If you’ve been considering a move to Pine Mountain Club, CA, you may want to consider the following five reasons why it may not be the best fit for you.
Reason 1: Property Owners Association (POA)
Pine Mountain Club has a Property Owners Association (POA), which can be a positive or negative depending on your preferences. The POA maintains aspects of the community such as plowing during the winter and refinishing the roads during summer. All members have access to the amenities in the community such as the pool and golf course. However, this also means an annual POA fee and a ban on short-term rentals.
Reason 2: Limited Medical and Emergency Care
The closest hospitals are about an hour away, so if you have any special health accommodations, living in a mountain community may not be realistic for you. Additionally, there is no local police department, though the crime rate is practically non-existent. There is an amazing local fire station that is ready to respond to any emergencies.
Reason 3: Adjusting to Mountain Lifestyle
When moving to PMC, you will need to adjust to the mountain lifestyle. Shopping options are limited, and there is only one reliable phone service (Verizon). Internet is reliable enough to work from home, but is limited to only a few providers. Your house will be on a septic tank, and you will need to drop your trash off at the local trash center and pick up your mail from the post office.
Reason 4: “The” Mountain Tax
Though home prices in the mountain are significantly less than those in the city, there are some expenses that you have to consider that wouldn’t be typical in the suburbs. These include having proper winter gear for colder days, taking winterization precautions, and propane costs. Additionally, septic system cleanings should be done every three to five years depending on your family’s size and use.
Reason 5: Commute
The commute is something to consider when moving to PMC. We usually go to the city about two to four times a month, but for some people this may be too much. During the winter months, be aware that PMC only has one road to get to the five freeway, and in bad storms CHP may close the five down entirely.
Conclusion
We know that these limitations may deter a lot of buyers and may be the reason why PMC may not work for you. However, it really comes down to your priorities and lifestyle. We hope that this information was helpful for you as you’re currently looking for your mountain home. If you want to watch the extended version of this topic, click the podcast link to see our honest experience of what it was like for us to move to PMC.
