See a more thorough and well-written overview of Nevada City and environs here

Nov. 2004: added link to things you should know before moving here.

Nevada County (in California, not Nevada) is a long skinny east-west county running from the Sierra foothills to summit, about an hour northeast of Sacramento. Habitat ranges from oak grassland/woodland to ponderosa pines to firs to alpine.

Mix of rural, small town, new age, high tech, urban California retirees. A lot of retirees.

Towns - Truckee to the east up over the summit; Grass Valley and Nevada City are siamese fraternal twin ex-mining towns at ~2500 ft., joined at the hip by Burger Basin. Both are "split and ruined" (Wallace Stegner quote) by freeway running overhead (GV) and semi-submerged (NC) through town, although we handle ruination pretty well. GV more red state, NC more quaint/touristic/historic blue state. Both now artistic. We are a Book Town(s), with 2-year community college.

Rapid growth, culturally very diverse (but very white), contentious land use conflicts. High-profile local property rights advocate arrested (and is serving time) for allegedly plotting to kill his neighbor.

Other areas and stereotypes: San Juan Ridge (town=North San Juan) is hippie mecca, Penn Valley to northwest is lower-elevation, cowboy country. Also some large formerly-vacation-home subdivisions.

Climate quite different within ~15 min. of town. Penn Valley is lovely in winter and sweltering in summer, up above town you get pleasant summers and 4 wheel drive winters. Lots of rain, heavy at times. Pretty much "above the fog, below the snow" if you're in town or below. Some of the worst air in the country, ozone-wise, plus culture of open burning, plus woodstoves.

Tourist bureau wants you to come up here and spend your money. Real estate companies want you to do likewise but stay longer.

If you are thinking of moving here, there are things you should know.

South Yuba River is well-loved, protected by SYRCL.

You can listen to KVMR community radio online.

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