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mts4602
Mountain climber
Louisville, KY
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 18, 2013 - 03:53pm PT
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I've often thought of making the move to California to be closer to Yosemite and the Sierras, but I have no idea where I'd live. I was just wondering where some of you live and how far you have to drive to get to the valley. I've been there a few times and it seems like there isn't much civilzation until 2 or 3 hours outside the park. Bascially I'm looking for a decent sized town where a younger person like myself wouldn't go crazy from the lack of people my age. Also I work as an accountant so some place likely to have jobs would be good. I don't know much about it, but Fresno seems like it might fit the bill. I just don't want to drive 4 hours from San Fran everytime I want to go climbing.
So in short, where is a good place to live?
Matt
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Mar 18, 2013 - 03:57pm PT
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Fresno....not great (i'm super picky) but probably you're best option.
Much the best choice of Valley towns.
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squishy
Mountain climber
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:09pm PT
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I wouldn't move any closer than Sacramento, all other central valley cities suck big butts..
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10b4me
Ice climber
Happy Boulders
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:11pm PT
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Four hours to the Valley isn't bad. I drive six.
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michaeld
Sport climber
Sacramento
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:14pm PT
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I wouldn't move any closer than Sacramento, all other central valley cities suck big butts..
+1. Smells like sh*t the more south on 99 you go.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:16pm PT
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I grew up in Fresno, Spent four years at Berkeley, then nine in the Los Angeles area, and moved back to Fresno 31 years ago specifically because i wanted to be closer to the mountains. I wasn't disappointed. I even met my wife after I moved back here.
There are certainly plenty of opportunities for competent accountants here. It averages about two hours to Yosemite Valley from here, although I've gotten there as quickly as an hour-and-a-half. It's about the same to Courtright, the Balls, and several other excellent areas. While there's not a lot of outdoor bouldering within a short drive, we have a pretty good climbing gym. There's also a decent network of bike paths, and rather convenient cycling in the foothills and mountains east of here.
The downside is that we have about a million people in the greater Fresno area, with the mentality of a town of 50,000. If you're expecting cosmopolitan city attractions, you'll be disappointed. My summary would be this: If you like entertainment, you might want to look elsewhere and drive farther to the mountains. If you like supplying your own entertainment, or don't mind driving three or four hours for a first-rate, sophisticated atmosphere, you'll love it here.
John
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:22pm PT
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If you want to live close to Sierra climbing in a somewhat happening town, it's worth asking whether or not Yosemite is the only part of the Sierra that will do.
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adikted
Boulder climber
Tahooooeeeee
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:26pm PT
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Reno??
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mts4602
Mountain climber
Louisville, KY
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 18, 2013 - 04:27pm PT
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Thanks John. That helps a lot.
No, Yosemite is not the only place that will do, but it is my primary motivation for moving there. I just wanted to see if what I was thinking was even possible.
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squishy
Mountain climber
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:28pm PT
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From Sacramento I can be in the Valley in about three hours depending on touron traffic...
I can reach Lovers Leap in about 1.5 hrs...and the beaches in about the same time...
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ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Social climber
SLO, Ca
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:35pm PT
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I know this will come as a surprise, but no towns fit your description. You'd think in a massive state with 30+ million people that there would be some options, but nope.
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Dapper Dan
Trad climber
Menlo Park
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:49pm PT
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My first choice would be the little town of Auburn north of Sacramento .
Second would be Placerville .
Tied for third is Fresno or Sacramento .
You should calculate distance to Tahoe skiing also ...
... beware of Bakersfield
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:50pm PT
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Bishop is too small for gainfull employment for most and too far away from the Valley when Tioga Pass is closed. Does have the wonderful option of the Eastern Sierra!!! If you can find decent work thefe do it! The Pass is open when the weather is best in the Valley.
PS Not a cultural hub.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Mar 18, 2013 - 04:54pm PT
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If you live in the foothills (Mariposa Oakhurst) you will find yourself going to Fresno for a good time. Really kind of a sad fate :) j/k. I like the foothills, a good compromise.
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paul roehl
Boulder climber
california
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Mar 18, 2013 - 05:03pm PT
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Santa Cruz! Yeah, it's a bit of a drive, but Silicon Valley is booming again (good jobs); interesting university town; rated one of the best ART cities in America; great surf; good climbing gym; lots of nearby hiking. Sure your carbon footprint will enlarge with commuting and all but it's worth it... just don't paddle out at Sacramento Street.
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Mar 18, 2013 - 05:18pm PT
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Reno.
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10b4me
Ice climber
Happy Boulders
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Mar 18, 2013 - 05:21pm PT
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you might consider the Tahoe area too.
Jim is right about Bishop. Great place, but geographically isolated from the Valley in the winter.
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elAndy
Trad climber
El Portal, CA
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Mar 18, 2013 - 05:27pm PT
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You can always put your number-crunching skills to work for some of the fine organizations that employ people year-round here. Even if the Devil Needs Cash, it's still a nice play to be. NPS might be a little tricky what with the sequestration and all.....
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Mar 18, 2013 - 05:31pm PT
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Yeah, NPS jobs are hold right now but even if they weren't, they do not specifically use CPA's for budgeting or accounting purposes. Most budget folk in the NPS came up from the ground floor.
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Don Paul
Big Wall climber
Colombia, South America
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Mar 18, 2013 - 05:35pm PT
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I look at properties around yosemite on the internet, just daydreaming abotu where I want to live. I see lots of stuff for sale up in Tuolomne County, looks like an hour or so north of El Portal. Otherwise you can wait for something to open up in Mariposa. Ideal if you can find a telecommuting job. I'm glad there's no huge cities next to Yosemite.
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