Considering Redding, CA (San Francisco, Sacramento, Ashland: appointed, rental, houseboat)

[star13]

Hi Everyone! After doing some research, I'm really considering relocating to Redding, CA. Several people on this site have said that the area is absolutely beautiful and that I wouldn't be disappointed, but I would like some more facts about the area from people who know the city. If you've got any bit of info or advice to offer about Redding, PLEASE HELP!! I've said this before, but books can only take me so far.... The wealth of first-hand knowledge that exists on this site is amazing!! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!!!

[Steve97415]

How do you take to REALLY hot weather (temps over 100F)?

[star13]

I actually LOVE heat! So, that won't be a problem for me.

[greatbasinguide]

Well, Redding itself is not excessively pretty, but in three directions is great country.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Worked there my first year out of college. Pretty to the north, west and east, and there are enough services to avoid having to go to a bigger city for supplies. For culture, though, you might need to head to Ashland, San Francisco or Sacramento. It's hot in the summer and can be foggy, but the weather overall is fairly mild. No public four-year college, so it's not an education-heavy area. Wages are not that high, and the overall feel is far from upscale.

[kettlepot]

Star, it would probably help us to help you if you asked some specific questions. I'll vouch for the veracity of everything said above, other than I don't think you should put too much into the fog. It's there occasionally in the winter, but not really something that impacts life in the way it does on the coast. In other posts I've said that Redding most resembles a middle to lower middle class suburb plunked down into the middle of nowhere. The town tends to sprawl because the civic mentality is absolutely wedded to an automobile oriented landscape. You can't really walk to anything, but then with the summer heat you really shouldn't. If you are an avid camper, the mountains around Redding provide lots of opportunities. Redding has always been a higher unemployment, lower wage area. Mostly, Redding is average.

[kawgpz550]

I guess people have a tendancy sometimes to just not be happy and see the GOOD things where they live.
In one direction, you have Mt Shasta. This is the most beautiful mountain you can imagine. It is an inactive volcano. If you look another direction you see MT Lassen, another inactive volcano. Gorgeous mountains all around, nice and green! If you you like more city life, Redding is the place, if you would rather a little smaller town in close proximity, check out Shasta Lake City (previously called Central Valley), Anderson or Happy Valley.
If you like snow skiing, but don't want snow often where you live, Redding is good in that respect. Mt Shasta has snow year round. If you like water skiing, you have Lake Shasta and Whiskey Town Lakes right there! Hiking, camping, canoing, kayaking, mountain biking you name it....
Redding was never meant to be an upperclass snotty city.
That's not what Redding is about. Everyone seems to forget that Redding is NORTHERN California and should not be confused with the difference in mentality in Saouthern Cali. Everyone "fits in" in Redding. And there really is nothing to "not like".

[star13]

I am definitely looking for a place that is more laid-back and liberal-minded. I want to relocate because I am tired of long, cold, gloomy, and snow-filled winters. I have decided that I am OK with snow so long as I have sunshine for most of the year and the winters are generally mild and don't last long. I also do not want to be land-locked. I liked the sound of a river running through the city and having a lake nearby. I used to live in NYC and racked up a ton of debt living there... I don't want to do that again so I would like to live somewhere where rent and cost of living is reasonably affordable. I also want to live in a city that offers a variety of things to do and has a lot of healthy options for eating. I live in Central IL now, and I am beyond tired of seeing nothing but fast food joints everywhere. I have already finished college and don't have any kids, so I don't need access to schools right now. Hope this helps to clarify.... Thanks again everyone!!

[dusesean1986]

[quote=star13;298799]I am definitely looking for a place that is more laid-back and liberal-minded. I want to relocate because I am tired of long, cold, gloomy, and snow-filled winters. QUOTE]

You've definently come to the right spot in Redding. Their are numerous liberal-minded folks. But, the winter weather is alot better than the East or Midwest. The weather in the winter is about 35 to 55, for two months, and then the high begins to rise five degrees each month. Go to weather.com and type in Redding, and you can receive the average temperatures for every month, and the average rainfall. The area is very green, and it doesn't snow. HOPE THE BEST STAR!!!!!

[star13]

Why am I getting the feeling that Redding is just perfect for me?? How are the rental rates out there for a 2BR? I've also heard about the potential of renting a houseboat out on the lake... What's the price-range for renting a houseboat? How's traffic? Is there a variety of coffee shops/cafes in Redding? ....I'm not a big fan of Starbuck's. I also would like to know if there are a lot of healthy eating options. Thanks!