Question regarding northern CA, Siskiyou County, Hornbook, Yreka (KRCE) (Vista: renter, HOA)

[desiree253]

Originally Posted by TheShoeboxDiaries541

I've spent a lot of time in Yreka, living in nearby Medford. There really, truly, isn't much to do there. A very small JC Penny, a wal-mart and a few local shops. A lot of the locals say they often travel up my way for a real shopping/entertainment experience. FYI, it's 50 miles from Yreka to Medford. It's easy to say you want to try small town mountain life, it's another thing to actually live it.

I'd suggest crossing the border into southern oregon. Medford metro has well over 100,000 residents, complete with malls, shopping centers, movie theaters and anything else you'd find in a large city.

I really don't understand why "city-folk" always assume everyone interested in small community living would be miserable because they don't have huge shopping malls and "city" entertainment? This has continued to boggle my mind for decades. I presume these are the same people that can't possibly understand what in the world kids did without the internet and Playstations!

[Clarks]

Yup, if you read through the posts on all the various state boards, you soon come to realize that most people don't want to entertain themselves, they really really don't want to be alone. They want a city, they want neighbors, they want places to go to be with other people, lots of other people, thousands if not millions of other people.

To a great extent, the various questions about the various towns to live in are unimportant, most people want to have exactly the same thing in their next town as in their last town.

I find the discussions of shopping at malls, appalling, the same companies selling the same Chinese stuff in cookie cutter malls all across the country. If Yreka does not look like Medford, like Redding, like Patterson, like Santa Maria, Americans are just not happy.

There is an old once partially accurate cliche, "Everything west of Istanbul is Los Angeles" Paraphrasing this a tad the modern American says, "Everything west of Mount Desert Island is Los Angeles, thank Gawd!"

Now, you may doubt this, but read the posts, everyone wants the same thing in their town as in every other town. America has become a nation of penned up sheep, and they think that is the way it should be.

Eventually they will get around to shooting the few remaining individualists.

[Gowen]

will land in shasta subdivision perc? how are the winters? are straw bale homes approved up there in those parts?

[Clarks]

Call a realtor..

[Udi]

Evidently this thread raveled out. Sure wish it would start up again. I was gone for several months and nothing has happened here. I am ready to move to northern California. I have property in KRCE. Any new info. My well is in and perc test done. Udi

[well-pump-contractor]

Here in Redding, California the cost per foot is approximately 30$/ft!


Kind Regards,

Cyrus Herrera Jr.
J&J Pumps Inc.
J&J Pumps Inc.
Redding, California

Originally Posted by DMenscha

A few things,

The poster that said get a perc first is absolutely correct. Your well needs to be X distance away from the septic system. You don't want to drill a well and then find out your only place to put the septic system is too close to the well.

For the poster that said not to trust a real estate person.......well (sigh)..... but the well drillers definitely have a handle on the relative ease of drilling and production. In my area typical depth is about 350 feet and production varies all over the place from 4GPM to over 200GPM by virtue of the geology.

For the poster who claimed 20K as an number for the cost of the well, I think that's a fantasy number unless the depth is about 1000 feet. Around here the cost is about $17 per foot for the well and, depending on the pump, another $1500 to $2000 for the pump and fittings. Well drillers here say "no water/no pay".

For the poster who asked about financing such an improvement, most people realize when they buy land that a well is going to have to be drilled and included that in their budget. Since most land is purchased for cash (I know there's exceptions to that, don't start) people generally leave some money in their pockets for the well and septic systems or plan on saving that money over time before they construct a home or even use a construction loan to finance the well along with the rest of the home.

For the inbred comment(s). Those are just about as accurate as saying everyone in SF is gay and IMHO just as ignorant.

Good luck in your quest!

[gardeniabee]

I've just recently moved to the Hornbrook area. Here are some rambling thoughts about my move here. I bought a completed home with the well and septic in place, so I didn't have to deal with those questions.

I made the decision to leave the Central Coast of California upon retirement to a place where I could afford a nice home. Being close to nature is important to me; I love the feeling of being on retreat. The hills, rivers, and wildlife drew me here. I suppose if I could afford to live in Big Sur, I would have chosen that. I visited Big Sur often but could not afford to buy or rent a nice place there.
The rural life, like you find here, isn't for everyone; you won't find much distraction -- it's just you and the land and creatures, a few hundred other people, and being in the present moment. Very peaceful and healing.

I've always loved Ashland and it is only a 1/2 hour's drive; and Mt Shasta and Dunsmuir, other favorites of mine, are about 1-1/2 hours' drive. So I can find what I need for groceries and amenities, and I'm content with the slow life.

I traveled around California quite a bit before deciding; in the end it was NATURE and AFFORDABILITY that determined my priorities. When I feel the need to connect with the city life, I can take the AMTRAK south and spend time with friends and play for a while then come back to peace and quiet.

[agilek9s]

Thanks for updating this thread with such a thoughtful post, Gardeniabee.

I'm currently considering a career relocation to the local hospital in Yreka and am looking to purchase a home along the Montague/Hornbrook corridor of Siskiyou County.

I am drawn to the lifestyle and area for all of the reasons you described.

One thing that has concerned me though is some posts about methamphetamine abuse in the area.

Now that you have spent a few months in Hornbrook, have your feelings changed or have you encountered anything particularly negative?

Thanks in advance

[Hawk J]

Recently I've heard on tv that Hornbrook is having water problems, due to drought, etc.

CW11 Southern Oregon :: News - Top Stories - Dead Mice Found in Hornbrook Water

[Woof]

The meth problem is probably no worse than in Waltham, it's everywhere now. You can look up crime stats on the main page.

I'm always puzzled when people talk about the nice views and nature in Yreka/Hornbrook/Montague. To me it looks dry, dusty, and full of ugly ranches. But then I haven't traveled extensively around those areas.

The hospital is very nice, I just had some tests done there recently. If you have any really serious problems and are dying, they usually fly you down to the bigger hospitals in Redding or elsewhere.