People planning to relocate to California don’t often consider the city of Redding. However, there are a surprisingly high number of benefits to this little-known city, including affordable rent and great jobs.
Redding is a small city in northern California with a population of around 100,000 people. In comparison with other cities in the state, Redding is a cheaper alternative and still takes advantage of a warm climate, surrounded by nature, and boasts significant economic growth. The biggest advantage of this city, though, is its location. It surrounds the Sundial Bridge with the Sacramento River running through the middle of it. There are trails and hiking routes for all abilities and fitness levels around the city, making it a popular place for people who enjoy the outdoors. It is also less than a two-hour drive west to the Pacific coast for people who enjoy the ocean breeze.
Redding is not one of the most popular places to relocate to in California, with competition from the suburbs of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, but it is possible to build a happy life there. It is a city that welcomes a slower pace of life, and a place where you will see familiar faces almost everywhere once you are settled. The city is a perfect spot for enjoying time with the family both in Redding, and also while exploring the rest of California, as the city is located close to several major highways.
If people were previously worried by the lack of jobs in Redding, that’s not the case anymore as the city is experiencing economic growth in a flourishing downtown development. Home prices in the city continue to grow but they are still much more affordable than other cities around the US. The current median home price is $283,100, which is 22% higher when compared against the national average, but both groceries and transportation are cheaper. Renting is an option many people take as a one-bedroom apartment will cost you about $780, much lower than the national trend.
How do salaries compare? The median household income in Redding is $10,000 less than the country’s average but, despite the unemployment rate sitting relatively high at 4.6%, the number of jobs continues to buck the trend as more investors are attracted to the city to contribute to its development. If you plan to be employed in industries such as architecture, engineering, legal or healthcare, your earnings in Redding will be high enough to live happily.
If you plan to live in Redding, it’s important to know that the population density is pretty good, which means you get a good amount of space for your dollars, about 1,500 per square mile in fact, so you won’t feel as if you are in the ant house. Redding isn’t very diverse – around 80% of its citizens are white, and 9% are hispanic. The average age of the people who live in Redding is 38 and just over half of them (53%) of them are single, so there are chances to find a partner if you are single.
Unlike many other cities in the Sunshine State, there is no heavy traffic in Redding and the average commute time is only 15 minutes, so it won’t take much time and effort to get to work or the shops.
Other important things to be considered by people arriving in Redding to live are the following:
The city offers great shopping, restaurants and bars. There is also a soccer park, waterparks, arts center, pools and acoustic center too.
- It features an extensive trail system
Where should you go on a good day? Of course, hiking. With 200 miles of free trails, there is no excuse not to spend free time in the fresh air.
- It is the second sunniest city in the US
There are over 300 days of sunshine, so get sunscreen and a hat.
- You can enjoy mountainous views
Since the city is surrounded by mountains, you can admire beautiful landscapes all year round.
- The Sundial Bridge is the main city sight and tourist attraction
If you move to Redding and decide to impress your guests, take them to the trip along the Sundial Bridge which is, in fact, a functional sundial.
As you can see, living in Redding has lots of positives, so you should understand all the different elements of this city to be able to get used to the new environment and enjoy life there.
