Has anyone here ever visited Humboldt County?

[Jamaal510]

I plan on moving up there from Oakland in several months as I transfer to HSU. I've already visited in March, but I didn't get to see much besides the school.
I know that it rains frequently and the area is fairly rural, but my question is what is it like there? Is it safe up there, and safe to walk around at night? And is there a fair amount of things to do there? Thanks in advance.

[bemildred]

1. Safer than Oakland, I would think, and plenty to do.

But different, some adjustment required. People either like it or hate it.

[madamesilverspurs]

2. Lived there briefly in the late 1970s.

Parents lived there until about a dozen years ago. Beautiful area, the ground moves a bit too much for my tastes.

When I lived there, there was a restaurant where fisherman brought their daily catch and you could pick the fish you wanted for dinner; don't remember the name of the place, but the food was excellent. Also the Samoa Cook House. I used to enjoy the community at King Salmon.

Ferndale is picturesque, there were some interesting shops last time I was there.

Hey, enjoy. It IS beautiful in HC.

-

[KamaAina]

17. Ferndale had a 6+ quake about three years ago

I swear I felt the sidewalk roll in San Jose. Quite a bit of damage right in Ferndale, I'm afraid. Not sure how it's recovered.

[BlueToTheBone]

3. Are you going to be in Arcata?

What's your major? It's a hip college town, not a city; the countryside is gorgeous; the night time walking might have wildlife interruption, but I don't think you'll be mugged.

[Jamaal510]

6. Yeah that's probably where I'll move.

And my major is political science btw.

[BlueToTheBone]

7. You'll have fun.

But layers are important in dressing.

Good luck. We need lots of smart Democrats!

[XemaSab]

4. I grew up in Oakland and I went to HSU

Arcata is VERY safe. I used to walk around downtown in the dead of night by myself and I never had any problems.

It rains a lot and it can be overcast for weeks on end.

Are you going to have a car? If you have a car there are more entertainment options open, and it's a lot easier to escape the dreariness. If you don't have a car you can get around fine with bikes and the bus and walking.

Are you at all into the outdoors? If you like to hike, surf, kayak, and whatnot, you'll have a great time.

If you're not outdoorsy then entertainment options are limited. There are the bars in downtown Arcata. When I was there there was a crappy club in Eureka too. There's always LOTS of weed around, and that kind of weed-brewskis-BBQ hangout scene.

It's really hard to find a job up there, but it can be done.

What's your major going to be?

Are you going to live in the dorms or in town?

Finally, there are SOOOOOO many white people up there. I'm white and I have never seen that many white people before. I had gay friends up there who had a hard time because the gay community is so small, and I got the impression that a lot of the black students were also in a very small pond. The hippies up there can be a little cliquish. Finding and building community up there is really important.

[Jamaal510]

8. Sounds like a pretty decent place for me to be.

Only thing is that I don't know how to drive yet, and I'm a non-smoker.
BTW I want to get my own apartment (because I don't like sharing the same dorm). And my major is Political Science.

[XemaSab]

10. I didn't drive and I don't smoke and I got along ok

[hunter]

5. It's weird. All those white people.

But most of 'em are pretty nice.

[XemaSab]

9. .

[mike_c]

11. I live in northern Humboldt, near Arcata....

I absolutely love it here. It's very rural-- but you already know that. I live in Blue Lake, about eight miles from Arcata, and can't imagine a safer place to live. There is some crime here-- I mean, I read about it occasionally in the newspaper-- but it has never affected me. There is a fairly significant transient population, and of course marijuana cultivation is the foundation of the economy up here, so in that sense crime is rampant, but it's a good crime, LOL.

If you like the outdoors, there is plenty to do here. If you're into organized entertainment, like music and nightlife, there's not much. It's just too small a community. But if your idea of "something to do" involves outdoor activities, you'll be very happy here.

It is most definitely not Oakland!

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions I might be able to answer.

[calikid]

12. I lived just south of there in Mendocino County.

I traveled through Eureka/Arcata a lot, and I have a niece that graduated from there about two years ago.
The area is very safe except for off the beaten path in the woods.
Jobs can be a hard to find, but, for the most part it's a very laid back area.

[bayareaboy]

13. Have a great time!

If I could find a way, I would live in Humboldt County now.

You just have to slow down a little bit! Otherwise you will find yourself going down to San Francisco a lot.

And if you all want to walk trails be very careful and use only improved trails, don't get close to "GROW" areas.

[XemaSab]

14. You up there yet?

Keep us posted!

[Jamaal510]

15. No, I'm not.

I decided to wait till next fall to move. I don't think I can afford to move up to Humboldt this year, plus I figured it'd be best to spend some more time trying to get a car and a license before living on my own. But it's nice to read all these responses so that I have a better grasp of what it's like up there.

[XemaSab]

16. Thanks for the update