Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Coastline, mild weather, and strong job markets, at a premium price.
Driver license deadline: 10 days after moving
Vehicle registration deadline: 20 days after moving
Cities covered: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Stockton, Riverside, Santa Ana, Irvine, Chula Vista, Fremont, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Oxnard, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Sunnyvale, Torrance, Pasadena, Santa Clara, Berkeley, Carlsbad, Santa Barbara, Davis, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Palm Springs
California sits in the pacific region. The two deadlines that catch new residents off guard are the driver license update (within 10 days) and vehicle registration (within 20 days).