Hello, I'm originally from Houston and Median household income is $69,443, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $1,323/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Is this normal for Redding?
8 upvotes
25 Replies
Sophia Hernandez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Phoenix for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are average. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Nicholas H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
37 upvotes
Thomas Smith
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Jordan F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Austin T.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The traffic is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
local_levi50
same here
32 upvotes
Bella Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
nolan_soul
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Lauren J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 42, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Lakewood and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Austin, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
29 upvotes
victoria_mama
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Uptown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
28 upvotes
Silas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Willow Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Eva Anderson
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
27 upvotes
Xavier Hernandez
facts
26 upvotes
Alice Hernandez
good to know, thanks
26 upvotes
Henry Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
phoenixgirl2020
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Victoria Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Robert Stewart
I've lived in Fairview for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
William A.
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Waylon Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Seattle about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Olivia Torres
I work in real estate here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Jackson R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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