10 Reasons to Live in Redding, CA
From its affordability and welcoming community to its 360-degree beauty, find out why you should call this region home.
Redding, California, is what many visitors and residents consider one of the state’s hidden gems. Its ideal location, comfortable size, affordability, career and education opportunities, lively arts and culture scene, and tremendous outdoor recreation options provide everyone access to a full and vibrant lifestyle. Here are 10 reasons you should consider Redding for your next place to live.
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1. It’s in a prime geographic location.
Redding is close to major cities, like Sacramento and San Francisco, without being too close. It sits along Interstate 5, which connects Seattle and Portland to the north and the Bay Area and Los Angeles to the south. Residents can easily access any major West Coast city and its attractions without the day-to-day headaches like bumper-to-bumper traffic and the high cost of living.
“The ease of access to things within a two-to-four-hour drive is literally the best that life has to offer. We’re a four-hour drive from the coast, a four-hour drive from the Bay Area, and not even a full hour away from being in the mountains.”
Julie Dyar, General Manager of the Redding Civic Auditorium
2. It’s easy to get connected to the community.
The city’s plethora of volunteer organizations and networking events help residents make connections, while offering them an opportunity to find their place in the community. Plus, Redding is big enough that you can have everything you need, yet it’s small enough that you can make an impact.
3. It’s home to friendly residents.
The people of Redding are welcoming and looking to extend a helping hand to neighbors, newcomers and everyone in between.
“The thing about this community that had the biggest initial impact on me when we first moved here is just the friendliness of the people,” Dyar says. “The people in Redding and Shasta County are actually our best asset. People are so friendly and helpful — if you make eye contact in a grocery store, a conversation is going to be struck up.”
4. It’s affordable.
Redding is much more affordable than most other cities in California and nationwide. According to Zillow (June 2023), the average home value in Shasta County is $368,923, compared to the statewide average of $737,900. Plus, the cost of living is 60% lower than nearby San Francisco, according to the Shasta Economic Development Corporation, and renting is reasonable.
5. It has a flourishing downtown.
Downtown Redding is growing in size and amenities. A variety of bars and restaurants pepper the downtown core, plus there’s a mix of specialty shops and downtown apartments. There is truly something for everyone here.
“Downtown Redding is thriving after a successful couple of years of projects, and that trend will continue,” says Blake Fisher, program coordinator for Viva Downtown Redding. “Downtown has been changing and growing. Downtown is home to five maker spaces where you can pick up or improve your skills, ranging from calligraphy, art, woodwork, creating and mending clothing, and cooking.”
6. It’s in a period of rapid growth.
Over the past few years, downtown Redding’s core has undergone major developments, including the opening of the Shasta Bike Depot, affordable housing and commercial and retail properties, the construction of a 400-space parking center, and updates to the city’s infrastructure.
“If you’re looking for a place that has a slower pace of life that still gives you access and opportunities to experience great food, a vibrant downtown environment — that’s Redding,” Dyar says. “I’m downtown every day, and the improvements over the last three to five years are significantly felt. It feels like a different place, but in a good way. We’re doing the development without losing our identity as a community. It still feels like downtown Redding, but more alive. It’s bringing forward the best we have to offer.”
7. It has a great arts scene.
Redding is home to one of 14 spaces designated as a California Cultural District, a geographic area with a high concentration of cultural resources and activities. The city has almost 70 public art displays and more than 50 bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Plus, it welcomes performance artists from around the globe to the historic Cascade Theatre and the Redding Civic Auditorium. The Carter House Gallery, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Old City Hall are some of the best spots to view public art, and the Sundial Bridge, a glass walkway across the Sacramento River, is one of the largest working sundials in the world. Downtown Redding has also seen several new murals painted as part of the city’s revitalization efforts.
8. It offers a wealth of outdoor recreation.
Redding’s tourism organization calls the city “your basecamp for adventure” — and that’s no joke. The city may be best known for its access to the outdoors. With large and small lakes, snow-melt rivers, hundreds of miles of trails that crawl up into the mountains, and its reputation for being a world-class fly fishing destination, Redding is an outdoor lover’s paradise.
“We have an abundance of trails — over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails are within a 15-mile radius of downtown,” says Nate Knudsen, executive director of the Redding Trail Alliance. “Redding is trending toward being known for its quality trails, especially. They are all multi-use trails and are used by all types of people. We also have the Sacramento River running right through town, and it’s very popular for fishing or paddleboarding.”
9. It’s ripe with history.
Residents can explore the region’s past by visiting Shasta State Historic Park, a former gold-mining town with several historic buildings. Fun fact, during the gold rush, Shasta County had more residents than the city of San Francisco. The old courthouse has been converted into a museum that houses historical exhibits and the Boggs Collection of art. Another historic local attraction is Lake Shasta Caverns, a spacious network of caves that is only accessible by boat from Lake Shasta and is protected as a National Natural Landmark.
“They are both really cool local assets — they’re really neat things,” Knudsen says. “Shasta State Historic Park has a fully restored general store, and Lake Shasta Caverns is about a 10-minute boat ride to an amazing cavern system.”
10. It prioritizes health.
Residents of Redding will find it easy to lead a healthy lifestyle. Not only are there abundant outdoor activities available right in their backyards, but the Healthy Shasta program facilitates healthy eating and group exercise programs. Activities range from group mural walks through town to an outing at the Redding Farmers Market. And Redding is home to a large health care industry, hosting facilities like Mercy Medical Center Redding, Shasta Regional Medical Center and Mayers Memorial Healthcare District.
This article was sponsored by the Shasta Economic Development Corporation.