Mount Shasta and other small towns in No. Cal. with a hospital (Redding: fit in, transfer)

[cuaotemoc]

Hi there, I am a 38 year old single woman who loves community and the outdoors. I am a nurse and am looking to move to a small town in No. Cal. for a slower paced life. I have lived in Arcata before, loved it, but do not want to return to the rain and fog. I have been offered a fantastic job in Mt. Shasta, and I plan on accepting, however I thought it would be wise to see if anyone has any comments on either Mt. Shasta as a place to live, or if anyone has any other suggestions as to small towns in No. Cal. with small hospitals. I think that Mt. Shasta in terms of community and the award winning hospital would be hard to beat, but I thought I would put it out there. Thanks!

[CADRMNDANES]

Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, Grass Valley, Paradise, Redding and Susanville all have hospitals.

[humboldtrat]

And don't forget Quincy, county seat of Plumas county. There is a hospital there and a 2 year Feather River (community) College. Quincy Chamber of Commerce

[Swright]

Weaverville also has a hospital.

[tasmtairy]

You have lots of choices!! The town of Mt. Shasta is off of the main hwy 5, but is beautiful and if you want bigger then stay on 5 like Redding or go east to Susanville or somwhere, its all beautiful.....

[Inthesierras]

Your going to a great area. If you like outdoor activities, there are so many choices within a few hours of Mt. Shasta. Check out the state parks in that area and southern Oregon. Many parts of Northern Cal and Southern Oregon are gorgeous in October when the leaves are changing color.

[Woof]

I've actually done time in little Mercy Hospital on a couple of occasions, it's nice enough. Patients with major heart problems or injuries are helicoptered down to Redding. The community is ok, nurses seem to fit in well. It's a better and more scenic place to live than Redding, but I can't comment on other places mentioned here .... and you can always go down to Redding or up to Medford for discount big box shopping. Schools are OK from what I hear. Two very good healthfood stores, nice bookstores, a couple of decent cafes and pizza joints. Lakes, rivers, springs, PCT, desert, forests, young mountains and old mountains within easy driving distance. I've lived in the past in MT Shasta, Dumbsmuir, and Weed several years off and on. Don't get stuck in Dunsmuir unless you really, really like fly fishing and yokels.

[kettlepot]

I believe Fall River Mills has a hospital of sorts too. It may just be a glorified clinic, as I believe many cases still get transferred to Redding.

Interesting Tidbit: Bing Crosby helped raise the money to build it, back in the day when he had a ranch out that way. I believe Clint Eastwood bought the ranch from the Crosby family.

[DMenscha]

San Andreas, Calaveras County has a CHW hospital.

[prairie guy]

Cuaotemoc, I long ago lived in Weed... just north of Mt. Shasta...

You've many choices, but seems you've identified among the best in Nor Cal for what you seek. Truckee, Tahoe, Grass Valley are nice but traffic bad and housing costs worse (and growing by the day). Susanville is a thought, but a bit on the dry side of the mountains. Redding likely too dry and distant from the mountains, relatively speaking.

To really be thorough, I agree that Weaverville and Quincy are worth a long look--and I like the suggestion of Fall River Mills, pending your definition of "hospital."

Near Mt. Shasta town (which is pretty--also the most "politically progressive" of Siskyou County's cities) you might also check out Yreka if you want to be on the Oregon border--also, look at Scott Valley (town of Etna) to the west of Yreka--gorgeous area and right in the midst of the Klamath Mountains. Scott River runs through the valley and simply breath-taking (this was 20 years ago, but doubt it has changed much).

Don't think though that Etna has a bona fide hospital but likely has some sort of medical facility needing nurses--I strongly suggest to add that area to your list. All the best.