[Alan Block]

I go up regularly for visits. What the h*ll happened? Alameda used to be crap city and El Cerito was nice. Now it's backwards!

[sargenv]

Rodeo, Pinole, Hercules, and Crockett are all pretty good areas. There are bad parts of Rodeo (near the refinery) but they are usually pretty good bedroom communities. Depending on your work hours, commute to Berkeley could be 15 mins or an hour + since I80 is most congested through there. Housing prices have come down about 25% since about last year, but they are about as high as anywhere else. And you are 10-15 mins from Richmond Rod and Gun, 20 mins from USI, and about 45 mins from Chabot (with no traffic).

[GenLee]

Welcome to Californistan, and socialist hell. This must be one terrific job offer youve got or frankly, Id stay in the free state of NM.

[Ironchef]

Yep, go live down Creekside Drive in Walnut Creek like everyone else. Nice, quiet, least expensive area of Walnut Creek, picturesque, real close to everything. I've lived down there a couple times...now I live in a condo in the ****hole that is Antioch and I'm crying for not staying on Creekside! lol

Pleasant Hil is nice too, if you can get near BART. Concord near BART isn't very nice, but Concord has nice places away from the BART lines. You could also live in Martinez and save money...but you'd have to drive to BART..which is cool because the North Concord/ Martinez BART station is probably the only station you can park at after 8am and find a space! It has empty spaces most of the day.

[CCWFacts]

I must defend Berkeley. It's a great town (north of the university). North Berkeley is beautiful. There are so many good restaurants and cafes there. The city government is insane, yes, but it is a good town to be in.

I also like Oakland. Oakland gets a bad rap because parts of it are bad. But there are also some great areas to live in.

Walnut Creek is another good East Bay choice, more suburban and conservative.

[muntz]

I work for the UC system and I've seen all the pay scales. I hope you can really stretch a dollar cause dollars get spent much faster in CA than any other place I've lived. Unless this is a tenure track position I'd keep looking elsewhere, it just isn't worth it. What ever they are offering you cut it in half and ask your self if you can live on that in your current city. Also figure in tons of gas/driving and parking permits.

But alas...my sentence (wife's career objectives in CA) will be up in about 4 more years...

[Gryff]

Originally Posted by CCWFacts

I must defend Berkeley. It's a great town (north of the university). North Berkeley is beautiful. There are so many good restaurants and cafes there. The city government is insane, yes, but it is a good town to be in.

I also like Oakland. Oakland gets a bad rap because parts of it are bad. But there are also some great areas to live in.

Walnut Creek is another good East Bay choice, more suburban and conservative.

CCWFacts,

Assuming you have a CCW, how did you manage to get that with a Berkeley residence address? I ask because your signature says "you can get a CCW in California."

-Jim

[Glock22Fan]

Unfortunately, I don't think I can put things off, so I'll probably have to take the offer I have.

Take the job offer if you have to. If you then get a better job offer, give Berkley the finger. Don't feel bad about this, the reverse happened to my friend (he gave up a good job for a good offer, made an offer on a new house, told his old bosses what he really thought of them and then got a letter saying that they (the new firm) had changed their minds, please find enclosed one month's pay in compensation.)

If this happens, do us a favor. Tell Berkely that you have decided to pass on their offer because they are a load of anti-gun, un-American (fill in your own insults here).

[Gryff]

Originally Posted by Glock22Fan

If this happens, do us a favor. Tell Berkely that you have decided to pass on their offer because they are a load of anti-gun, un-American (fill in your own insults here).

Or tell them that you pass because they are inappropriately selective of which Constitutional rights they choose to respect ("Gee...we like the First Amendment but not the Second. We like freedom and democracy, but we hate the military that won those priniciples for us.").

[Jared D]

And lets not forget the attempt to run Marine recruiters out of town a couple weeks ago. After the national spotlight was on them as well as a good deal of public outrage they backed down, or at least most did. What can you say about Berkly, its a liberal mecca.

[nobody_special]

Glock22Fan, it's not Berkeley per se that I'd be screwing over, it's a specific professor; he's a good guy and I don't want to burn that bridge for good reasons.

[CCWFacts]

I'm not a Berkeley resident, and the signature says *you*, not *I*. I don't live in Berkeley but I do live in a no-issue region. My signature should be interpreted to mean a) many people in this state do live in areas where there is some issuance, but aren't aware of it and b) we can all improve issuance if we active in it. "You can" doesn't have a time frame. I don't mean to imply that there's some magical way residents of LA or SF etc can get issued. There isn't. Unfortunately, many people in the reasonable-issuance parts of this state would like CCWs but aren't even aware of them. That's the low-hanging-fruit that we should change. And for people like me, in the no-issuance areas, we need to get even more active, and work on sheriffs' elections, city council elections, and legislative elections. Lawsuits are the other option we have for making progress here. It will not be quick or easy.

[low94noma]

Berkley is making BS laws to try and curb violence...They should rather give the hard working, honest citizens a CCW to protect themselves with...Im sure some of those punks wont mess with grandma without knowing whether or not shes packing....And for a place to move, San Ramon, Concord, Walnut Creek are really nice, San Ramon is a well kept up area by far.....

[Glock22Fan]

...Im sure some of those punks wont mess with grandma without knowing whether or not shes packing....

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I challenge anyone, anti-gun or not, to show me a case where thugs have robbed a little old lady who happened to be openly carrying a shotgun.

[CSACANNONEER]

There are Federal Laws that allow you to transport your legally owned gun from where it is legal to where it is legal even if, passing through somewhere where your gun is not legal. Does that make sence? It would be like transporting a NFA registered FA weapon from AZ to OR and driving it through CA. It is perfectly legal but, there are some rules to follow.

[rkt88edmo]

Pay close attention to the comments about the salary not being as high as it seems. You should post here how much you expect to pay for rent....and here about what that will get you in different areas.

I would definitely recommend living close to BART - driving to campus is not an option - you will not find parking. The other option is to live within bicycling distance of campus if you are so inclined. BART will cost you about 5$ a day just to get to campus. So figure that in your living expenses too.

[berto]

Originally Posted by rkt88edmo

I would definitely recommend living close to BART - driving to campus is not an option - you will not find parking.

Finding parking on campus is tough but not impossible. Parking permits cost an obscene amount of money and don't guarantee a space unless you have the special Nobel Prize permit. You might be forced to wait an hour for a space to clear or give your key to an attendant at the lot.

If you live closer to campus, like Berkeley, Albany, Oakland area, you can get a staff pass for the bus for around $35 a month. It works on the trans-bay bus as well so you can go to and from SF but you'll need a way to get to and from the terminal in SF.

[dwtt]

The replies have been mostly Berkeley bashing, but noone has stated the obvious. This law of Berkeley's is illegal. CA has a law that allows only the state to ban guns, not the city or counties. That's why San Francisco Prop H was defeated in court, because it violated state law. Am I missing something here, or am I the only one to see it?

[Librarian]

Originally Posted by dwtt

The replies have been mostly Berkeley bashing, but noone has stated the obvious. This law of Berkeley's in illegal. CA has a law that allows only the state to ban guns, not the city or counties. That's why San Francisco Prop H was defeated in court, because it violated state law. Am I missing something here, or am I the only one to see it?

No, I suggested the same - but it isn't certain that it's illegal, and I think it would take a lawsuit to make that definite.

[swhatb]

[FallingDown]

Originally Posted by dwtt

The replies have been mostly Berkeley bashing, but noone has stated the obvious. This law of Berkeley's is illegal. CA has a law that allows only the state to ban guns, not the city or counties. That's why San Francisco Prop H was defeated in court, because it violated state law. Am I missing something here, or am I the only one to see it?

Naw, let the poor bastard who runs afoul of the BPD and BDA, deal with the problem. Why should anyone care?

"Nothing bad ever happens to me
Nothing bad ever happens to me
Why should I care?

A man broke into my neighborhood
He threatened a family with a loaded gun
He tied them all up and beat 'em real good
He took everything and he got away clean
And I can't believe that anyone would
Wanna do such a terrible thing
But why should I care?

Did ya hear about Fred, he's unemployed
They threw him away like a useless toy
He went down the drain after 20 long years
No warning, no pension and nobody's tears

And I can't believe that anyone would
Wanna do such a terrible thing
But why should I care?
Why should I care?

Every time I look around this place
I see them scream but I hear no sound
And the terrible things happen down the road
To someone else that I don't even know

CHORUS
Nothing bad ever happens to me
Nothing bad ever happens to me
Nothing bad ever happens to me
Nothing bad ever happens to me

Why should I care?

Have you heard about the Joneses, my, my, my
It happened so quick and no one knows why
Their teenage son, he seemed O.K.
But his suicide ruined everyone's day

And I can't believe that anyone would
Wanna do such a terrible thing
But why should I care?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQy5vKAaTuA

[CSkyhawk72]

"... nuke Berkeley"

:-D

One of the many bumper stickers on my truck.

[artherd]

CA is fantastic, don't let anyone talk you away from the 5th largest *global* economy with some of the most scenic real estate in the world.

We're making great strides on personal freedoms too.

[nobody_special]

Ok, as it turns out I am indeed moving to California. I've accepted the job. And yes, I'm award of the cost of living - before moving to NM, I lived in Santa Barbara.

I do have a few more questions; I've been trying to find this information in the CA penal code but it's a jumbled mess...

Regarding handgun registration, is it possible/legal to leave handguns with family out of state (while retaining ownership), without registering them, and possibly register them and bring them into the state later? Or would that require an inter-family transfer? Right now, I don't want to register with an anti-gun government, but I don't want to break the law either. Leaving my handguns out of state seems like a reasonable short-term compromise, if it's possible to legally bring them in later.

I'll leave my hi-cap mags out of state too, of course.

Oh, are there any bans on shotguns aside from semi-autos with box mag, or semi-autos with a pistol grip and collapsible/folding stock?

[Librarian]

Originally Posted by nobody_special

Ok, as it turns out I am indeed moving to California. I've accepted the job. And yes, I'm award of the cost of living - before moving to NM, I lived in Santa Barbara. (That was also before I owned any firearms.)

I do have a few more questions; I've been trying to find this information in the CA penal code but it's a jumbled mess...

Regarding handgun registration, is it possible/legal to leave handguns with family out of state (while retaining ownership), without registering them, and possibly register them and bring them into the state later? Or would that require an inter-family transfer? Right now, I don't want to register with an anti-gun government, but I don't want to break the law either. Leaving my handguns out of state seems like a reasonable short-term compromise, if it's possible to legally bring them in later.

I'll leave my hi-cap mags out of state too, of course.

Oh, are there any bans on shotguns aside from semi-autos with box mag, or semi-autos with a pistol grip and collapsible/folding stock?

Well, welcome to the whatever-this-is ...

Yes, your 'leave handguns out of state' plan is fine - it's when they move here, not when you move here, that they must be registered.

Shotguns? As you mention, those would be AWs; so would one with a revolving cylinder. And no 'short barreled shotguns'

(c) (1) As used in this section, a "short-barreled shotgun" means any of the following:
(A) A firearm which is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed
shotgun shell and having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
(B) A firearm which has an overall length of less than 26 inches and which is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell.
(C) Any weapon made from a shotgun (whether by alteration,
modification, or otherwise) if that weapon, as modified, has an
overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.

[rkt88edmo]

Okay this last post has finally inspired me to get rid of my xmas avatar and bring back elvis in all his glory.

ETA:New wave will never die!

[FallingDown]

The young Elvis or the fat Elvis?

[sako]

California in general, is not a good state when it comes to gun regulations.
California has the world's 8th largest economy (no longer the 5th largest).
Berkeley is a very poorly governed city and is dominated by those with leftist thinking. Also, Berkeley does have a crime problem in certain neighborhoods. There are NO gun shops in Berkeley. Housing is quite expensive, either to buy or rent. Does that mean it would be a all bad city for you......depends on your lifestyle. If you like a city with good cafe's & restaurants, independant bookstores & theaters & unique shops, good walking neighborhoods, such as North Berkeley area, Elmwood district, Claremont district. It's not a city of strip malls. The climate is quite moderate. Berkeley is home to the flagship campus of the U.C. system.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Berkeley-California.html

[Wulf]

Originally Posted by sako

Berkeley is home to the flagship campus of the U.C. system.

Hey now! Those are fighting words.

[Librarian]

Originally Posted by Wulf

Hey now! Those are fighting words.

Hey, it's the oldest campus and nearest to the Office of the President of UC (Oakland). The 'flag' is wherever the 'admiral' takes it - that's not a criticism of the other ships.

Even if they deserve it.

[yellowfin]

Some idiots way back apparently told them their thinking was welcome, and it has stayed. Good job, guys.

[nobody_special]

anotherone, thanks... though hopefully that can be forestalled when Heller is decided; presumably a lawsuit for incorporation would follow quickly.

Librarian, I've been digging in the penal code (mostly 12072, and all the exceptions to 12072(d) which are listed in 12078)... what a horrendous mess. You're right, the registration must be done when the guns are imported, but if I leave them with family (retaining title/ownership), it appears like a transfer may be necessary, or at least a handgun safety certificate.

[Librarian]

Originally Posted by nobody_special

anotherone, thanks... though hopefully that can be forestalled when Heller is decided; presumably a lawsuit for incorporation would follow quickly.

Librarian, I've been digging in the penal code (mostly 12072, and all the exceptions to 12072(d) which are listed in 12078)... what a horrendous mess. You're right, the registration must be done when the guns are imported, but if I leave them with family (retaining title/ownership), it appears like a transfer may be necessary, or at least a handgun safety certificate.

I don't see why - you won't transfer ownership away from yourself while they stay in safe custody out of state, so it won't be a transfer when you want them.

I think it'd be a whole bunch easier if you'd go back and get them yourself, though. Trying to send them by common carrier might invoke the FFL rule.

As to HSC, if you ever intend to buy any handguns here, it's required, so might just as well get it if the $$ is not critical. Could be a good intro to your local gun store; gives you lots to chat about.

[nobody_special]

You're right, I was looking at the wrong section of code... the relevant code is 12072(f), sections (2) and (4). Looks okay.

I think it'd be a whole bunch easier if you'd go back and get them yourself, though.

Oh, absolutely. I get home often enough anyway (family is in Arizona).

As to HSC, if you ever intend to buy any handguns here, it's required, so might just as well get it if the $$ is not critical. Could be a good intro to your local gun store; gives you lots to chat about.

I'm actually hoping to get anything I might want before moving to California, possibly including stripped OLL's, a shotgun (for HD since I'm leaving my handguns out of state) and maybe another handgun which I'd have to leave out of state. Money will be tight so I'll have to be frugal... but the extra cost involved in purchasing a gun in California is outrageous. (If Heller is a decisive victory, I might retrieve and register my handguns; I'll have to talk it over with my wife, who is more distrustful of government than I.)

Aside from certain handguns, are there other firearms-related items which are difficult to obtain in California that I should purchase ahead of time?

[Librarian]

Originally Posted by nobody_special

Aside from certain handguns, are there other firearms-related items which are difficult to obtain in California that I should purchase ahead of time?

A nagging sore point....

California's laws, as you are discovering, are labyrinthine, and our DOJ feckless, and our legal climate excessively litigious. Numerous out of state vendors of accessories and tchotkes, most notably Cheaper than Dirt and Sportsman's Guide, have chosen to simply not sell many things their pusillanimous legal advisers fear may some day possibly frighten some butterfly somewhere.

They haven't the courage to simply come out and state "We don't trust the legal climate in California - sorry, folks, we don't dare risk our business by selling into your state. Please get back to us when you rejoin the Union."

No, they just make up excuses and arbitrarily cancel parts of orders, enforcing from out of state things even the law makers here have not yet managed to pass.

Oh, did I mention this is a sore point?

Anyway, most things are actually available here, but possibly not at the surplus or remaindered prices you might be accustomed to seeing.

[SemiAutoSam]

Does she have a sister with the same mindset ? LOL

Originally Posted by nobody_special

I'll have to talk it over with my wife, who is more distrustful of government than I.

[FallingDown]

Why's that?

[nobody_special]

Sorry, SemiAutoSam, she doesn't have a sister. And anyway, the rest of her family is in China -- which, I think, may have something to do with why she doesn't trust government.

[DULLYJAY]

Originally Posted by FallingDown

Why's that?

Lots of varity

[shinbone]

I lived in Berkeley for 2 years for a job. Its kind of pointless to live in a town and let its political image haunt you.. Sure, its the liberalest city in the Bay Area, but whatever.. On the other end of the spectrum, Costa Mesa is the same way. It's is just very very conservative in fiscal and social aspects.

The real reason I ended up hating berkeley is because of the traffic. Its a big town that thinks its a small town. To drive 2 miles to work takes waaaaay too long taking surface streets.

If I were you Id consider Rockridge, Piedmont, Emeryville, Albany or El Cerrito, since there might be the chance the gun laws in that town might affect you, the gun owner.