Hidden valley lake

Hey

Anyone live in HVL area?

Just put an offer on a house in there.

Would like some suggestions on general household things.

Cable
Internet
Propane
Home insurance
Coffee
Places to eat.
Shopping

Not where I wanted to live BUT the only place within 1hr drive to work for me. So let's hope for the best.

 

@Porter707

 

Hey @CR00 I live up in HVL, I've lived here for about 2 years now and still make the commute over to Santa Rosa for work.

Lets see if I can answer some of your questions:

Cable - I use DirecTV for Cable, I got a deal at Costco for it and it's pretty inexpensive. Others around the area have HughesNet and Mediacom. I cannot speak on the other two.

Internet - It's either Mediacom or ATT DSL. Mediacom is what I have and it's decent for living out in the middle of no where. It does have it's ups and downs with reliability but it's really the only thing to use out here.

Propane - I cannot really speak on this as my whole house is Electric. I do know FerrellGas is one of the companies that makes deliveries inside of the gates and I know recently the HOA was trying to work out special
pricing for residents with a company, not sure on which one.

Home insurance - I've got USAA for my home insurance, some places down in the 'Flats' are in flood zones so be mindful of that.

Coffee - There are 3 Coffee places nearby. Grinders Steep in Middletown, Mountain High Coffee in HVL and Dirty Girl Donuts also in HVL serve Coffee, I do not drink it myself so can't give you advice on which is the best.

Places to eat - HVL has 4 places to eat here; Subway, Si Senor, StoneFire Pizza, and GreenView (the golfcourse). Middletown has a few places, a thai, chinese, pizza, mexican, deli, and two diners.

Shopping - For pretty much all shopping you'd be making your way into Lower Lake or Clearlake, it's about 20 mins. There's a Safeway, IGA, Walmart, Tractor Supply, etc.

If you'd like to come up and check out the area without a Realtor shoot me a PM and I can add you to the guest list and show you around. Just let me know.

 

Can’t wait for HVL mod days

 

My cousin lives on deer hill rd. But he's a jeep guy.

 

I'm over on Spyglass in HVL

 

Hey neighbor, I'm down off Mountain Meadow South.

 

I'm going to be on oak flat

 

Oh nice, you'll be right down the road from me. We almost bought on Bear Valley Road but ended up on Mountain Meadow South. I enjoy living on the golf course.

 

We like being on the golf course as well. Lucky we don't have any windows that are at risk of golf ball's coming at us, lol. @Porter707 Do you ever play around the fire trails out behind Jerusalem Grade Rd? I've been back there to explore a bit and it sure is pretty. My neighbor has a sand rail buggy he likes to take back there as well.

 

No I haven’t, I’ve heard there’s enough to get into some trouble out there. I’ve also been meaning to get out to Knoxville. Most I’ve done around here is Mendocino and a little bit of Cow Mountain.

And speaking of which, are you the guy who talked to me in the Hardesters parking lot a couple weeks back?

 

Yes Sir, that is me.
Pretty cool to have a spot so close by to explore and there's lots of fire trails and Putah Creek runs back that way.

This is where I got last time we played out there.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDhqWwWvgLjDE8at9

I've yet to head over to Knoxville but would like to check it out. I probably should while it's dry. I hear it can get dicey there in the rainy season and my truck is still on stock tires. I can't wait until I need new tires lol.

 

Have either of you had to remove a tree from your property?

A tree in my backyard is infested with beetles and the trunk has lots of damage. I would be doing the removal myself.

Just wondering how big the HOA hoops are going to be.

 

@CR00 I've yet to have had to remove a tree from our property. It does appear that an application and permit are necessary according to the association. I've had to get an application and permit for other things we've done and the turn around wait time for approval was relatively quick. Here's a link to the application, if you haven't seen it. Looks like they have some information in the pdf as well about how to proceed. http://hvla.com/ResourceCenter/Download/41435~2072915

 

Yup, I removed a 60ft and 35ft pine from my property within the first like 3 weeks living up here. Easy process, you apply for a permit the HOA comes by and takes pictures, they approve you and I think you pay a small fee. You get your permit and cut away. In the by laws they could require you to replant a tree in its place but we didn’t have any issues

 

Thanks for the info guys, it's just been small problems one after another. Damn 1st time homeowner problems lol. Sometimes I really miss my apartment

I went to the association and got the app, and had armed forces come spray inside/outside.

Once the permit gets approved my dad is going to take the tree down.

Now I'm trying to figure out why my heater hasn't worked since the power outages.
It doesn't have a pilot light, which was my 1st thought.

 

Yeah Armed Force is awesome, I get my house sprayed for weeds and inside/out for bugs/spiders.

And I hear you on the 1st time homeowner problems, we moved in and spent $1800 on tree removal in the first month.

I'd be of no help on your heater, but I know most people recommend Performance Mechanical Heating and Cooling: https://www.performancemechanicalonline.com/ (Just note I have not used them but they seem to be recommended quite a bit).

 

I have to Rant!
My 1st water bill came and it's over $200. I go to the office asking wtf, they tell me it's my sprinklers lol

What the hell is volumetric charge!? And why is it $114?

I'm the only person living in the house. Moved in Oct 5th.
So showering and lawn sprinklers are the only water being used.

I haven't set up the washer yet, and the dishwasher needs to be replaced.

Sprinklers turn on 3x a week. And none are broken or leaking. Both toilets are brand new.

Plus they weren't on during the power outages.

My sister has 6 people, sprinklers, washer, dishwasher= $111 this month.

People in office don't have an explanation but are blaming my sprinklers. So we're in a standoff

 

Sounds like you may have a leak somewhere? My water bill averages about $110 and that's for 2 people with our sprinklers running 2x a day.

 

Anyone know a handyman?
I need a barn door hung and a tv mounted on a wall.