Must have been amazing fifty years ago...
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6/24/2007
I moved to Susanville after marrying because my husband works here for now. I'm fond of the patronage to old businesses and the beauty of being in the foothills of the Sierras. There is actually a Kirby vacuum shop that is still in business, and the barber in the historic building uptown has been in the same spot for 46 years. The people are friendly and many have lived here all their lives. I often wonder what this place was like fifty years ago when it was just ranchlands, desert and small town living.
There are two prisons and various government agencies that make up much of the workforce now. Housing seems very pricey here for what you get and considering the somewhat remote location. Summers are incredibly hot, with an annual fire season due to the dry, desert climate. Wal-Mart, one large chain grocery store and many local businesses comprise of the shopping. You need to drive to Reno (80+ miles) for other shopping/entertainment options, and several hours for any kind of real urban experience. Lake Tahoe is about 2 hours from here. You'll travel through mountain passes going anywhere out of here.
If you're more progressive and liberal in nature you can try to "bloom where you're planted," but you won't find a whole lot of company or choices here to suit your lifestyle. There is a Starbucks (but then the company is everywhere these days), yet not a single cafe with wireless access, including Starbucks. One doesn't come to Susanville to live an urbane lifestyle. Even though Susanville is considered to be "way out there" in terms of geographical proximity to other cities, the mail service is quite speedy with daily service between here and Reno. I've only been here long enough to say the people have been nice and it's where I need to be for now, but I am anxious to move on.
Isabella | Susanville, CA