Working in Centerville CDP (Shasta County) -salaries realistic?
Just moved here 8 months ago and There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
James Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Lydia Wood
I work in consulting here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Robert J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Old Town and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
27 upvotes
Jace Johnson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Audrey Baker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
19 upvotes
Hazel Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 2 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Angel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Maya Watson
honestly same experience here
14 upvotes
Victoria Gray
bump
14 upvotes
Charles W.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Linda P.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Isaiah Flores
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's improving.
6 upvotes
Addison Smith
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
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