Redding verses Eureka

[biscuitdad]

Hey Everybody,
I've lived in Pacific Grove and 29 Palms, and visited Eureka, Mount Shasta, and up and down the coast, etc. I'm writing from Vermont and with a low of -13 forecast for tonight, I've had it. I've been researching Redding and it seems like a blast furnace. But, it does have a night life as well as job opportunities.
Dunsmuir is of course a small town, but property values are half that of Redding. Also, Dunsmuir is 2000 feet higher, so theoretically less hot. I'm into skiing, fly-fishing, climbing, etc., but will have to find a job in human sevices at some point. I guess I could commute to Redding for work but wonder if it makes more sense to commute to Dunsmuir to play?
I don't necessarily have my heart set on this region, but it seems the most affordable with the best climate. Yes?
Any ideas?

[Woof]

There are 4 small towns up in the hills about 50-60 miles north of Redding (Dunsmuir, Mt Shasta, McCloud, and Weed) which have better summers but snowy winters. Of course not as cold as Vermont, but we did have a record-breaking cold spell that went down to around 5F in the area.

Dunsmuir is to be avoided unless you're a fly-fishing fanatic, or can't afford any other place. It's in a canyon with the Sacramento River flowing through it, there are two beautiful waterfalls, there's great hiking at Castle Crags and on the Pacific Crest Trail, Mt Shasta is nearby for skiing and New Age stuff ..... BUT the people are weird, inbred and creepy. Think "Deliverance" with Burt Reynolds.

It's like living in a fishbowl, your business is everyone elses, and as a newcomer you'd be on the wrong side of the gossip. Oldtimers don't much care to have outsiders living there, unless they're dropping a lot of money in town.

Mt Shasta is the most desirable city in the area. It's at the foot of the mountain and also is near Lake Siskiyou. The headwaters of the Sacramento River originate in one of the city parks, and many people in the area use that spring for all their drinking water (the tapwater is basically the same and not chlorinated.) All kinds of natural recreation are within easy reach, and the mountain is gorgeous. The people are friendly and open to outsiders as most of them are from elsewhere, and there is a strong but slightly goofy New Age vibe there.

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by californian1979

I've been accepted at two nursing schools, Shasta College in Redding and College of the Redwoods in Eureka.

I'm from Sacramento, single with no children and would like to know which city would be right for me.

What I'm looking for is good weather, from what I've been reading on this board, Redding seems to be a hot place.
How much hotter is Redding compared to Sacramento?

Another issue that is important to me is housing.
I've looked for apartments in both Redding and Humboldt county and judging from craigslist ads, there seem to be more rentals available in Redding.

How are each city in terms of tolerance?
I'm a non-white. I don’t think this will be an issue in Eureka as this place seems pretty liberal..then again I could be wrong.

I’m a lousy cook and eat out a bit. How does each city compare in shopping and restaurants?

Decideing which city to live for the next two years is a pretty big decision.
Any information would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

It can get very hot in Redding (115+) in the summer. We have family there and we'd go to Whiskeytown Lake to waterski, so it wasn't that bad. I think that's a good school. Not sure how it compares to Eureka.

[biscuitdad]

Thanks for responding Woof Man-
What about the Shasta job market? That is too far to commute to Redding, so I'm guessing you either have to be self-employed, retired or work at the mountain.
Also, what about socializing? I'm 44, single and hetero, so how are the prospects? Any night life or social outing clubs, etc.?