Russian River - do people live there full-time...what do they do for work? (Santa Rosa: 2010)

[michaelsa]

I would love to live in the Russian River area, but I don't have skills that translate to telecommuting jobs, and I don't think I want to be a waitress, so I'm wondering if it's feasible to consider moving to the area and commuting to Sebastopol or Santa Rosa for work?

I think Guerneville might be too far out for a commute, but perhaps Forestville would be more doable? If a daily commute is possible, how long would it take? I've checked out Mapquest's opinion on this, but I've learned not to trust Mapquest. I'd love to hear from someone who actually lives in Forestville and commutes to a job in the Sebastopol/Santa Rosa Area. Also, do the roads shut down frequently because of fallen branches after storms? I know about the flood-risk in the area, but are there other things to worry about? Frequent mud-slides onto the roadways? Thank you so much!

-A

[Stacy From Cali]

When I worked in Sebastopol there were tons of people who commuted from all over western Sonoma county: Forestville, Guerneville, even Bodega Bay. Heck I commuted from Petaluma everyday and it was alright (about 45 minutes). Sometimes the roads are sketch but people take it in stride.

[michaelsa]

Hi Stacy,

Thank you so much for your reply! That's very helpful. Did your friends ever mention anything about how long their commutes took them?

[MikeG2010]

The bridge on River Rd in Forestville is 13 minutes from 101.
Center of GGuerneville is 25 min from 101.
Once every few years river rd. gets shut down due to floods, doesn't last long.
No mudslides or trees down.
Guernville takes a particular type of person to live there, I'll let you figure it out.
Forestville has many areas that don't get much sunshine due to huge redwoods.

[Roccaluma]

I live In Forestville towards Guerneville. It is about 12 minutes to 101 from my house near Berrys market. Then it is one or two miles to North Santa Rosa. I live on River Road, and it has never been shut down since I lived here. There is some work going on Between here and Guerneville. You could take three different routes from Forestville to Santa Rosa. Either go to Sebastopol, but that is slow and has lights, or go toward Sebastopol and take Geurneville Road into Santa Rosa. Or take the route I take which is River Road. So to sum up I live in Northwest Forestville and it takes me about 14 minutes to get to Northern Santa Rosa.

[Bob Parker]

Hey-Just wondering what mikeg2010 means by his Guerneville comment. Anyone?

[sliverbox]

I have a lot of friends up that way. I like the area too. Kind of a weird mix of people. Seems like its either old hippies or good ole' boys. Lots of native Californians with ties to the ag industry- mainly fruit and grapes/wine.