Sonoma CCW story

[SierraNevadaCCW]

Originally Posted by newshooterinca

Which part? I lived there 7+ years. Ok, the 66 ticket in a 65 only happens in Scottsdale, but the rest applies to the entire Phoenix valley.

I guess my point is that I really didn't understand how low the quality of life was in Arizona until I moved to Orange County. When I hear people complain around here, or even question the cost of living myself, I think back to life in Phoenix/Scottsdale Arizona and suddenly a calm comes over me and a smile comes to my face

Okay...but think about this....equating Phoenix/Scottsdale to the entire state is like me comparing L.A., S.F., etc. to the rest of California.

Within the top 10 auto theft capitals nationwide...5 (half) are in California. Phoenix is fourth on the list. Vegas is first.

I don't dispute the governor or illegal alien problem...heck, the state has it's problems for sure. But the $1200 dollar truck registration is bull...the double insurance is bull and the weather (while not OC beach weather) is not even close. You want cold ice weather....try my town in NCal. I have arctic weather 6-8 months out of the year.

My wife and I like the cold....but we live in the coldest place in the lower 48...the Sierra Nevada. It would be nice to ride my dirt bike year round, have my gun rights, pay less at the DMV, pay less at the pump, and pay less everywhere else in a red state where my vote actually counts.

Maybe you just had a bad experience there? I've heard others complain about AZ. I was actually thinking about northern ID. My wife likes Colorado..but it's becoming too blue for me. If Nevada wasn't so freakin lame...we'd move there.

For now...I will stick with my little paradise here. I love it here. This town is awesome. It's like one big family. We all know each other...we all understand each other and if you came to my house....you'd see 360 degree mountain views. No buildings...no concrete jungle...tinsie crime and fresh air. My family from L.A. love to come here on vacation. Ha! I'm always on vacation!

[newshooterinca]

Well, regardless of everything else, both my car registration and insurance were cut in half by moving to California. That part is true and I can prove it

And yes, the problems I pointed out are unique to the Phoenix metro area, but when you consider that 4 million out of 5.8 in the state are in the Phoenix valley, it's fair to point them out.

As to having a bad experience, no, I really enjoyed my 7 years in Arizona, but I am enjoying California so much more that I wish I'd moved here sooner!!!

I will admit that the last paragraph of your post got me jealous. When I can afford it I want a place like that to retreat to whenever I want!

[SierraNevadaCCW]

I think we are way way off topic....but just to close out my "off-topic" posts...I spent many summers in Newport Beach in a condo on the sand. Great little town. Nice place to take a good run in the morning, sunbathe during the day and go out at night. Beautiful girls, nice blue water, etc.

California is vast and eclectic - and worth saving. Moving because of politics is lame. We should fight for it, so our kids can enjoy it like we did.

[Cineski]

I'm not kidding myself, just stating my point of view. Maybe you need to see more of our state, because the diversity isn't matched in any other that's so easily accessible. Like I've said earlier, I've been around. I personally dig extreme diversity with my nature. Other places have this too? Sure, but not to the same extent, and also not to the extent that you can easily escape it to my 68-78 degree all year weather of SoCal beaches. Some people like to be in 100 degree heat all the time where every day life is the same until they die. I personally think living in diverse surroundings is more important than a CCW. Some others don't. Of course I grew up in "free" land where it was -15 in the winter and 95 with 100% humidity in the summer. About 2 months of beautiful weather in a normal year.

Originally Posted by IAmASensFan

Don't kid yourself. The only thing this State really has to offer that isn't easy to find in other states is it's great weather, and you more than pay for it with all the BS you have to put up with from the corrupt govt that runs it, and the restrictions on freedom that are imposed.

I may not make the income in another state that I make here, but I also won't have to pay 750,000 for a 150,000 home, either.

Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are all gorgeous as well, and your range can easily be your back porch.

[Cineski]

Originally Posted by SierraNevadaCCW

I think we are way way off topic....but just to close out my "off-topic" posts...I spent many summers in Newport Beach in a condo on the sand. Great little town. Nice place to take a good run in the morning, sunbathe during the day and go out at night. Beautiful girls, nice blue water, etc.

California is vast and eclectic - and worth saving. Moving because of politics is lame. We should fight for it, so our kids can enjoy it like we did.

[huna koa]

Originally Posted by Cineski

Can I just ask, for the honest sake of discussion and not trying to offend, why anyone would move to another state because of CCW or gun laws? I've heard this so many times on other forums, or people in other states telling Californians to move out of state because they can't have _____ gun. I just don't get it. I want a CCW and full house AR15 in LA as much as the next person, but I wouldn't dream of uprooting myself even to another county because of not being able to have this. There's far too much to offer in this state, and I travel quite heavily around the US for work (so I have quite a good idea of what's out there), to simply move out because of gun laws. Why succumb to boredom or lack of diversity? Live where there's a pulse! This is, of course, my opinion and nothing more. I say this in all honesty, CA gun laws are very upsetting to me, but you get so much more out of life with the diversity this state offers. I don't know - I just feel on all the gun forums I'm the only one that's pro-California. And I'm in LA, which is quite notorious for it's extremes. When I hear someone who lives in Sonoma wanting to move because they can't have a CCW, which is surrounded by some of the most picturesque vineyards and country side in the world, I don't know.....I guess you can go live in the desert where it's hot and hellish and carry a concealed gun and shoot assault weapons. Don't get me wrong, that's fun to do and I love doing it, but I don't want to make a life out of it. To each their own.

you're not alone; most like me just read and post once in a while. I'm self-employed; and there is opportunity here, not only for me but for everyone else. It all depends on our attitudes and values; I'll stand my ground and more--and you do the same!!

[Rodentkiller]

I am not trying to bash the State of California as being a native of the Golden State. The reasons I moved to Nevada was the High Taxes and cost of liveing, the Liberal politics and the god awful San Francisco values being cramed down my throat every night on the news and the papers. Yes the Golden State is a good place to visit as the wine country and the forests, as well as the SoCal attractions too. What needs to be done is a reform of a system that is so corrupt as one time you get the CCW and at renewal time you are turned down and that needs to be fixed.I am not gonna ask what any one used for a "Good cause" in keeping in line with this site policy. At the risk of repeating myself try and start a petition to reform the system to "shall issue" and put it on the ballot for the people to vote on as I know that alot of people who are honest law abideing gunowners will vote for a "change" of the system so do those who live in NorCal too, I wish you good luck in getting your CCWs so that you can exercsise your 2A rights.