AlanT1

I was once told by a resident of the west point area that "everyone knows everyone here and we all have guns." It was meant to be words of comfort from the man I was going to be taking care of his horses for while he was out of town for a few days, since I was concerned about anything happening to his animals or to me while he was away (I.e.- mountain lion or bear). Now that I think about it all these years later, I'm certain they were words of caution.
West Point is a tiny spread out town in Calaveras, bordering the amador/Calaveras county line. It is pretty tucked away in the mountains and doesn't have much to offer. There's a elementary school, one gas station, three eateries, and one grocery store that wants there customers to buy at least $20 worth of stuff in order for you to use your debit card ( its a place that's desperate for business) and lets not forget the local watering hole where "trouble" seems to be the brew of choice. I can't begin to tell you how many bad stories I have heard come from this place. West point has a pretty bad reputation for drugs, crazy hillbillies, and even murders ( technically the notorious serial killers Leonard Lake & Charles Ng in 1985 were located just on the outskirts of west point in Wilseyville, but to get there you have to go through west point).
To me, West point could be a nice place if it just wasn't for the trashy people out there. My cousins friend told us about a guy he knew who was having a drink at the bar in west point when these two drunk Indian guys from the reservation were hitting up on his girlfriend, which led to a fight in which one of the Indians took a knife and slit the guys throat before they both fled. He was lucky to have lived, if it wasn't for his girlfriend stopping the bleeding. Its not just your crazy drunks, as I have already mentioned about being cautioned against the people here, the saying is very true and you would not want to accidentally get lost going down some back road. Heavens forbid, should you end up stumbling across someone's pot farm because they will shoot you (summer of 2015, butte fire, shoot out again looters trying to steal pot farmers crops).
To sum up west point, I would NOT recommend this place to anyone no matter how cheap rent is or houses for sale are. This place reminds me to much of that freaky movie, "hills have eyes" minus the deformities of the locals, although I can't doubt there is probably some inner breeding going on out there.

I wish I could give this really great and Lengthy review of McCloud, since it is where I was born and raised in my youth, but unfortunately I can't now. Once a place that thrived from the lumber mill that occupied the edge of the town, now gone and with it the very heart of McCloud. A ghost town. Most of the families that once remained are now gone, having moved off and only the older retired folks remain. How anything manages to stay in business around there is beyond me, unless its the tourism that keeps it going, which I don't know what there would be to tour. There are only a few buildings on its main street, a post office, gas station, hardware store, a lodge and small grocery store with outrageous prices. Heading down the squaw valley road, there is a golf course and cemetery. Keep going further down the road and you will come to McCloud lake. The fishing is great. No fee to park or launch your boat (at least you didn't have to from last I noticed when I was there). Its not a very big lake, but the water is so clean and clear you can see quite a ways down before it starts to get deeper the further in the middle you get. My favorite fishing spot was over by the dam or by star city campground, a great place to camp by the way and once again, free. I remember putting up many good fights with huge German Browns or even Rainbow trout's. Aw yes, the memories.

When my family and I first moved up this way from the city, Plymouth was where we settled. It was a small quiet town then and is still one today, but that can soon be changing. Most of the scenery is rolling grass hills that turn a golden yellow during the hot summer months. I like to think that some of my best memories were here in this town. For me, it had a peaceful vibe to it. I lived just a skip and a hop away from the Amador county fairgrounds which had its pros and cons. It was close enough to take the kids to and they would have fun, but living so close you can hear the noise from the carnival and the people screaming on the rides and after the fair left town, the smell and flies were horrible.

There are some good little swimming holes near by (other than the pool) which is a bonus, especially when it gets to be in the triple digits in July and August. The town can also boast as having one of the best restaurants in all of amador county (5 stars and yes it is excellent). Off the main hwy and just a mile on the outskirts of Plymouth is the hidden gem called Shenandoah Valley where old and new vineyards are becoming all the rave. I once talked with a man at the grocery store who has been coming up this way for the past 4 years once he discovered Shenandoah and he said he preferred the vineyards up here to Napa valley. When I asked him why, he replied that its not just the great tasting wine, but the feeling of the valley and the people who run these vineyards, that don't do it on a large scale and are mom and pop sorts. And he is right. Some of the wineries have been around this area and passed down from generation to generation. Most of your older wine tasting crowds are coming up this way because for them, Napa has become to much of a hipsters kind of place and they just want something that is more down to earth and easy going.

Back on track, there isn't much job growth or home growth yet. That may see some changes in the future since land is relative cheap up this way and the larger richer wine businesses in Napa are starting to hone in on this particular area. Plus, the last I heard was the people of Plymouth were trying to fight a new casino being put up in there town. I don't blame them. After seeing what happened when Jackson had a casino approved and the kind of riff raff its attracting as well as traffic, Plymouth wouldn't be able to handle it and it would really take away from the agriculture businesses that help put this small town on the map. We never know what the future holds and will just have to wait and see.

Amador city is exactly what it is: A tiny drive-thru town. Just on the outskirts of Sutter creek, nestled away in a small valley and surrounded by hillsides and trees, its a quiet and sleepy little town. Main population is retired folks, living the country life. Its only tourist attraction is its main street of a couple of old mining buildings. One of the best bakeries in Amador county (in my opinion) just so happens to be located in this tiny town, which surprisingly does good on account of the lack of traffic that passes through this town, no thanks to the new hwy being built and diverting cars from passing through. It hasn't seen housing and job growth in many many years. There are no hospitals or medical facilities around, all the major shopping has to be done in Sutter Hill or Martell, and there isn't even a gas station until your one town over.

I have to give it a 3 out of 5 stars, because though it is a quiet little place it makes up for it with its charm, the people are super nice, and the scenery is beautiful and quite peaceful.

Airport road is not a neighbor hood road. Located off hwy 49 in Sutter hill, its where the American legion hall, the local food bank, the animal control, fire station, small airport and other small county businesses are located.

Of all the places in Amador county, Sutter Creek is by far my favorite. The locals are very friendly and support the small town businesses, I love the old Victorian era buildings and houses that surround the area, and just about every month there is something going on to keep you entertained, whether it be the music in the park events, sidewalk sales, classic car and chili cook off, farmers market, or even the popular Christmas delights.

There are a few downers for the city of Sutter creek however, like the lack of employment growth and home growth, shopping options are limited so if you need groceries you have to just take a short drive over the hill to Martell or Sutter Hill, and its always been, and hasn't changed, as one of the more expensive places to live (a large population of wealthy retired people). It would be a good area for young adults going to college, since its not to far of a commute to your colleges in Folsom or sacramento.

There really isn't much of a nightlife, making the town a quiet and peaceful place. The crime in the area is low, which is a plus. Over the past few years, Sutter creek has been gaining more popularity since it is ideally located not far from Shenandoah Valley and becoming more of a wine lovers town with stores offering great selections of locally produced wines.

In conclusion, this charming little town is great for people who want to just visit or may be wanting to move into the area. The schools are good, the lifestyle is easy going, there's a great sense of community. So what more can you ask for?

Had a friend that lived down this road, and she didn't like it. Apartment complex is located behind a senior center and by an open field and right down from the Jackson cemetery. The price isn't all bad and there isn't a lot of traffic, but the neighbors are not the best. Nothing beats waking up in the morning and finding your car burglarized or trying to go out to your garage to get something and finding your neighbors naked little kids running around and playing in there. obviously its a neighborhood that doesn't really watch out for one another. I give it a 2 star rather than a 1 star rating only because its conveniently located close to stores and is on a quieter street with less traffic.

As a resident of Amador county for more than 18 years, I have a pretty good sense of the small towns that make up the area here in the sierra foothills. From Sutter creek to Ione, from Plymouth to Pioneer and more. Let me start with Jackson since it is one of the few places that has had its share of recent changes.

When my family and I moved up here from the bay area years ago, the change of scenery and pace of life was a lot different than I was use to. Mostly the population was made up of your laid back retired folks and it still seems to be that way even today. Because its a town where everyone knows everyone and there business, it was easy for them to tell we were the new kids on the block. At first they are curious about you, until you say where your from then it becomes a "Really? So why have you chosen to move here?" It may seem like a rude attitude, but given time I have come to understand why the people of Jackson are the way they are. A lot of it has to do with the fact that these people come from families that have lived here for generations and have established roots in the area and they care deeply for there beloved Jackson. It shows too in the way they try to keep there historical points of interest and old buildings and houses maintained. They don't seem fond of growth happening so quickly because it would take away the peace and quiet of the town. However, in the past few years, growth has been happening, thanks to the casino located a mile out of town. Once a bingo hall of just a few employees, now one of the major employers of the area, things have started changing which has caused a sort of love/hate relationship among the people of Jackson. They love the place because it brings tourists to the area and the Family run casino has been very generous in helping the local community, what they hate about it is that its also attracting riff raff up this way. There are more and more homeless people that are starting to call the area home and can now be found pitching up tents along the Jackson creek, close to the hospital or sleeping under the bridges or on the benches of main street. Even under the library by the park. its rather unfortunate that the homeless shelter couldn't get enough funding to stay open and at least give these people a place to stay. Gangs from the Stockton/Modesto area are starting to home in on the area also. Its not uncommon now to catch a snippet in the local paper about some gang/drug related activities. Its just sad that they are targeting the younger adults in the area as potential buyers or even growers for them. I think Jackson wouldn't have as much problems either if they didn't build so many low income apartments around the town. They were suppose to be for your 55+ residents, but that's not the case today.

Speaking about housing, this ties in again with the whole slow growth thing. I have been noticing that prices have been going up for both to buy and rent places and its mainly due to the limited houses available in the area because the "good ol' boys" of family generations are also on the city council and discourage growth in the area. Sure you can buy a nice size piece of property relatively cheap and have your home built, but for what its going to cost in fees (hint: Rough estimate of over $125 k) you would be better off just buying. Another reason for the jump in prices is because the casino has put Jackson on the map and with it attracting people from the cities, they are amazed at how affordable it is compared to what they pay and see the location as ideal, since they can vacation up this way during the winter and be close to the snow and Tahoe, but still be 45 minutes to Sacramento or the up and coming hot spot, Folsom/El dorado hills. If I recall correctly, I think the last time Jackson had some nicely built homes in the area was back in 2004 or 2005. Since then, nothing. The houses that are on the market now that go for cheap ($200k and up) are nice, but dated. Anything below that price have some sort of issues. One of the things that amazes me is how with the prices of rent going up, the locals can even afford to live in the area, when most of the jobs nearby are low paying. A lot of people commute to Sacramento or Lodi or Stockton, I being one of those people. The only kind of jobs your going to find around Jackson that pay rather well is either at the hospital, the casino, or as an RN at one of the many resting/retirement homes. The rest is slim pickings from grocery stores, hotels, or restaurant/fast food joints. Unless you start your own business, you might do well.

So what are some interesting things in Jackson? What do people like to do? Again, the town is known for its history and part it played during the gold rush, so getting the chance to get out and see some of the historic points of interest may be the most appealing to people. Go antique shopping down main street, visit the old museum at the top of the hill full of gold rush memorabilia, or tour the mine. The local kids and teens hang out at the park and swimming pool during the hot summers. If they want to do anything else like go hiking or ride there bikes, go see a movie or even to go shopping would mean leaving the Jackson area because there are limited things to do that would keep them entertained enough. Jackson is exactly what it is, much like the rest of Amador county, a retirement community. Your elderly get involved with groups like the rotary club, women's support groups, art councils, old car clubs, quilting guilds and so on.

With all the information I have provided, I hope it gives people an idea of Jackson, CA. As a local, can I say its one of my favorite places in the county? Not really. It has never held any appeal for me. Its great to take family and friends from out of town to visit once in a while. It would make a good town for elderly people to retire that want to live the remaining of there lives in a laid back atmosphere. It would be fine for families, but just have a heads up that the work situation might be a challenge and after a while kids will get bored, unless they can easily adjust and embrace the country living lifestyle.