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My Shasta County

Born and Raised – Kayla Withey

More and more younger people who are born and raised in Shasta County are discovering that life is pretty great up here and either decide to move back after they explore the world or never even leave.  Kayla Whitey is one of the latter.

Hi Kayla, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Thank you. I’m 27 years old, and I was born right here at Mercy Hospital. I’m a Realtor at Shasta Sotheby’s International Realty.

I was born in Redding but raised in Whitmore, California, a very small town in the woods. When I was 18, I moved into my first apartment in Redding. I got my first job in Redding. I’ve moved around a little bit within Redding, and now I have two kids, two boys, ages one and three. I’m thankful to be able to raise them in this area like I was raised in.

Have you traveled to other places?

Yes. Hawaii is one of my favorite places I’ve traveled to, but I also liked Southern California. It’s just a little bit too busy for me. I like this area’s slow-paced vibe and the nature we’re surrounded by, of course.

So, what do you like to do in Shasta County?

I like fishing and going to our lakes, rivers, and creeks. I grew up swimming in creeks in Whitmore, so that tends to be my favorite thing to do. I also love going fishing and swimming at the creeks with my boys. I like to travel just north to Mount Shasta, which is one of my favorite places to go.

Something I did recently that I didn’t realize I liked so much was rafting down the Sacramento River. So I definitely suggest people do that. Take kayaks or rent a raft with family and friends and go down the river. It’s also a great way to see many of our beautiful homes along the river. I also love snowboarding, which is another reason I like going to Mount Shasta.  And the waterfalls, of course. I like to go to the waterfalls.

How did you get into real estate?

I never really saw myself doing it before. I was pregnant with my first son, and I wanted to go to school again. I had gone to Shasta College in the past for art, but I wanted to do something else, and real estate just kept popping out to me.

So I decided to take the courses, and I didn’t really know where I would go with it or what brokerage I would work for, but I got licensed and then went to a couple of different brokerages and meetings. When I found Vista Real Estate, which is now Shasta Sotheby’s, it was such a great team that I thought, “Yes, I think I would like to do this.”

After my first transaction, helping one of my lifelong friends get into her first home, I fell in love with it because I found out that I love helping people reach their goals.  So, it was an unexpected blessing for me to get into real estate.

Okay. So when you talk to prospective buyers and they ask you about the area, do you give them any tips or any advice of where to go, what to see?

Yes. First I’ll ask them if they enjoy the outdoors, and then usually people say that they do and I suggest a few of our different lake spots and river spots. A lot of people come here with fishing in mind, so I always point them towards some of the guided fishing tours that we have on the Sacramento River or a couple of the hidden gem spots out at Keswick and stuff like that.

The secret spots?

Yes.

Do you see yourself ever leaving Shasta County?

No, I love this area. I love that we experience all four seasons – a hot summer, a cold winter, and beautiful spring and fall. My favorite is spring, when everything is so lush and green with wildflowers all over. I love a good view; and, no matter what direction you look, there are incredible Mountain Views.

Last question. What are some of your favorite places to eat at?

I am a breakfast person. I really like to go out to breakfast. I love Trendy’s, which is a teeny, tiny little restaurant. Great food and great service, always. And then I would say some of my other places for dinner; I like sushi, so I suggest Raw or Tokyo Garden.

Thank you, Kayla. Good luck with your real estate journey!

Thank you!