Yreka or Susanville (Sacramento, Bakersfield, Stockton: apartment, daycare, school)

[mamayogibear]

Which town would be better for a single mother raising young children? I grew up in rural CA between Kings Canyon and Yosemite but am planning on going to LPN school. However I can not stand the central valley so Yreka and Susanville are the only towns with LPN school that are not in the valley and are affordable.
I hope to find an apartment for around 600 or 700 a month and work part time while in school. Neither of these locations are near Whole Foods or Trader Joes so another smaller natural food store would be good. I like the way Yreka is close to Ashland where there are cultural activities and the large university, but Susanville is almost two hours from Reno. I like spending time outdoors and would prefer to live in town so I can bike to school and work instead of driving.
What are the pros and cons of both of these communities? Has anyone lived in both locations and can compare them? What is the weather and economy like (anecdotal not stats please)?
Thanks

[.highnlite]

Not much reason to go to Reno, that I can think of. If you are a hiking camping person, Yreka is close to some grand country. Susanville is more rolly woods with the Nevada empty land to the east. I'd probably take Yreka, I like Ashland, and wild rugged mountains.

[Ruth4Truth]

I'd choose Yreka, it's closer to the coast. Off the top of my head:
Yreka would be rainier, because it's technically part of the Pacific Northwest. But you'd be around redwood trees, it would be very scenic, and would have more amenities than Susanville.

Susanville is very hot and dry in the summers, and far less lush, with the Nevada desert to the east (very close by), and Mt. Lassen just to the West. I haven't been to Yreka, but Susanville is a very small town. I would choose Yreka.

[mamayogibear]

Does anyone know about child care in these areas? Are centers accessible, open early mornings?

[Curmudgeon]

State of Jefferson vs. upper Sacramento Valley. I'd opt for the former.

[.highnlite]

It is all in the liberal paradise of Eco Topia,, No redwoods in Yreka, nice timber but too far inland for redwoods
Yreka is probably not rainier than Susanville, at least not to any great extent.
Yreka is in the Klamath River watershed, very nice country. I'd go a bit west, Fort Jones or Etna.

[BeauCharles]

I'd choose Yreka. Susanville can be a bit... ghetto. Sort of like a little piece of Stockton or Vallejo on the edge of the high desert of north state.

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

I'd choose Yreka. Susanville can be a bit... ghetto. Sort of like a little piece of Stockton or Vallejo on the edge of the high desert of north state.

Some truth to that, because of the prison, prisoner families relocated to be near, a common problem small towns suffer when they have prisons.

[mamayogibear]

Unfortunately for me I'm thinking I might not get into the school in Yreka because of the application deadline and my first application was incomplete! So I might wind up in Susanville instead. As bad as a 'prison town' sounds, as an optimist I'm thinking it might mean a few more job opportunities!
Once again, what is daycare like in these communities? And public education as well?
Oh and I mentioned Reno because I think it's the nearest costco and whole foods to Susanville...
Thanks

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by mamayogibear

Unfortunately for me I'm thinking I might not get into the school in Yreka because of the application deadline and my first application was incomplete! So I might wind up in Susanville instead. As bad as a 'prison town' sounds, as an optimist I'm thinking it might mean a few more job opportunities!
Once again, what is daycare like in these communities? And public education as well?
Oh and I mentioned Reno because I think it's the nearest costco and whole foods to Susanville...
Thanks

Susanville is still better than any town south of Bakersfield, it is a fine place. Folks do drive "blood alley" 395 to Reno frequently. You also have Lake Almanor, Eagle Lake, the Warner Mountains, Lassen Park and the great state of Nevada to recreate in, carry water.