Redding, CA


61 Reviews



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Redding, CA

About Redding, CA

Redding, California is located in the northern part of the state and offers a plethora of cultural attractions and outdoor activities. Visitors to this charming city can explore nature at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area or take in stunning views from Mt. Shasta. Redding's unique downtown area is filled with vibrant shops, restaurants and galleries. When it comes to nightlife, there's plenty of pubs, clubs and live music venues to choose from. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, Redding has something for everyone! Small town - Northern California, at the north end of the Central Valley.

State: California
County: Shasta County
Metro Area: Redding Metro Area
City: Redding
Zip Codes: 96003 96001 96002
Cost of Living:
Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Elevation: 342 ft above sea level

Redding is located along I-5 between the Central Valley and the mountainous region to the north into Oregon. Although the nearby mountain ranges and hilly terrain give a different physical appearance from other Valley towns, Redding shares many of the same concerns of the others – challenged economy, high cost of living and housing, and little to do. But there are some signs of an upswing.

The economy, traditionally based on declining forest products from the nearby mountains and some light manufacturing and food processing, had experienced some employment dislocations. Redding’s role as a center for a large region of tourism and some retirement destinations has brought some renewed economic strength, but the area is far from a career-building destination.

Outdoor recreational opportunities are abundant around Lake Shasta to the north, in Trinity Alps to the northwest, and in the Sierra/Cascades to the east. In summer, trapped valley air and abundant sunshine lead to extreme heat with 98 days above 90 degrees, and readings of 105 to 110 not uncommon. The weather is pleasant the rest of the year. The town itself is non-descript and somewhat lacking in intellectual stimulation. Living costs, following most of California, have risen substantially. Redding is a long 3-hour drive from Sacramento, source of the nearest major air service and other amenities.

Low mountains surround Redding in three directions with higher mountains in the distance. Terrain is slightly undulating with typical California valley vegetation—grasses and occasional trees. Summers are consistently hot and completely dry, while winters are cool and wet but with little to no snow except in surrounding mountains. The shape of the valley and latitude lead to more rainfall than most other valley locations.

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Redding Cost of Living

Mild winters, outdoor recreation, and revitalizing economy make Redding a great place to live.

$372,200
+9.2% higher than avg
$60,624
-13.9% lower than avg
7.6 / 6.8
Comfort Index
summer/winter
Redding Crime
59.8 / 100
Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low) to 100 (high). US average: 35.4
Minimum annual income
To live comfortably in Redding, California
$71,280
for a family
$42,400
for a single person
Pros & Cons of Redding
   Mild winters
Educational attainment
   Outdoor recreation
Summer heat
   Revitalizing economy
Isolation
Reviews for Redding
    See all (61)

What an amazing place to live. No place is perfect but the people here are friendly with several parks nearby and many miles of trails from Road Biking to MBT. Check out  More
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Take a hike if you don't like different points of view, religious or generally conservative people. No one will miss you. California has been going in the wrong  More
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Over 3 years ago
I retired to Redding 6 years ago and I can truthfully say that I made a huge mistake. If you are looking to move to an area that has; thriving arts scene, gourmet  More
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