Every parent eventually asks some version of the same question: Is this really how I want my children to grow up?
I did.
I have traveled, experienced different places and different paces of life, and ultimately chose to come home to Murphys, California. Not because Murphys is perfect, it is not, but because it offers the kind of childhood I remember and wanted my own children to experience: more time outdoors, familiar faces and a pace that leaves room to be present.
For families wondering whether Murphys might offer something that has become harder to find elsewhere in California, this is my honest answer, along with the realities I believe you should understand before deciding whether it fits the life you are building.
A childhood shaped by the outdoors
Murphys is a historic Sierra Foothills town in Calaveras County. Downtown, families can walk to Murphys Community Park, where Murphys Creek runs beside picnic areas and a playground. Community traditions and seasonal events create natural opportunities to gather, while the surrounding landscape makes hiking, camping and day trips part of everyday life rather than a once-a-year escape.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park, known for its North and South Groves of giant sequoias, is also within easy reach of town. For parents who want their children to spend more time exploring outdoors, and less time sitting in traffic or stuck indoors, that access can meaningfully reshape the rhythm of family life.
Murphys is also home to Albert Michelson Elementary, a public TK-5 campus in the Vallecito Union School District. School assignments, programs and transportation can change, so buyers should verify the current options for a specific address directly with the district before purchasing.
The realities behind the slower pace
The slower pace is exactly what many people love about Murphys, but it comes with practical tradeoffs. Murphys is not a large city. Depending on your work, healthcare, childcare and shopping needs, you may drive to nearby communities for some services. Employment options and commute requirements deserve serious consideration, and rural or foothill properties can involve added questions about insurance, utilities, wells, septic systems and wildfire risk.
That does not make Murphys right or wrong. It means a successful move begins with understanding how you actually live here, not simply falling in love with the weekend version of town.
What is the Murphys housing market like in 2026?
The July 2026 Murphys market favored buyers overall, according to Realtors Property Resource data for single-family homes, condos, townhouses and apartments:
- Median sold price: $795,000
- Median active list price: $569,000
- Months of inventory: 13.75
- Median days in RPR: 47
- Sold-to-list price ratio: 94.8%
In practical terms, buyers had more inventory and potential negotiating room than they would in a fast seller's market. Murphys does, however, record a relatively small number of monthly sales, so median prices can shift dramatically when only a few properties close. These figures provide context, but meaningful property guidance requires a closer look at the home, land, location and lifestyle attached to each purchase.
Is moving to Murphys, California right for your family?
Murphys may be worth exploring if you want a smaller community, easier access to nature and a slower daily rhythm. It may be less suitable if you need big-city services close by, a broad local job market or a lifestyle that does not involve regular driving.
My advice is simple: experience Murphys as someone who lives here. Walk downtown on an ordinary weekday. Visit the park. Test the routes you would drive for school, work, groceries and appointments. Explore neighborhoods only after you begin to understand the life surrounding them.
I came back because I wanted my children to grow somewhere they could still be kids. If you are looking for something similar, come experience Murphys for yourself. I would be honored to introduce you to both the beauty people notice immediately and the practical details that determine whether this community truly fits.
- ND
Considering a move to Murphys or elsewhere in Calaveras County?
Explore Murphys homes and properties or begin a private relocation conversation with Neriah Davis.
Neriah Davis is a Calaveras County native and Murphys-based real estate advisor with RE/MAX Gold – Murphys. She pairs firsthand knowledge of the region with candid, property-specific guidance for buyers and sellers throughout Calaveras County. CA DRE# 02166322. Meet Neriah.
