Help!! McArthur/Fall River Falls/Burney (Redding, McCloud: RV parks, real estate, rentals)

[slcajt]

I was offered a position focused in McArthur, CA. I am married with two small children. Can anybody tell me what these areas are like? Is it even possible to find a rental for a while? Health Care? etc. Any information would be great. I've never been to any of these small towns. Also, are they really that small? Or just spread out and rural? Please help, I have no idea to accept. The pay is great, but need to know more.

Thanks

[wburg]

They are really, really, really small places, far from just about anything. The nearest city is Redding, population about 80-90,000, down a snakey mountain highway (Hwy 299) and it's about an hour and a half away in good weather. The nearest hospital is in Redding, probably the nearest mall too. Here's a link with details on McArthur:

McArthur, California (CA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news

Population is about 400 people. Average income/home value about one-half to one-third California average.

Here's the scoop on Burney:

Burney, California (CA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

Burney's population is around three thousand.

Fall River Mills:
Fall River Mills, California (CA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

About 700 people there.

In general, we're talking about one of the least populated areas in California. The Modoc Plateau is to the east, the Cascade mountain range to the west. There's some breathtaking natural scenery, and if your interests include camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, or other outdoor activities, it might be paradise. But your shopping and dining options will be pretty much limited to driving an hour or so to the nearest Wal-Mart, and choices for educational institutions and medical facilities sharply limited indeed.

[DMenscha]

good post wburg, but many of us find the distance away from all the things you mention a plus and not a minus.

[volleyballer]

Originally Posted by slcajt

I was offered a position focused in McArthur, CA. I am married with two small children. Can anybody tell me what these areas are like? Is it even possible to find a rental for a while? Health Care? etc. Any information would be great. I've never been to any of these small towns. Also, are they really that small? Or just spread out and rural? Please help, I have no idea to accept. The pay is great, but need to know more.

Thanks

I personally love the area. I grew up in the Cascade mountains, and played sports against Fall River and Burney. Mc Arthur and Fall River make up Fall River High and Burney has its own school. You have to plan your shopping trips to Redding, and probably get one or two 4 wheel drive vehicles, but your kids can only get in so much trouble in the small communities. Everyone, knows everyone, and you will hear about most things your kids do.

I would move to a small mountain town instantly, no questions asked, if the pay was good, and it sounds like it is. The towns you mentioned are small and spread out. They're in the mountains, so it's not a bunch of farms, but there are farms around.

You'll probably have to look up the local newspapers, and see if they have their classifieds online. That's probably your best bet for rentals. Or post a classified yourself in their papers.

There is a very large good o'l boy population over there. That can be good or not so good, depending on how you look at it. Diversity is pretty minimal. I remember there was one African American guy on the Burney basketball team. I think he was the only one in the whole Burney, Fall River, and Modoc area. So my suggestion is to certainly introduce your kids to culture as much as possible because they won't see it in the neighborhood or possibly at school.

With that said, I still say go for it!

[Inthesierras]

Fall River Mills has a small hospital and clinic. Its not too far from Burney. Burney is out there, not much around. There is a Safeway, Subway, other little restaurants. Some of the little restaurants aren't open in the off season, they cater to the summer crowds. If you enjoy the outdoors, then you are in luck. Burney Falls, Lake Britton, Pit River, Hat Creek, McCloud, etc are really close for fishing, hiking 4 wheeling, etc, etc. Burney is so small that if you call a Realtor, they can probably hook you up with the current rental list. Also talk to the people where you will work. Everyone knows everyone and you never know if they can tell you who has a rental available.

It can take some getting used to when moving to a small town. Get your fire wood or pellets during the summer, you will need a few cords for the winter. Pellets go fast and can be sold out for up to a week. Depending on your home size and how warm you need your house 2-3 cords should work. FYI with the way oil and propane are going up, try to find a home with a wood stove or you might get some outrageous winter heating bills. Also, when the power goes out (and it will), you can still heat your home with wood. Stock up on ice melt BEFORE winter. Also, buy a few winter shovels. There is nothing worse then breaking a shovel and not being able to replace it because the hardware store is sold out.

I suggest that you do the bulk of your shopping in the good weather. Stock up at the lower priced grocery stores in Redding (Winco, Costco, etc) so that when the roads are HORRIBLE in the winter, you won't need to drive out of town for supplies. The road to Redding can be really dangerous in the winter with black ice and people driving way too fast on the curves. Its easy to supplement what you need at Safeway, even though they are expensive.

I don't live in Burney, we have many friends that do. We are southeast of Burney in Lassen County.

[Firecaptain9]

McArthur is right next to Fall River Mills.
Big Lake,is a fairly large lake, with 9its only access through McArthur.
McArthuris located about 1/2 way between Redding and Fall River Mills.
Because of this there is a 120 bed hospital there.
There is a decent size airport, for private planes, an occassional Lier Jet lands there. Clint Eastwood owns the old Bing Crosby Ranch nearby.
It is a Fishing and Hunters paradise.
there are a few resturants and a decent size grocery store there and well as a wel stocked Ace hardware.
House is cheap by Californis standards. there is a County Fairgrounds in McArthur with many activities and Heavy 4H activities for kids.
School rooms are at about 17 kids per teacher, well below Ca. average.
There is a theater in Fal River Mills (4 miles from McArthur), Fall river High School is in McArthur.
Agriculture and ranching are the main employers currently, in the past it was a logging community as well.
There is a Mobile home park and 2 RV Parks in McArthur.
there is City water but only septic systems, Fall River Mills has sewer service as well as water.
i have fished in Big Lake in the summer and ice Scated on it in the winter.
Waterskiingis good both on Fall River and on Big Lake.
Beautiful area, ecnomically a bit depressed comparred to most of California.
Pit River flows through McArthur, nice Cat Fish and an occassional sturgin.
bob

[B to the T]

Burney Falls... great place to camp... that's it

[acassity]

Did you get a reply? I am new to city-data forum and just read your request for help in the area. I live up here- real estate agent and do property mangement. Rental market can be very tough. Do you still need help? I a happy to tell you about area , though I realize I'm months late seeing your post! sorry. allison

[merrilywegoalong]

"McArthuris located about 1/2 way between Redding and Fall River Mills."huh??? no its not....

[mesteach]

Fall River and McArthur are a couple miles apart, approx. 67-70 miles east of Redding. The hospital, Mayers Memorial, is located about halfway between FR and McArthur. Burney, 17 miles west of FR/McArthur, had a busy clinic and an "annex" to Mayers Memorial.