Rural Healdsburg vs. Downtown Healdsburg: Which Is the Right Choice for You?

In 2019, I bought a house in downtown Healdsburg, and completely remodeled it, and then last year, I decided to move back to rural Healdsburg. You might be surprised to hear how it's going. I'll share what I love about living out of town compared to being just a 10-minute walk from the Plaza—and whether I made the right decision.

Moving From Downtown to Rural Healdsburg

Before moving to Healdsburg, I lived in the Bay Area and always dreamed of moving to wine country. I initially purchased in rural Healdsburg nearly 10 years ago but realized it wasn't what I was looking for, so I moved to downtown in 2019. However, after four years, I decided to leave downtown and return to rural Healdsburg.

The Walkability Factor

The biggest concern I had was missing the ability to walk downtown, especially in the evenings. Surprisingly, I haven't missed it at all. I'm only a 5-minute drive from the Plaza, which doesn't take much longer than walking. The only downside is not getting my daily steps in! The true test will come in the summer when I'll see if I enjoy a 25-minute walk into town on a warm evening.

I do visit town less frequently now. If I run out of something like milk, instead of walking to Shelton's downtown, I just make do without or use a substitute. This has made us more resourceful and reduced waste, which is a positive outcome both financially and environmentally.

Living Closer to Nature

When living in town, our view consisted of the neighbor's house in front and fences surrounding our backyard. Now, we have unobstructed views across vineyards and barely see any other houses. It's more relaxing to hear the sounds of nature, like coyotes at night or chickens in the morning.

However, rural living comes with challenges. We've had ant and ladybug invasions, likely due to the wet weather. Living in a rural setting means dealing with more insects, so anyone considering a rural home should be prepared for that.

Utility Considerations

Living in Healdsburg provides city utilities like electricity, water, and gas through Healdsburg Electric, which rarely shuts down power. Moving to rural Healdsburg meant switching to a well, septic tank, PG&E electricity, propane, and Starlink for internet.

Our electricity has gone out three times in four months due to storms, but our battery backup has kept us largely unaffected. I realized how important a backup system is for rural living since losing power also means losing water if the well pumps can't operate. The previous owners didn't back up our well, but it's an easy fix.

On the positive side, having a well means free, softer water, which is great for washing. Starlink provides reliable, high-speed internet, though it's more expensive than Comcast at $120 per month. The only real downside is using propane instead of natural gas, which can be very costly. After an accident with the pool heater that cost us $1,000 in propane, we've reduced our usage and are switching to electric heat pumps for the house and pool.

Outdoor Recreation

Living in rural Healdsburg allows for hiking and biking straight from our front door. We can take a 3-mile hike through vineyards and enjoy nature without seeing other people. For biking, we quickly reach West Dry Creek Road without navigating through town traffic.

Driveway and Garage

If you live downtown, you're likely to have a small garage and often park on the street. Despite having a double garage in downtown, one half was used for storage and the other for a gym, meaning we usually parked on the street. Now, we have a triple garage with plenty of parking space, making it easy to keep cars clean and dry.

More Space, More Yard, Fewer Neighbors

Living in a rural setting provides more space and privacy. We have a 0.5-acre yard overlooking someone else's vineyard. It's the perfect size for parking, vegetable planters, outdoor dining, fruit trees, and a pool.

Our home has become a destination for friends staying over the weekend, offering ample space to relax and enjoy the pool without feeling crowded. While we still visit town, it's equally enjoyable to stay home and entertain.

Was Moving to Rural Healdsburg the Right Decision?

At this stage in my life, definitely. I love having room for a pool, being close to nature, and enjoying more space and privacy while remaining just a 5-minute drive from downtown. It's the perfect compromise to get the best of both worlds.

Would I consider living downtown again? Absolutely. In 10-15 years, I can see myself moving back into town to simplify life or to have something easier to lock up and leave. But for now, rural Healdsburg is perfect.