More and more of the buyers I talk with aren’t moving to Redding for a local job. They’re bringing their job with them. Think a software developer from San Jose, a nurse case manager from Sacramento, or a couple who both work for companies headquartered in Denver. Their first question usually isn’t about square footage. It’s “Will my internet actually work?”
That’s the right question to start with. For a remote worker, the internet connection is part of the house, just like the roof or the plumbing. And in Shasta County, it can change a lot from one street to the next.
Here’s what I tell remote buyers so they can pick a home that works for their workday, not just their weekends.
Internet Options in Redding: What’s Out There
Inside Redding city limits, most homes have access to wired broadband. Spectrum cable covers a large share of the city. AT&T Fiber, Frontier, and fiber resellers like EarthLink also serve parts of town, but fiber coverage is patchy. It’s on some streets and not on others, sometimes in the same neighborhood.
Once you head out into the rural parts of the county (think Palo Cedro, Millville, Igo, Ono, or acreage off Highway 299), wired options thin out fast. Many of those households rely on Starlink satellite internet, fixed wireless, or cellular home internet. Plenty of folks out there work remotely without trouble, but it takes more planning.
Provider maps and advertised speeds change often, so I never assume. I verify at the specific address.
How to Check Internet at a Specific Address Before You Buy
This is the most important step in the whole process, and it’s free. Here’s how I walk buyers through it:
- Start with the FCC National Broadband Map (broadbandmap.fcc.gov). Type in the exact address and it shows which providers report service there and what technology they use: fiber, cable, fixed wireless, or satellite. Keep in mind it’s based on what providers report, so treat it as a starting point.
- Check each provider’s own website with the address. If a provider says “not available” or asks you to “call to check,” take note.
- Ask the sellers. Through your agent, it’s completely reasonable to ask who their internet provider is, which plan they have, and whether they’d share a recent bill. Some sellers will even run a speed test during a showing.
- Run your own speed test at the showing. Use your phone on the home’s Wi-Fi if the sellers allow it, and check your cell signal in the room you’d use as an office. Cell coverage is your backup when the main connection goes down.
- Ask the neighbors. If you’re looking rural, a quick chat over the fence about what they use and how it holds up is worth its weight in gold.
Do this before you write an offer, or at the very least during your inspection period, so you still have options if the answer isn’t what you hoped.
In-Town vs. Rural: The Honest Trade-Offs
I love rural Shasta County. My family has been here three generations, and I understand the pull of a little land. But for remote work, there are real trade-offs:
- In town: More internet choices, often wired, usually simpler. You’re closer to coffee shops, the library, and the airport. Lots are smaller and you’ll have neighbors.
- Rural or acreage: More space, quiet, and room for a separate office or shop. But internet may depend on satellite or wireless, power outages can last longer, and you’ll want to think through backup plans.
Neither one is wrong. It just depends on how much your job leans on video calls, large file uploads, or being reachable every minute of the day. If your job can’t tolerate a dropped Zoom call, weigh the internet before the view.
Home Features Remote Workers Should Look For
When I tour homes with remote buyers, here’s what we pay attention to:
- A real office, with a door. A spare bedroom works great. Think about where it sits. An office right off the kitchen or next to the kids’ rooms gets noisy fast.
- An ADU, casita, or detached studio. These are a big draw for remote workers who want to “go to work” without leaving the property. If a home has one, ask about permits and whether it has its own power and heating/cooling.
- Backup power. Redding Electric Utility, which serves the city, has a Public Safety Power Shutoff program for high-fire-risk days, though it’s designed to affect a small share of its customers. PG&E serves much of the surrounding county and also uses PSPS. Ask the sellers about outage history, and consider a whole-home or portable generator, a battery backup, or at least a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for your modem and router. If a home already has solar with a battery, that’s a real plus.
- Cooling that keeps up. Our summers are hot, and a home office that faces west can turn into an oven by mid-afternoon. Look at the age of the HVAC system, the insulation, and whether that office has a working vent or room for a mini-split.
- Good wiring and Wi-Fi spots. Older homes may need a mesh Wi-Fi system or an ethernet run to the office. Not a dealbreaker, just something to budget for.
Coworking and Third Places in Redding
Working from home every single day can wear on you. The good news is Redding has a few spots to change the scenery:
- Trilogy Guild on Pine Street downtown is a coworking space with open desks, dedicated desks, private offices, and meeting rooms. It’s a nice option if you need a professional spot for client calls.
- The Redding Library (part of Shasta Public Libraries) is a quiet, free place to work with Wi-Fi.
- Local coffee shops like Theory Coffee Roasters downtown are popular with laptop folks. I’d suggest buying a coffee or two and being mindful during the lunch rush.
For community, the Redding Chamber of Commerce and other local business groups host networking events, which is a great way to meet other remote workers and local business owners.
Airport Access and Drive Times
If your job means occasional trips to the home office, this matters.
Redding Regional Airport (RDD) currently has nonstop United Express flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver, plus Alaska Airlines service to Seattle. That covers a lot of connections. Schedules shift, so check the airlines directly before you count on a specific route.
The airport sits on the southeast side of town, so living in east Redding, Palo Cedro, or south Redding makes it an easy trip.
If you’d rather drive or need a bigger airport:
- Sacramento is roughly two and a half hours south on I-5, and Sacramento International has many more direct flights.
- The Bay Area is roughly three and a half to four hours, depending on where you’re headed and the traffic.
Many of my remote clients fly out of Redding for most trips and drive to Sacramento when they need a better fare or a nonstop.
Let’s Find a Home That Works for Your Workday
If you’re planning a move to Redding and keeping your remote job, I’d love to help. I’ll check internet at every address we look at, ask the sellers the right questions, and help you weigh in-town convenience against rural space. You’ll get honest answers about what each home means for your workday, not a sales pitch.
Reach out anytime and we can talk through what you need.
Call or text: 530-953-1100 · jcreteam.com/contact · [email protected]
Sources: FCC National Broadband Map; BroadbandNow and BroadbandSearch provider listings for Redding, CA (2026); City of Redding / Redding Electric Utility PSPS program page; Redding Regional Airport route data via Wikipedia and United Airlines; Livability.com, “5 Reasons Remote Workers Thrive in Redding, CA” (2024); Trilogy Guild coworking listing.
About Justin Cartwright — Justin Cartwright is a third-generation Shasta County resident and licensed REALTOR® with Waterman Real Estate in Redding, CA. He and the JCRE Team specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate the Redding and greater Shasta County market with honest guidance and genuine care. DRE License #02093872 · Waterman Real Estate, 1760 Churn Creek Rd, Redding, CA 96002 · 530-953-1100.
