Englishman considering Redding, CA (San Francisco, Sacramento: to rent, crime, buying a home)

[Parkers233]

Hello all, After 6 months of researching different cities around the U.S, I think I have found a place that may be the perfect city for me to relocate to. I graduated from The University of Chester (England) with a bachelors degree in Information Technology and ever since graduating 2 years ago I have been looking at moving to the U.S. Since my last post on these forums I have stumbled upon Redding, California. I like the fact that its a small city in CA and has affordable homes. Anyway I was hoping that someone could answer these few questions that I have.

- What is the job market like for IT?
- What's the crime like in and around the city?
- I have a budget between about 250k to 350k, would this get me a nice home in the area?
- Would the city be a good place to start a family in? if not could you recommend a better one in Northern California?

I appreciate your time and help, thank you.

[Majin]

Originally Posted by Parkers233

Englishman considering Redding, CA

Why?

[wburg]

The job market in Redding is very poor for IT. It's not a tech hub by any means. The area is home to a regional hospital, but mostly it's a very working-class place, but with a growing population of retirees. It isn't entirely without its charms, and the mountains are very beautiful, but it gets very hot there (over the past weekend 108-110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius)) and it's pretty remote. Crime is slightly higher than the state average, not particularly bad. $250-350K would get you a pretty big house. Schools are adequate but nothing special: the nearest four-year colleges are about 50-100 miles away (Humboldt State, Chico State, Sacramento State.)

[coyoteskye]

there are much better options.
your budget for buying a home will limit you but if you're willing to rent, you may be happier in the bay area (closer to the coast and to san francisco and to silicon valley)
consider the central coast as well ... the area that i am in is less than two hours to the south of san francisco and san jose is just over the hill.
this whole area (from monterey until you get well north of san francisco) is very pricey in terms of purchasing a home.
but there are great advantages to being in this area (as opposed to a place like redding) in terms of jobs (tough economic times though), culture, education, natural beauty, etc.
how did you come to think that redding would be a good place?
california is such a huge and diverse state both culturally and environmentally that it's impossible to really get a sense of the state via maps, statisticss and internet information.
and i definitely would not consider buying a home anywhere until you get a really good sense of the bigger picture here. ie; until you've been here for quite awhile.
renting for a bit will allow you to do that.

[Parkers233]

Thanks for the help, I was drawn in by the beautiful surroundings and warm climate. I will continue looking but for now I will try and land a job in San Francisco.

[kiwilover70]

It is not "warm surroundings" it is down right hellish hot in the summer. I remember driving through there one July and I felt sufficated from the heat. The temperature is always at the high end of the heat range in the summer time. Pardon to those who live in the area But next to Oroville I think Redding is one of those towns I would avoid at all costs.

[Steve97415]

Well, there's plenty of midday sun and mad dogs in Redding as well. Seems like you'd fit right in.

[FlyGuy]

Originally Posted by Parkers233

Hello all, After 6 months of researching different cities around the U.S, I think I have found a place that may be the perfect city for me to relocate to. I graduated from The University of Chester (England) with a bachelors degree in Information Technology and ever since graduating 2 years ago I have been looking at moving to the U.S. Since my last post on these forums I have stumbled upon Redding, California. I like the fact that its a small city in CA and has affordable homes. Anyway I was hoping that someone could answer these few questions that I have.

- What is the job market like for IT?
- What's the crime like in and around the city?
- I have a budget between about 250k to 350k, would this get me a nice home in the area?
- Would the city be a good place to start a family in? if not could you recommend a better one in Northern California?

I appreciate your time and help, thank you.

I live in a small town outside of redding. Yes it dose get hot there, but it is only for about 3 months out of the year. I think that you would be able to land a job as a IT there if you just keep looking. The budget you say that you have to work with would land you a nice home. Redding is a nice town. There is lakes, rivers and streams near bye. And if you drive about an hour to the east you are in the mountains. If you drive about 2 hours the other direction you can be at the ocean. You don't have to live in Redding there are lot's of towns outside of Redding that would be an esay commute.
I seen you were looking into San Fran. It won't be hot there, that is for sure. But it is very expensive to live there. It is a fun place to go visit but I would not want to raise a family there. I think that your best bet you be to look at Redding more and the other areas near bye.
Good luck to you!!

[Kalifornian]

Originally Posted by FlyGuy

If you drive about 2 hours the other direction you can be at the ocean. Good luck to you!!

Now where did you get that idea? Looking at a map? I respectfully disagree! The trip via highway 299 to Eureka takes much longer than that. I've driven it and I wouldn't take that route again. It's more like five hours, driving a long, arduous two lane highway with many switchbacks at 15 miles an hour is not the same as 60-70 mph on an interstate.

[eureka1]

Eureka to Redding takes about 3 hrs and there some twists and turns but I don't recall any switchbacks. Are you sure you're not confusing 299 with 36 which DOES take five hours and hooks up with I-5 at Red Bluff,not Redding?