Siskiyou county, Montague area. far northen cal (Palo Alto, Susanville: crime, buying)

[DBIF]

I'm considering buying a piece of land up there. There are lots of plots available, its cheap and the views are gorgeous. That kind of makes me wonder if there's a catch. Obviously the area is super remote. Nights are freezing cold, but I don't mind that. Are there any environmental concerns in the area (pollution, power plants)? Is crime an issue? Are they building a prison in the area? That's the kind of things I'm worried about.

any insight about life in the area would be welcome.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Actual river drainage aside, the area is like a finger of the Great Basin reaching out to the West. Lots of irrigated crops and grazing around there. Pretty vistas as you note. Easy access to Klamath Falls up US-97 if Yreka lacks anything you may need. I am not aware of any upcoming prisons. Probably the main depressing factor, as with most of rural CA, is the lack of jobs, as well as difficulties maintaining positive cash flow in the ag / stock raising sector.

[Think4Yourself]

The catch is there are no jobs and the land is such that even farming is often marginal or at best still has reduced yields compared to more fertile regions. Yes, it's pretty and it is BFE but you need more to live than just pretty scenery.

[eureka1]

There's a prison in Susanville, one county up, which is the major employer in Lassen County. Siskiyou County is known for reactionary politics so if you're a gun nut you'll fit right in. My sister and BIL lived in Callahan for four years and got out. They said it was the only place they'd ever seen where the county government was NOT welcoming to people starting businesses. My BIL is a self-employed cabinetmaker whose customers are mostly in high-end places like Palo Alto. They ended up moving to Sonora where they found a more normal business climate, and a shorter drive to the market.

[cre8lite]

be sure to check out the state of jefferson - a lot of signs in the montague area advestising the state of jefferson. while not everyone up there follows the same thinking, it's gained popularity over the years.

[Hawk J]

I know years ago land was being sold along the Klamath River between I-5 & the coast, & around a lake close to Hilt. I don't know how many folks are still living there.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by DBIF

I'm considering buying a piece of land up there. There are lots of plots available, its cheap and the views are gorgeous. That kind of makes me wonder if there's a catch. Obviously the area is super remote. Nights are freezing cold, but I don't mind that. Are there any environmental concerns in the area (pollution, power plants)? Is crime an issue? Are they building a prison in the area? That's the kind of things I'm worried about.

any insight about life in the area would be welcome.

I live about 2 hours south of Montague/Yreka and have relatives and friends in the area that we often visit. It is beautiful, semi-arid high desert with stunning vistas of Mt. Shasta and the Cascade Range. Economy has historically been resource based-mining, timber, grazing, alfalfa farming, etc. Many of the lumber mills have now closed. The heydays of mining are long since passed. The remaining Ag. based economy employs quite few. Don't need a lot of employees to manage a cow/calf operation or to harvest alfalfa. It's a tough place to scratch out a living. Population has been stagnant or declining over the last decades as a result.

That said, I know nothing about any huge environmental concerns associated with Siskiyou, nor any planned state/federal prisons, although that option has been exercised by a number of similarly strapped economic regions.

If you can swing a job, or are have financial independence, and can accept the "rural"; independent lifestyle it came be a terrific, wholesome place to live and raise a family. If you rely on urban services-this is not the right place for you. Nearest city of any size is Medford OR-an hour north.

Bring your winter clothes...

[smwon]

There is suppose to be a casino coming to Yreka... There is now a Tractor Supply Company, a Grocery outlet, and a Starbucks now as well... a casino does not sound appealing, but I think it is why the growth of 'big' name businesses.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by smwon

There is suppose to be a casino coming to Yreka... There is now a Tractor Supply Company, a Grocery outlet, and a Starbucks now as well... a casino does not sound appealing, but I think it is why the growth of 'big' name businesses.

Casinos mean jobs. That's important in depressed areas. Hopefully, the casino will be successful enough that it can maintain stable employment. Not all casinos are successful.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I have a vague memory that water may be an issue. That people may use tanks and have water hauled in. You might want to check into any water supply issues. That's the extent of my almost-knowledge.