Family Life in Humboldt County. (Eureka, Ferndale: work, home, gangs)

[nanannie]

Dont read much on here about that area, Eureka, Ferndale, etc. Are the schools any better then the rest of Calif? Any gang problams? Seems like a wonderful place to raise kids. Anyone have experiences there ? Thanks

[eureka1]

There have been innumerable posts on this area. Try the Search Forum button. The schools vary, and there are gangs but it's not out of control. Whether it is a "wonderful place to raise kids" depends on your values and needs. The services for special-needs kids are below par and the public transit is poor so you'lll be driving them everywhere unless you choose your location carefully. Some people think the drug culture here is not good for kids, others don't mind it. Lots of things to consider.

[nanannie]

Thank you for your reply- I did do the search, just searching for more specifics.

[MakeHayNotBones]

The schools fluxuate between just as good and not so good. It all depends on the state's program cutbacks. Most of the teachers are decent and truely care about their student's work habits.

The townspeople up here push the Anti-Smoker, under the guise of Anti-Smoking. We would be happier if they would push for the Anti-druggies under the guise of Anti-Drugs though. The drug problem is horrendous. Meth, Heroin, ecstacy, and all the bad ones. Pot is in there too, but most of the pot heads are so laid back it makes the area bearable. Most of them grow their own and aren't into ripping you off. Beware of the real druggies though, they're whacky.

There is also an Anti-Homeless instead of Anti-Homelessness attitude. There is help for the very needy, but not much. Most are thrown to the wolves, (lions actually).

There are some Cartells up here, you bet.

There are many many wannabe gangstas in the Eureka area. The problem with them is how the local police don't take them seriously until AFTER the driveby shootings have killed someone. Even then, they pat the rest of them on the head. Not good.

Overall though it's a lovely area to live, to raise your kids. Expensive as all get out, but nothing like in the big cities where there is absolutely no free fun at all. Up here we have the river, the bay, the ocean, the parks, and so forth. There are concerts, parades, rodeos, poetry, artsy fartsy shows, and the list just goes on and on. Never a boring moment especially if you're into the arts scene and would prefer to spend your free time with your family in your garage making the most creative and fun kinetic sculpture the coast has ever seen. Priceless.

[MakeHayNotBones]

Well well well. My words never tasted so good. yummm!
Suspected gang members arrested in sweep | The Eureka Reporter

and also all in the same day/week frame:
Feds nab pot plants worth millions, continue search of large property | The Eureka Reporter

haha, a convoy of 44 fed rigs winding down along our narrow roads where 25mph seems too fast in places and they wonder where the "tips" are coming from. (bad guys are being tipped off of their approach).

But, hey! At least they're out there finally!! Go get em feds. Now maybe we can enjoy our forrests again.

OOPS, maybe not.
(also on the same day/week time frame):
Lightning fires continue to blaze, chance of more lightning this weekend | The Eureka Reporter

Too bad the Forrest Management programs don't include strategically placed water tanks, fire roads, maintanence equipment buildings, within that wild terrain. Maybe they were too worried about the 'growers'? Who knows. Hopefully they'll stop collecting land they don't care for and start collecting management tools for a change.

All in all, maybe things will start looking up in some areas of life in Humboldt. We'll see.