Mariposa (Fresno, Merced, Auburn: motorhome, income, living in)

[Debbly]

Hi All! I'm considering the Mariposa area. Just LOVE the space up there with the varied vegetation and that tall pines mixed with oaks. Heavenly!

Previously, I was considering Colorado Springs, Colorado, but was spooked by the water supply issues. I know California has drought concerns, and have heard about the Oakhurst uranium/water issue, but do you know if the Mariposa area has water rights/supply issues that might make water so scarce in the next few generations or sooner, like what's happening in CS?

Any other general information you could supply about living in that area would be appreciated.

[Nor Cal Exile]

Most of the residential water in Mariposa County is well water, and if you live in Mariposa town or developments like Lake Don Pedro, you have water districts. There are some properties with natural springs. Water quality varies, depending on your individual site. If you are living on a large ranch water easements may be an issue.

We lived in Mariposa county from 2000 to 2004. Our first drink of well water on our property is one of my fondest memories. My husband is a free-lance writer and only needed a decent internet connection, but his market dried up in 2002. I had a great job with the county, but it was'nt made permanent. so we had to sell our home in 2004 and move. I wish we could afford to move back.

Since then, housing costs have increased, mainly due to the growth of the new UC Merced campus, but the economy still relies on tourism. Decent local jobs are scarce. Mariposa hasn't had explosive growth like Oakhurst or Auburn, for example. Local shop owners try to earn all their income in the spring/summer so they won't starve in the winter. Plus there are folks who do weekly commutes to the Bay Area, or at least long daily commutes to Fresno.

Good Luck. It's a great place if your family can afford the rural lifestyle.

[Ingeborg]

Hi,
We are thinking of retiring to Mariposa in a few years and are planning an investigational trip there in a month or so. We will be traveling with our two dogs in our motorhome. The fairgrounds has an RV area so that is where we will stay, but I need info on dog friendly restaurants, off-leash parks and other entertainment possibilities that allow dogs.

Thanks

[Dizzydog]

What are the winters like in Mariposa? how deep to hit a well in that area?

[DMenscha]

I think you will find that most Sierra Foothill communities wells average about 400 feet as the geology is about the same. You'll have to go deeper below 1000' elevation and less as you reach 4000'.

My well is 380' deep, but the pump is about 150' down and the water level is at about 75'. I know of one guy who had a 500' well that only produced 1 GPM so he drilled another well 100 feet away and went 250' down and got 80 GPM.

Current cost to drill a well around here is about $17/foot