Moving to California: What Newcomers Should Know About Climate, Costs, and Moving Day

California weather and the best time to move to California

California is the most populous state, with about 39 million residents according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. It is also long and tall enough to hold beaches, farm valleys, deserts, and ski mountains, so the weather depends entirely on where you unload.

According to NOAA's state climate summary, summer is the dry season and winter storms bring much of the year's rain. Totals vary enormously, from less than 3 inches a year in Death Valley to more than 100 inches near Eureka in the northwest.

The bigger divide is coast versus inland. The Pacific keeps coastal temperatures mild all year, while inland areas see a much wider range, with hot summers in the valleys and deserts and heavy snow in the high Sierra Nevada.

• Coastal metros. Movable all year. Summer is the busiest season, and winter brings the rain
• Central Valley, Inland Empire, and deserts. The best time to move to California's interior is October through May
• Fall. Pleasant on the coast, but the most destructive wildfires tend to come after the summer dry season, often driven by Santa Ana winds in Southern California. Smoke and road closures can change plans

Where people moving to California settle

• Greater Los Angeles. A huge region spread across Los Angeles and Orange counties and into the Inland Empire. Dozens of cities, long commutes, and every kind of housing
• San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Silicon Valley. Hills, dense older neighborhoods, and very high home prices
• San Diego. A coastal city near the Mexican border with mild weather
• Sacramento. The state capital, with hot summers and lower prices than the coast
• Central Valley. Fresno, Bakersfield, Stockton, and Modesto. Farm country, often more affordable than the coast, with hot summers
• Central Coast and the north. Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and the redwood country beyond the Bay Area

Deciding within Southern California? See Los Angeles or San Diego: a mover's view.

California cost of living and tax basics

California cost of living comes down to housing. Coastal home prices and rents are very high, and that single line outweighs everything else in the budget.

• Income tax. California uses graduated rates. According to the Tax Foundation, the top rate is 13.3 percent, which applies to income of $1 million or more
• Sales tax. The statewide base rate is 7.25 percent, the highest state-level rate according to the Tax Foundation. Local district taxes of up to 4.75 percent are added on top, so combined rates pass 10 percent in some cities
• Property tax. Under Proposition 13, the basic rate is 1 percent of assessed value, and annual increases in assessed value are generally capped at 2 percent until the property changes hands or new construction is added. Voter-approved local bonds can add to the bill
• Utilities and insurance. Ask for a year of utility bills. In wildfire-prone areas, confirm you can get homeowners insurance before you buy

This is general information, not tax advice. Confirm current rules with the California Franchise Tax Board and talk with a CPA about your situation.

California driver license and vehicle registration for new residents

California gives new residents only a short time: 10 days after establishing residency to apply for a California driver license and 20 days to register vehicles. Everything runs through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

1. Check your vehicle first. Before you register an out-of-state car in California, ask the DMV whether it needs a smog check, since many vehicles do
2. Make DMV appointments early. First-time applicants need a field office appointment, and slots are often booked weeks out
3. Apply for your license. Bring proof of identity or legal presence, your Social Security number, and proof of California residency, and expect a knowledge test
4. Register and title each vehicle. Bring the out-of-state title or lienholder information, your current registration, and a smog certificate if one is required

Deadlines, fees, and document rules change. For any California driver license new resident question, the DMV website is the final word.

What moving day in California is really like

• Traffic. Los Angeles and Bay Area freeways are congested for much of the day. Crews plan arrivals for mid-morning and avoid the evening rush
• Hills and narrow streets. San Francisco, the Oakland hills, and the Los Angeles canyons have steep grades and tight turns. A tractor-trailer often cannot reach the door, so a smaller shuttle truck finishes the trip
• Parking permits. Many cities require a temporary no-parking permit to reserve curb space for a moving truck. Apply well ahead of move day
• Building rules. Apartment and condo buildings usually require a reserved elevator, set move hours, and a certificate of insurance from your mover
• Stairs. Hillside homes and older walk-ups mean long carries. Tell your mover exactly what the path looks like
• Heat inland. Summer moves in Sacramento, Fresno, Riverside, or Palm Springs start at dawn
• Plants. Houseplants rarely survive days in a truck, and some may be restricted. See what movers will not move

How a long-distance move to California works

Our long-distance moving service is quoted as a flat rate based on distance, your inventory, and any added services. Allpoints is family-owned, based in Metro Atlanta, and works as a contract carrier for one of the biggest van line moving companies in the country. That is what makes a coast-to-coast move possible and affordable.

1. Inventory and quote. We go through what you are moving and give you a free, no-obligation flat rate
2. Booking. Reserve 3 to 4 weeks ahead, and earlier for summer or end-of-month dates
3. Packing. Pack yourself or add our packing service, with boxes, paper, bubble wrap, and tape included in the quote
4. Access check. Tell us about hills, stairs, parking, and building rules at the new address
5. Delivery. A cross-country shipment arrives within a delivery window, not on a single day. Carry what you need for the first week or two

Our cross-country moving timeline lays out what to do and when. When you compare long-distance movers to California, ask whether the quote is a flat rate and how a shuttle truck is handled.

First-month checklist after moving to California

• Get a smog check and register your vehicles
• Apply for your California driver license
• Update auto and home or renters insurance
• Register to vote and file your change of address
• Put together an earthquake kit and learn your wildfire evacuation routes

Also looking farther up the coast? Read moving to Washington State. When you have a date in mind, request a free quote or call (678) 886-0944.