Redding, California, aka the “Second Sunniest City in the U.S.,” just may be the perfect place for you to begin the search for your dream apartment. Located 160 miles north of Sacramento at the feet of the majestic Mount Shasta, Redding’s various apartments, lofts, and condos cater to individuals with an assortment of tastes. So what are you waiting for? Isn’t it time to finally say goodbye to those cold and rainy days of yesteryear and say hello to perpetual sunshine? Then stick with us, because a killer apartment in one of northern California’s coziest, sunniest communities might be just a few simple clicks away...
A few of the niftier facets of life in Redding include:
Breathtaking scenery
Redding, California, aka the “Second Sunniest City in the U.S.,” just may be the perfect place for you to begin the search for your dream apartment. Located 160 miles north of Sacramento at the feet of the majestic Mount Shasta, Redding’s various apartments, lofts, and condos cater to individuals with an assortment of tastes. So what are you waiting for? Isn’t it time to finally say goodbye to those cold and rainy days of yesteryear and say hello to perpetual sunshine? Then stick with us, because a killer apartment in one of northern California’s coziest, sunniest communities might be just a few simple clicks away...
Remarkable Redding
A few of the niftier facets of life in Redding include:
Breathtaking scenery. There’s nothing quite so aesthetically pleasing as peeking out the back window of your apartment and seeing the Cascade foothills and snow-covered Mount Shasta on the horizon. Surrounded on three sides by mountain views and home to more than 20 acres of botanical gardens and countless scenic parks and hiking trails, Redding boasts a natural beauty as stunning as you’ll find anywhere in the Golden State.
Outdoor attractions. Amenities for nature lovers include the 300-acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park, which houses an expansive arboretum and features the renowned Sundial Bridge. Other popular outdoors activities include skiing or snowboarding on Mount Shasta, hiking along the Sacramento River Trail, and kayaking, rafting, or fishing on one of the city’s many pristine lakes.
Smooth sailing on the freeways. Good news for all those prone to white-knuckled, red-faced bouts of road rage: Traffic is almost never backed up in Redding, and the average commute to work takes a mere 17 minutes. Public transportation is a viable option for some – the RABA city buses make 11 fixed routes throughout the city – but we wouldn’t recommend relying entirely on public transit to bum around town (unless your apartment is right next to a RABA stop and you don’t mind planning your life around the somewhat limited bus schedule).
Apartment Hunting Tips and Tricks
Several things to keep in mind during the search for your humble abode:
Unlike tenants in other northern California cities, renters in Redding don’t face a ton of competition during their search for the best apartment deal. There’s no such thing as a “renting season” in Redding, so prices generally remain steady throughout the year. In other words, don’t bother holding out on a desirable apartment because you suspect its price will plummet later in the year (it won’t). On the flip side, you can afford to take your time and scour the land carefully for the most attractive bargain, since waiting lists are rare and vacant units (which account for 5 percent of residential buildings) outnumber prospective tenants by far.
Apartments in Redding range in price from $600 or less for basic crash pads with standard amenities to a grand or more for more spacious and lavish lofts, apartments, and townhouses. No matter what you pay in rent, though, plan to tack on up to $100 a month for cooling costs, especially during the summer months, when temperatures routinely climb above 100 degrees.
Most property managers require an initial move-in deposit (which is usually refundable if you refrain from tearing down your walls) and also run a preliminary credit/background check on potential tenants. If you have notoriously bad credit or a history of defaulting on payments, you’ll need an incredibly kind-hearted co-signer to back you up on your lease agreement.
Don’t assume that property managers have inspected your new place carefully before turning the keys over to you, because sometimes a blemish conveniently evades their eyes. Before moving in a single item of furniture, test the pipes, faucets, showerheads, and toilets for leaks, drips, etc; make sure the doors and windows lock and open properly; check to see that your appliances, outlets, and light switches function; and examine your walls and ceiling to verify they are free of discolorations, water stains, or the previous tenant’s Salvador Dali poster.
And now it’s time to get down to business and find you the Redding apartment that’s right for you. Best of luck and happy hunting!