The biggest advantage to being able to register in Vermont is that you can get a title for your vehicle that did not have one. This then makes it much easier to transfer title and registration to your state. I doubt you would be able to keep your vehicle registered in Vermont if you have a residence in Calif. Nor will insuring be without issue when you try and insure an out of state registration, or get Vermont insurance without a Vermont address. The best advice I can offer to Californians, coming from a native, is get the hell out while you still can.
I am no longer proud to say I am a native Californian.