Questions concerning the need for an address

[SoulRaven]

Has anyone stealth camped in CA for 4 or 5 years though? Even registering the vehicle, getting the license in CA? Even a PO Box requires a physical address now, but other mail services are more flexible.

 

[DesertRose]

okay so the lesson there is : Never move to Arizona, it's a vehicle nightmare, &
not only because the SAND covers everything all the time including the inside of lungs... got it. Thanks !

I would never say don't move to AZ! It's a wonderful place even with its problems. I find the dust situation there far more problematic than sand, but that's mostly out in the wilderness. Dust is as bad in SoCal as it is in AZ. I didn't wear a mask at the RTR in January and paid dearly for it, but that's my own health situation (PCD). I love AZ and am really looking forward to going back. My dad took us camping at Slide Rock in the late 50's. It was completely natural back then, with a sane amount of visitors. Not sure I want to see the "improvements."

As for "vehicle nightmare," yes AZ does enforce far more than CA does. At least in PHX/Scottsdale they do. Paradise Valley has cameras everywhere. Recently they pulled over a woman who had expired tags (near 32nd and Lincoln) and towed her car. Within minutes of her passing a camera. They don't patrol anymore. They just watch the live videos and pull out for the kill. Be careful driving through PV. I was popped twice in 3 years. Tickets going 5mph over the speed limit with the flow of traffic at rush hour cost $271. If you don't pay within the allotted time (I challenged and lost both times), and go longer than say 60-90 days, your license is suspended, along with your reg and your ins. That is why PV has no property taxes. They have toll roads instead.

For the record, AZ has gotten rid of speed cameras everywhere but Paradise Valley. They do what they want.

A year ago I drove through Paradise Valley with my CA plates and flipped off every hidden and obvious camera I came across. (They hide some of them in fake Saguaro cacti.)

 

[John61CT]

It is required for registered letterbox services to collect and keep on file government photo ID for all customers.

Has been even before 9/11.

 

[thecomeup]

HUGE UPDATE.

I am going to accomplish my personal goals no matter what. I will not allow myself not to.

I am now in California, and I have been living in a bivy bag for the past 4 weeks. To be short, it really sucks...

I think I'd be far more comfortable living in a car... but I'm not sure if I could afford it (as people here have claimed that it's very expensive). I got a job here in California, and I'm making about $19k a year (working part-time so I can still attend my classes). My classes cost me $8,000 per year, so I have $11k per year left. I don't have to do much driving as everything I need access to is within a 2 mile radius (though I'd still like to live out of my car so I'm sure some driving would take place -- how much can I expect to pay in gas in a car if I'm living in Cali)?

I have a way I can cut my annual food budget down to $2000 per year. So that gives me $9,000 left.

I'm not perfect, so I'm sure I'll buy miscellaneous things/entertainment for about $1500 a year -- that gives me $7,500 left.

I'd like to take a shower at gyms (as I'm currently doing) and to have a phone plan (which are about $500 combined) -- that gives me $7,000 left.

I'm into fitness and I'd like to do my laundry every 10 days or so, that'll cost me $500 -- so that gives me $6,500 left...

Is there any possible damn way I can live in Cali, in a car, and pay for all of my yearly insurance, and gas, and repairs, and smog tests, and etc. with only $6,500 left? Being in a bivy sucks... Having to find a new spot to sleep every night sucks... Having to wipe leaves off of my face every morning after waking up sucks....

Will $6,500 cover my last few expenses? Or lets even just say $5,000 -- because who knows? Perhaps I end up spending more here and there on whim.

Can $5,000 cover my last car-living expenses? Please let me know soon...

Thanks.

 

[highdesertranger]

California is very, very expensive state to live in. CA has started the real ID thing so you are going to need a real address and a mailing address. the reason I mentioned this I didn't see that expense in your budget. CA has the most expensive gas in the nation. it's in the high 3 buck range now, some places over 4 bucks. heaven forbid if you get a ticket of any kind. CA vehicle registration is also insanely expensive. highdesertranger

 

[thecomeup]

California is very,  very expensive state to live in.  CA has started the real ID thing so you are going to need a real address and a mailing address.  the reason I mentioned this I didn't see that expense in your budget.  CA has the most expensive gas in the nation.  it's in the high 3 buck range now,  some places over 4 bucks.  heaven forbid if you get a ticket of any kind.  CA vehicle registration is also insanely expensive.  highdesertranger

I have a private mailbox which looks like a real address. It basically has the location of the store's address and then just a number, so it doesn't say PO or anything. I seem to get away with it in most places. Haven't got a car though...

I'm just so tired of living on the streets because it really really sucks, and I'm not willing to go back home and fail. This being my dream, I have to do this no matter what.

 

[lenny flank]

If you are talking about a UPS store address or somesuch, they likely won't work for an ID. The Federales have a database of all those addresses, and so do the insurance companies.

 

[thecomeup]

If you are talking about a UPS store address or somesuch, they likely won't work for an ID. The Federales have a database of all those addresses, and so do the insurance companies.

It's not through UPS but yeah it's a private mailbox... 

It looks something like:
3132 Shooans Blvd #212  <---- not my private mailbox or even a real address

I think something like that ^ could pass as an apartment or something... But maybe you're right.. I really don't know...

 

[lenny flank]

You'll find out when you renew your ID. Everyone has to be Real ID compliant by 2020.

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah CA has just started the Real ID. you need to prove you live at that address. highdesertranger

 

[thecomeup]

You'll find out when you renew your ID. Everyone has to be Real ID compliant by 2020.

Couldn't I just get my ID re-newed back in Florida where my family lives and then fly back to Cali afterwards? Maybe I just don't understand how the Real ID compliancy thing entirely works...

 

[John61CT]

Best is to ask a trusted friend or family to use their S&B residential address as if you live there.

Use that for all your gov & financial services, anyone reporting to the central computer databases like taxes, credit agencies.

But use a letterbox service as your mailing address so they get minimally bothered.

 

[RVTravel]

Couldn't I just get my ID re-newed back in Florida where my family lives and then fly back to Cali afterwards? Maybe I just don't understand how the Real ID compliancy thing entirely works...

Yes, you can do that.

 

[Canine]

I've heard for years, "REAL ID will be required by everyone by [insert date]." Then it gets postponed. Again and again and again and again. Montana is holding out from REAL ID as it is not submitting to federal overreach. Time will tell of course, but there may be states that stand by the Constitution. I don't mean to get political about this, but REAL ID may not be inevitable. (It's hard for me to identify what is political and what isn't. I apologize if I crossed the line and will correct further statements. Thanks.)

 

[lenny flank]

I've heard for years, "REAL ID will be required by everyone by [insert date]." Then it gets postponed. Again and again and again and again.

No, the deadline hasn't changed. Some states got extensions, and some made a lot of noise about how they won't comply because it's communistic blah blah blah, but all of those either have already surrendered or inevitably will in the future (people want to fly on airplanes, after all). The only ones now that are either non-compliant or have not announced that they will be compliant by 2020 are IIRC Minnesota and Missouri. So I'd plan on being Real ID compliant by 2020.

 

[John61CT]

Many states give the option of getting a REAL ID license or non.

Everyone can still use other IDs to fly, including your passport if you have that.

 

[Canine]

There have been several deadlines for various phases of implementation of REAL ID. Several over several years. Of which Montana has been non compliant and has yet to get in trouble from the federal government. Montana's driver's licenses have all the requirements that the feds want, but just isn't stamped REAL ID and is at a state level.

I see someone sneaked through a bill where Montana will implement REAL ID; however, that will be an option. I will opt to get a state issued driver's license should the REAL ID actually come about.

Even if Montana never submits to a federally made driver's license, everyone will still be able to fly on a plane as long as they have a passport. Same as always. That will get those people into federal courthouses, too. Might not be good enough for access into a nuclear plant or some such thing. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of limitation, but none that I know of so far.

State issued license + passport = REAL ID for practical purposes.

 

[John61CT]

REAL ID are still state level. Montana got an extension, will be issuing REAL ID compliant DLs in or before January 2019. Probably optional and extra cost.

REAL ID just means the state process passes Fed requirements for verification of identity, address etc, therefore it is accepted by Fed agencies, not just flying, but entry to gov real estate etc.

Passports have always been rated higher as under Fed control, no need for a DL if you carry your passport.

 

[Canine]

REAL ID is state level always, that is true. However, it has federal involvement. We've all seen how the NSA recorded (and maybe still) recording all of our texts and such. As a vandweller, I like my privacy. Am glad Montana (should they go through with REAL ID) is providing the option of a regular driver's license.

 

[John61CT]

Privacy is not a left-right issue.

In fact I know many more lefties that are "paranoid" (i.e. realistic) about both gov and corporate surveillance.

I have never associated any address where I actually live with my name in any computer database since the early 90's.

Both Mass and Conn are making REAL ID optional.