Interested in Alta Sierra (Brea, Auburn: for sale, HOA, crime)

[Aquaboy]

We're interested in retiring in Nevada County, Alta Sierra Grass Valley looks nice.
Anyone live there or have experiences?
Retirement is a couple of years away..thanks!

[mountainrose]

Check out the thread called "gangs and crime north of sacramento" that just got started a few days ago. It is all about that area, but not too much on retiring there.

[CarySanders]

I and my family live in the Grass Valley area and love it. I lived in Alta Sierra for a couple years - it's great. So are other areas in/around Grass Valley and Nevada City. We live on the property my wife grew up on. Her parents, who are retired, built a second home on our property, which is great to have family close by. My point is Grass Valley is great for families and retirees.

[hydro]

Oh brother, someone is trying to sell Alta Sierra as crime ridden. what a joke. newsflash- the herb growing mexican drug cartels are not growing in alta sierra or lake of the pines or lake wildwood or anywhere near any of these communities. alta sierra is a retirement community with a golf course and clubhouse, red dirt and tall pines and light snowfall. There is a hairdresser a gas station and a dog gtoomer and a little market. It is very close to auburn city limits. Some of the driveways are ridiculously steep and it can get a little icy in the winter. It is a tad bit isolated for me, I know some elderly drivers who have problems on 49 in the evening because of cataracts and the blinding headlights- there isnt a big center divider even though there are a LOT of vehicles that use the route. But I am not knocking it. There are lots of for sale signs in there right now.

[cedew]

Originally Posted by mountainrose

Check out the thread called "gangs and crime north of sacramento" that just got started a few days ago. It is all about that area, but not too much on retiring there.

If they're asking about the little town of Alta, up in the Sierra mountains, I don't think that thread applies.

[Aquaboy]

Originally Posted by CarySanders

I and my family live in the Grass Valley area and love it. I lived in Alta Sierra for a couple years - it's great. So are other areas in/around Grass Valley and Nevada City. We live on the property my wife grew up on. Her parents, who are retired, built a second home on our property, which is great to have family close by. My point is Grass Valley is great for families and retirees.

W've looked at a few places, one downside is there isnt much in the way of gyms or health clubs in the area except for the private country club, I dont golf!
Any problems with meth or break-ins?

[CarySanders]

Originally Posted by Aquaboy

W've looked at a few places, one downside is there isnt much in the way of gyms or health clubs in the area except for the private country club, I dont golf!
Any problems with meth or break-ins?

Actually, there are several gyms/health clubs in the area. These are independent gyms with equipment, classes, some with pools. Plenty to choose from.

We have about the same problems with meth that other small towns do in California. It's pretty wide-spread throughout the state, it seems to me. Overall, it doesn't really affect the quality of life and safety. Break-ins happen from time to time, too. It's more prevalent with people who grow their own medicinal marijuana. Come harvest time, like now, thieves will try to steal the plants.

So I wish I could say we were crime free, but we're not. But, honestly, we live here with our six school-age kids and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[mountainrose]

Originally Posted by cedew

If they're asking about the little town of Alta, up in the Sierra mountains, I don't think that thread applies.

No, they are asking about Alta Sierra which is a development on the outskirts of Grass Valley.

[pattygrassvalley]

I lived and worked here as a Realtor for 14 years. No crime, great area. Tons of things to do 10 min up the road to Grass Valley. Alta Sierra Country Club is a great social place. You will love it here.

[Aquaboy]

Originally Posted by CarySanders

Actually, there are several gyms/health clubs in the area. These are independent gyms with equipment, classes, some with pools. Plenty to choose from.

We have about the same problems with meth that other small towns do in California. It's pretty wide-spread throughout the state, it seems to me. Overall, it doesn't really affect the quality of life and safety. Break-ins happen from time to time, too. It's more prevalent with people who grow their own medicinal marijuana. Come harvest time, like now, thieves will try to steal the plants.

So I wish I could say we were crime free, but we're not. But, honestly, we live here with our six school-age kids and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Originally Posted by pattygrassvalley

I lived and worked here as a Realtor for 14 years. No crime, great area. Tons of things to do 10 min up the road to Grass Valley. Alta Sierra Country Club is a great social place. You will love it here.

Thanks all. Country clubs and snooty people arent our thing to be honest. I see a gym/pool center in Auburn that would work.
I like that the HOA has almost no power in AS. Dont need any cranky old people trying to ruin our lives. Alta Sierra is on our short list.