it for longer if you have a V-Jay-Jay, but since you don't--good luck. CHP is worst for pulling you over JUST because of tint. Most city cops wont bother unless they are pulling you over for another violation. Housing prices vary a lot around here depending on exactly where you live.

 

And dirtbiking.

As long as you are not into riding sand dunes, then the area between Sacto and Tahoe has some of the best trail riding in the state.....IMO. The dune riding is a long drive south.

 

Oh yes...That would be what is known as North Highlands. Be afraid... very afraid. One of the worst parts of Sac. Get wheel locks.

 

I think you have like 30 days or something officially to register your truck in Cal and like 10 days to register for a new license if you move here. They dont hold to that but I think that is the written rule. I dont know what the deal will be this next year when you are required to have your truck smogged (older than 4 yrs), you may run into issues with that, maybe not though.

Traffic is not to bad in Sac compared to other areas. Certain highways and exits get bad during some times of the day, but not to terrible.

You will have to bear with our super cold winter of 50 degrees, if you can handle it.

 

He is military, does not have to register in CA.

 

What he said...my dad still lives near that "base" and works there at Mclellan still...I recommend commuting. Folsom, Elverta, Elk Grove and Fair oaks are all fairly nice places to live. Rocklin and certain parts of roseville arent too bad either. Stay away from Rio Linda, North Sac, West Sac, and North Highlands

 

Wife isn't moving here for a year, finishing school. Even when she gets here, she will NOT get a cali DL. Never had to switch yet and will not. Thank you for the advice guys. Generally speaking, which is abbetter area, noth, west, or south? I'm suspecting north will be where I look for a place first. Going to be needing a roomate for cheap rent. Should be there roughly June I expect.

 

Did you want NorCal? I heard PNW on my end, so I'm stoked. Just waiting for orders.

 

Yes, North Highlands is a shithole, so is South Sac. Sheriffs don't go without backup.

Downtown, Midtown and East Sac are awesome. There are tons of good bars and music and restaurants and other stuff going on down there, but it might not be convenient to Mc C (although your commute would be opposite the main flow). All along the north side of the American River is nice (Fair Oaks Blvd runs from Sac State to Fair Oaks), and the American River Parkway is an outstanding recreation area. South of American River ain't so hot (Rancho Cordova). Citrus Heights and Carmichael are fairly benign, and closer to Mc C.

New West Sac isn't bad, but it is mostly just suburban tract homes and a long way from Mc C. Anywhere near college campuses seems to be prone to car theft/break-ins. Like anywhere, don't tempt them by leaving anything visible inside...

As far as being pulled over, hell, I never even see the CHP. It's not like they actually enforce the traffic laws. People drive like flipping third-world lunatics on crack down here.

 

So are you going to be in the C-130 that I always see going in and out of McClellan?

Other stuff: awesome mountain biking in Auburn Ravine up I-80, great wine tasting in the Amador area of the Sierra foothills (near Placerville in the Mother Lode), about 1 hour to Napa, and 1. 5 hours to the SF Bay Area and to the crest of the Sierra Nevada. If you like fishing, boating, or jet skiiing, there are two rivers and Folsom Lake at your doorstep.

 

not sure about for 4WD vehicles, but the off highway park in prairie city (get on HWY 50 and head east) isnt too bad for dirtbikes/quads. as said before, american river bike trail is awesome, especially the ride from downtown to folsom lake and back (very nice workout). san francisco is a nice city to drive down and visit. the napa wineries arent a far drive either. you can rent tubes and float down the american river and catch a free ride back to your truck.

 

Yep. It'll be a new airframe for me but tons of places to see. The AOR is pretty much the entire pacific ocean.

Sacto was my #1 pick from the shopping list. Being from Astoria, natually I want anything PNW, but this is close enough! Now when I say #1 pick, it was my #1, but after duking with the wife it was #4. I'm an AET, so there is a smaller selection than you may have on the shopping list. Only thing better that was open was North Bend.

Obviously my orders has not been cut yet though, so things could change, but not likely. Where in PNW are you going?

 

Fyi. I'm also a photographer on the side for those who want photos, my sig pic I took. I also am working on an aerial video platform if anyone wants to do a run and have video.

 

Nice...The 130 Transition. Have fun with that man!!

 

West sac is not bad, don't believe what you hear. I grew up in west sac and also work ems here so I see all the crimes. Its no where close as the crimes in south sac, north highlands, south natomas, arden area and some other areas. It has gotten alot better. Look into area called southport. Its growing with new development, homes, shops, ect. Just an idea. But id get wheel locks anywhere I live so. Certain parts of elk grove is nice so as roseville and rocklin.

Oh id like to talk to you about the coast guard when you are here. Looking to join.