Contract to start: How is Irvine, CA?

[Beiruty]

Yep, I will be signing soon to start on contract in Irvine, CA.

Never been there, what can you tell me about Irvine, CA?

Thanks..

[WildBill]

Irvine is part of the big sprawl in Orange County. It is near Los Angeles although not as congested as LA proper. The weather is very good. It is much more expensive to live that Texas. In addition to making your quarterly payments to the IRS, you also get to pay 11% of your income to California Franchise Board for state income tax. Of course, since it is in California, it is a gun free zone, as you won't have to spend so much on guns and ammo.

I wish you good luck on your contract. How long will you be there?

[philip964]

Every thing is near something. Irvine is near Newport Beach. Newport Beach is near Balboa Island. Balboa Island is really nice.
It would be where I would live if I was rich. John Wayne lived near there and supposedly had his PT boat from the movie there.

In 1986 a bungalow (900sf) not on the water on Balboa Island was about $250,000. Prices on the island have risen faster than here even with the downturn, probably that same bungalow is probably 1.5 million or more. If you can find a place to park on the island there is a walkway that goes all the way around at the waters edge, its a nice fun way to get some exercise on a nice day there.
You can also take a ferry at one end and go to the beach on the mainland. Some shops and places to eat on the island but mainly just looking at the rich houses packed tightly together. Newport Beach has sailing clubs you can join, where you can rent a sailboat by the day. While you are out there you need to see everything.

Yosmite National Park would be the first place to visit if you can get a few days off.

[The Annoyed Man]

Beiruty, I lived most of my life in California before moving here. Irvine is "OK" as far as cities go. Just part of the urban/suburban sprawl of southern California. Bill is right... You'll find the cost of living there MUCH higher than here, and you'll find that housing and other significant costs are higher in Irvine than in other cities. Large parts of Orange County are like that. There are places where the housing will cost less, but trust me, you won't want to live in those areas.

Leave your Sig 556 here. It will be completely illegal in California without significant butchery to make it California legal. No magazines for any weapon at all in excess of 10 rounds, and check to see if you now have to notify anyone if you're importing a gun into California.

Make sure you are familiar with any storage/transportation requirements for the state. They are a lot more strict than here. They have nothing like MPA. They do not have a "castle doctrine," and although I'm not sure if the state laws actually say that you have a duty to retreat in California before you can defend yourself, they often act as if you do.

The good news is that California's knife laws are a lot less strict than we have here in Texas, so you can effectively arm yourself for carry that way.

Also, JOIN CALGUNS.NET!! It is much like this forum as far as information about what you can and can't do, and its management are very involved in firearms advocacy in California, much like Charles Cotton is here.

The upside is that you're going to love the weather. The spring and summer in Orange County are going to be characterized by cool mornings with a marine layer overcast and frequent fog, with clouds/fog burning off by late morning to early afternoon, warm and breezy afternoons. Nights will be coolish, unless the hot Santa Ana winds are blowing off the deserts.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

[Beiruty]

Irvine is part of the big sprawl in Orange County. It is near Los Angeles although not as congested as LA proper. The weather is very good. It is much more expensive to live that Texas. In addition to making your quarterly payments to the IRS, you also get to pay 11% of your income to California Franchise Board for state income tax. Of course, since it is in California, it is a gun free zone, as you won't have to spend so much on guns and ammo.

I wish you good luck on your contract. How long will you be there?

Good thing, the contract is Corp2Corp and I would not have to pay income tax for state of CA!

[Beiruty]

Irvine is part of the big sprawl in Orange County. It is near Los Angeles although not as congested as LA proper. The weather is very good. It is much more expensive to live that Texas. In addition to making your quarterly payments to the IRS, you also get to pay 11% of your income to California Franchise Board for state income tax. Of course, since it is in California, it is a gun free zone, as you won't have to spend so much on guns and ammo.

I wish you good luck on your contract. How long will you be there?

2-3 weeks then I can come back and work from home. At the least this is the plan.

[Skiprr]

Good thing, the contract is Corp2Corp and I would not have to pay income tax for state of CA!

Double-check that to make sure you're certain. The State of California Franchise Tax Board is extremely aggressive...was two decades ago, and even moreso now that the state is even closer to bankruptcy.

I can't offer legal advice, but your LLC is formed in Texas but you do work in California, you may have to notify the Franchise Tax Board. Some form of state income tax may be required, especially if your LLC is configured so that you pay income tax like you would if a sole proprietor rather than a subchapter "S" corporation.

Irvine is pretty much bounded on the north and south by Limestone Canyon Regional Park and Crystal Cove State Park. Pretty much spot in the middle, and just to the north of the 405, is the residential community of Woodbridge. Though mostly single-family homes, there are a few apartment complexes in the mix that have one-bedroom efficiency units. For extended stay, that might be an option.

If it were me, the first thing I would do is locate where I will be working. Start looking for housing from there. There really aren't any "bad" neighborhoods within Irvine proper (the closest may be the industrial area at the border of El Toro to the east), but your commute time will be much improved if you're on the same side of the 405 and I-5 as your office. What's referred to as East Irvine, where the Irvine Medical and Science Complex and the Irvine Technology Center are located, is southeast of Woodbridge, and on the same side of the 405.

South of the 405 across from the Woodbridge area is UC Irvine, and much of the area surrounding it caters to the school, and house options used for off-campus student housing. Just east of the university is the other large residential community in Irvine, Turtle Rock. There is research complex south of the 405 at the point where I-5 and 405 merge, and if that's where you'll be it's worth noting that there no roads cross Laguna Canyon Road between Turtle Rock and this area. If this is where you'll be, you may be better off looking for housing around Lake Forest Drive and Laguna Woods.

There used to be a shooting range at the north end of Jeffrey Road north of I-5. Alas, I think that's closed, as is what used to be the indoor Huntington Beach Police Range where I also used to shoot. If you want to pull a trigger, I think you'll have a hike, and will have to pay some pretty steep range fees. I believe there is an indoor range in Mission Viejo, and the next closest to Irvine is probably an indoor range in Huntington Beach.

[Skiprr]

2-3 weeks then I can come back and work from home. At the least this is the plan.

Oh. Then...never mind.

Just search for extended-stay hotel options in Irvine. I know there's a Candlewood Suites just east of the aforementioned Woodbridge, and between the 405 and I-5. Something like that will be your best bet.

[cheezit]

enjoy it 2-3 weeks in cali is a wonderfull time. youll be in one of the better areas. dont forget to go to disney land :) . make a day trip up to venice beach for some freak watching too, however best best is to begone from the area by 3-4pm.

[WildBill]

Good thing, the contract is Corp2Corp and I would not have to pay income tax for state of CA!

Yes you do!

[Beiruty]

Good thing, the contract is Corp2Corp and I would not have to pay income tax for state of CA!

Yes you do!

How is that? Where can I read more on that?

[WildBill]

Good thing, the contract is Corp2Corp and I would not have to pay income tax for state of CA!

Yes you do!

How is that? Where can I read more on that?

All money earned in California is taxable, even if you aren't a resident. I suggest getting an accountant who is familiar with California taxes to help you figure it out. Since you don't have to move out there and pay the higher cost of living you still should come out okay.

http://www.ftb.ca.gov/index.shtml?disabled=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Beiruty]

I signed a Contract with Corp in AZ (Company), who had a client in CA (Customer) and I am the contracting Company (Contractor) from TX, I am paid by an entity registered in AZ who is doing business with an entity in CA. I would be only in CA for a week or 2, then I will work from home in TX. Most likely, I may not have to pay CA tax, but this has to be confirmed. I could be wrong because of the new law. I need to be 100% sure.