Where to live in far northern California??

[nanannie]

I am one who witnessed the Gov.Tom McCall days in Oregon. I remember the signs "Dont Californicate Oregon", but they came and they did. Oregon has changed so much in areas its not recognizable. Many Oregonians feel about Californians the way you feel about city folk- only worse. Its 'progress' to some, its a shame to many but its growth and its fact. Nothing stays the same. I think in your neck of the woods, the plastic- botox- hummer group are probably not interested , not enough to do or no happening places to be seen in. I would like to think many who are attracted to that area love the enviroment more then McMansions and SUVs and appreciate Gods lovely Creations- You say its "yours' just cuz you were born there ? hmmm, Native Americans could never understand land ownership, knowing they could never really OWN it, only steward it temporarily. I like that.

[Dary]

Actually, I am part Native American and I am simply looking for a better life for my children than what I had growing up here. I don't drive an SUV, I'm very aware about what I do (or don't do) for the environment and no, 3-400,000 is not reasonable for me, it's very high (like I said we are on 1 teacher's salary) but I want to have an extensive garden and realize that I'll have to pay for a big plot of land. We'll have to work our tails off to afford it as my house sale here will not pay for it. But that's ok for us. Yes, it's sad that places change and that they're not the same as they once were....isn't that why Southern California is so polluted and horrible now when it was once Wonderland?? My ancestors came here from Oklahoma looking for a better life for their family during the dustbowl. Other family came from England and Germany during WWII looking for a safer life. Should we be angry at the Oakies and the Europeans? No, because I am them, too, even though I was born here. I'm sure your ancestors came from somewhere. Now I'm leaving to raise my family the best way I know how. People move, it's what they do. Everyone is searching for their best life. I'm sorry that your little piece of heaven happens to be mine also, but for everything there is a season....

[TheDragonslayer]

I agree that growth is inevitable, it goes with progress and if there is no progress, then we have stagnation. I have been in Humboldt county for 16 years now and in that time it has grown by maybe 3,000 people to almost 130,000, Eureka was actually smaller in 2000 than it was in 1990 at the previous census. Both Eureka and Arcata have reached their limit for population growth, but Eureka has several outlying townships that boost its population. McKinleyville has grown from around 7,000 in 1990 to 13,000 plus in 2000 when I moved here. The town has grown phenomenally since with new neighborhoods popping up left and right and along with it did the price to buy a home here. In 2000 the median price was $137,000 and in 2006 it had hit a high that was hovering around $400,000 and now new homes are in the $275,000 to $350,000 range. And, they are still building more homes here everyday, at least here in McKinleyville. The biggest hurdle here is the job market and the economy, Oh, and the horrible gas prices, regular is at $4.10 at most of the gas station. I happen to be a gardener by trade and there is always someone in need of a gardener, I am rarely without work, if anything I have too much work with 14 yards this season to start with.

[SSIwillbebrokeby2010]

Oh right. Yes, it only takes me 2 hours cause' I'm starting from just past Lewiston. I guess I made it sound like 2 hours starting from Redding. In that case, there's no way to make Arcata in 2 hours. Need 3 hours without road work.

[TheDragonslayer]

Phew!!! I thought that if you were starting from Arcata, WOW, you would really be flying along 299 and I read in the local newspaper all the time of somebody going off 299 and into the trinity river. Just recently a woman drove her miata right off a curve and clipped some tree tops before she landed on the river bar 500 feet below the road. There were witness's that saw her car sailing over the trees. 3 hours is descent time if there is no road work, or a rock slide, or snow from October through to even May sometimes. I love driving 299 and the time saved taking I-5 south instead of 101 is worth it and only about 15 miles more in distance.

[Grumbler]

Originally Posted by TheDragonslayer

I love driving 299 and the time saved taking I-5 south instead of 101 is worth it and only about 15 miles more in distance.

I've never done 299 btw Willow Creek and Weaverville. Just btw Arcata and Willow Creek as well as Redding to Weaverville. Have been on 3 btw 36 and Yreka, 96 btw Yreka and Willow Creek, 36 btw Susanville and Fortuna. Also, that route btw Callahan and Somes Bar.

Am very well versed with negotiating the curves on those winding secondary roads. 299 is a cakewalk compared to 36. Definately wouldn't drive/ride btw Arcata and Redding at night unless it was just for 1/2 hour.

Will be staying in Fortuna for a couple of nights next month with my daughter (currently in 10th grade) so we can visiting Humboldt State and Arcata that Saturday. Hopefully, weather will be decent enough to ride there on my motorcycle otherwise we have to take my wife's car. We're in Boise, ID.

Incidently, we originally planned to get a motel in Arcata, but the rates are a bit too stiff. Besides, it's hard to resist staying in Fortuna next to the Eel River Brewing Co. Didn't want to stay in Eureka as it's a little too busy for us. Prefer hanging in quieter areas.

Have been to Humboldt County countless times. Still, it's often a relief to head inland where it's much warmer when the redwood coast is cold, windy, overcast and/or foggy especially on a motorcycle.

FWIW, I grew-up in Carmel then Carmel Valley. Amazing difference in the climate when you're just 10 miles east of the coast. Also lived in Santa Cruz before it became an overpopulated and heavily congested bedroom community for the Silicon Valley.

[SSIwillbebrokeby2010]

On the 299 from Arcata to Redding, there are all these adorable Cabin Motels with little swimming holes and wet bars in the water.
You don't need an RV either. There are alot of them. My neighbors stayed at everyone of these Cabin lodge/motel/campgrounds over the years.
I would pick one of them to stay in.
I just went back n' forth a few months ago during the winter and was thinking of just going back to stay at a couple of those cute little cabins during the hotter months coming up real soon.

[glidingdoc]

I hope you don't mind, but I would very much like to leave a question in your thread as your discussion seems to be very close to what I am asking.

I would like to live near to Montague, CA, just 20 miles south of the Oregon/California boarder where they have a fantastic gliding club. Unfortunately, I have to be realistic and send my wife out to work! She is into Women's Beauty, hair, skin treatments and nails.
Two questions.
Firstly, Are the ladies of Northern California and Southern Oregon into beauty treatments? Do they get there nails done? Do they get bothered by the odd wrinkle? Do they go for painful removal of unwanted hair? Or are they more into natural living?? Would she have any business in that area?
Secondly, Would we be better off, in terms of taxes, fuel costs etc., living in Southern Oregon or Northern California? The gliding club is onlu 20 miles south of the boarder so, theoretically, we could live in Oregon and fly in California?
Any thoughts gratefully received.
Steve

[SSIwillbebrokeby2010]

The town of Ashland, Oregon is very much the upper crust of society. The ladies there are quite health consious and beauty oriented. Very Natural living people there. And quite wealthy. There is also the University there as well.
The real estate is untouchable though unless you are quite wealthy.
I know for a complete opposite of the wealth of Ashland, there is Cave Junction in Oregon and it is poorer.
So you might have to check more in to Montague, Calif. I don't know that area as a wealty and society area. But there's always ladies wanting their hair done and nails in every town.
Just not the clientle of Ashland, Oregon.
Gliding, ahhhh, that's sounds soooo nice.........

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by SSIwillbebrokeby2010

The town of Ashland, Oregon is very much the upper crust of society. The ladies there are quite health consious and beauty oriented. Very Natural living people there. And quite wealthy. There is also the University there as well.
The real estate is untouchable though unless you are quite wealthy.
I know for a complete opposite of the wealth of Ashland, there is Cave Junction in Oregon and it is poorer.
So you might have to check more in to Montague, Calif. I don't know that area as a wealty and society area. But there's always ladies wanting their hair done and nails in every town.
Just not the clientle of Ashland, Oregon.
Gliding, ahhhh, that's sounds soooo nice.........

Ummm, having spent some time there, I would say "upper crust society" and ''Real estate is untouchable'', is very much a stretch. You dont get alot of home for your $$ compared to surrounding areas, but certainly not ''untouchable'' or ''upper crust society''. Some people with money, yes, but many average and modest means families as well. We checked out schools and the hoods all over the place, very much a mix.