Can anyone tell us what Fortuna's like?! (Oakland, Berkeley: fit in, crime)

[threedognight]

Specifically:
What's the job situation like for professionals (i.e., attorneys)?
We like old (pre-1940) houses; can we find any there?
What are home prices like?
Can you get a house with a large lot?
Is it safe??
What's Fortuna like socially?

Any and all input would be mightily appreciated.

[wburg]

If you like old houses, you'd like Fortuna. 1940 is actually pretty new compared to their stock of old houses...lots of lovely gingerbread Victorians in that neck of the woods.

It's a small town, and the Northcoast is never a super job generator.

Socially, if you mean nightlife/excitement, I'd imagine it's kind of like hiding in a big cardboard box. Eureka and Arcata have more entertainment options.

[eureka1]

Check the forum for statistics. Fortuna is kind of a cowtown compared to Eureka or Arcata. The Fortuna Rodeo is coming up in July and would be a great time to visit. They have a car show too. Contact the Fortuna Chamber,the URL has sunnyfortuna in it. I know lawyers who live in Fortuna, don't know any who practice there. It's a pretty small town. Come check it out! Great brewpub , Eel River Brewing, beergarden in the warm months. Try their lager.!

[threedognight]

Judging by your user name, Eureka1, I'm guessing you're from Eureka . . . . . If that's the case (or if it's not but you are familiar with Eureka), can you tell me what Eureka's like.

And since you mentioned Arcata, maybe you can give us your opinion of that city, too.

Basically, my family's looking to move to a place that's safe, beautiful, not too hot (65-70 degrees is nice weather), has old houses, and offers job opportunities. We're currently living in Southern California & the rat race is starting to feel more ratty with every passing day.

[TheDragonslayer]

Fortuna has around 7,500 people and votes republican predominantly, they are also pushing for a big box like Walmart or Home depot. The people are nice with many of the old families still about. A few country towns within close proximity to Fortuna are Loleta, Ferndale, Fernbridge, Rio Del and Scotia. All are quite small and also vote conservative. Most of the towns here shut down, but Eureka and Arcata have bars, but not really any kind of real night clubs. Eureka is a mix of people of culture and class, Arcata is a college town and it shows in the bars and clubs, Fortuna is very much a country town and you will likely meet ranchers, loggers and farmers in the mix at bars, clubs and restaurants. McKinleyville used to be typical truck stop town, but it started to boom about 15 years ago when it had a population around 7,500 and now it is possibly over 17,000. Arcata is a little bigger than McKinleyville. Eureka is a little over 28,000. Each town is quite different from each other. McKinleyville, sadly, lacks much in the way of architectural flavor, but has the most options for new homes. New homes in Eureka, Fortuna and McKinleyville are currently selling in the $350,000 range with some as low as $290,000 to $300,000. I love driving around Eureka, on the same block will be a victorian, a craftsman, a bungalow and a modern [50's]. Many of the older homes have large lots in Eureka and even in Arcata. The smaller towns have small farms that are still within the city limits. The crime in Eureka is higher than any other town in Humboldt, but it is not like what you would see in Oakland or any other large town. I have been around pretty much most of Eureka and none of it was like what I remember when I lived in down town Oakland or the flatlands of Berkeley. Temperature wise I find it perfect for me; 50's for the most part in the winter rain or shine and 60's and 70's in the summer with the occasional 80 or so and the rare 90 and only just last month our record breaking 100 here on the coast. There is a thriving service job market in McKinleyville (construction, plumbing, landscaping, storage, painters etc ), I moved here just when the town took off and started a garden maintenance service, I have already reached my limit of 15 yards and my phone constantly has messages from those seeking a gardener. Professional jobs are scarce, unless you have a connection to one of the colleges or financial organizations. If you have a friend up here, plan a visit to just drive around casually, I have a few clients that came up here and found a job before they even moved here.

[eureka1]

Dragonslayers's stats and descriptions are, as always, accurate. I'd just add that Eureka being bigger and more spread out has more different kinds of neighborhoods, ranging from the not-too-hot to the upscale. Arcata is a college town, with all the good and bad that that implies, more compact and more expensive because you pay a premium for being HSU. Without knowing more about your lifestyle,values and occupation it's hard to advise but Fortuna would definitely be more limited socially, but it IS "The Friendly City" if you're conservative enough to fit in. If you move to Fortuna ,join the Kiwanis and you''ll be right in the middle of things. Eureka and ARcata have the better schools, watch the districts in Eureka. Like all rural areas we are being hit hard by Ahnold's budget cuts, Eureka just closed another elementary school. Come visit! Bring money! Spend it here! We're having a tough tourist season because of gas prices and our salmon season being cancelled. There ARE jobs here but a lot of jobs that exist in major urban areas just don't exist here and the County just went into a freeze mode. Tough everywhere in Calif this year. Come check us out!

[eureka1]

Sorry, I just noticed you DID mention your occupation as attorney. The DA's office, which has been in some turmoil,is always looking for deputies, check the county website. The Humboldt County Bar Association is listed with an Arcata address and a Eureka phone _ 707 445 5865.The Chair rotates, I'd give them a call. Good luck! This community is dying economically and we need ambitious people moving in to help turn things around.

[threedognight]

Thanks to all for the great, detailed information. Since I'm not from your neck of the woods, I'm just curious what the turmoil in the D.A.'s Office is/was . . . . ...

[KimmieQ]

I currently work in Fortuna (as a Realtor) and love the area. Each town/city are pretty different and have something special about each of them. I agree with many of the pp about much of the differences. We have mild temperature, though you can travel east and get some real heat. We have beaches, camping, hiking, a few hours to lakes, and much more. Come by and visit. Rodeo weekend is coming up and would be a great excuse to come see what we are all about.

As far as homes, yes we have older homes. Track homes are not all that common around here. Many homes with lots of character! Prices have gone down (as with much of California, or the country really). Our average price is just under $300,000 (I don't have the actual number right in front of me). Yes, you can get a home with a large lot.

It is safe. When there is a crime, it's the talk of the town.

What are you looking for as far as social events? We have many community activities throughout the year and throughout the county. We have a active art community with events throughout the year as well as "Arts Alive" in Eureka. Being close to Humboldt State University also allows for more things to do.

Jobs. Many creative jobs that exist in larger areas haven't yet surfaced around here. Attorneys-yes. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more information.

[NorthernCalifornia]

Originally Posted by wburg

If you like old houses, you'd like Fortuna. 1940 is actually pretty new compared to their stock of old houses...lots of lovely gingerbread Victorians in that neck of the woods.

It's a small town, and the Northcoast is never a super job generator.

Socially, if you mean nightlife/excitement, I'd imagine it's kind of like hiding in a big cardboard box. Eureka and Arcata have more entertainment options.

Right on.

Fortuna is where the born-agains and conservatives in Humboldt moved to join the hicks (not rednecks). Eureka is much better for an Attorney although if you're like that you could commute.