Eureka/Arcata? (McKinleyville: fit in, to rent, mobile home)

[nanannie]

We used to live in Oregon, so WOW is important.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by nanannie

We used to live in Oregon, so WOW is important.

The drives down to Ft Bragg, or to Redding, or to Willits, are remarkable. They are far nicer than the many nice rides I had taken when living back east.

[nanannie]

NewtoCa, Any of those areas you mention have decent schools? I cant beleive all the schools are terrible in California.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by nanannie

NewtoCa, Any of those areas you mention have decent schools? I cant beleive all the schools are terrible in California.

Sure, some areas have decent public school programs. Among the highly ranked elementary schools in the Eureka/Arcata/McKinleyville area are Garfield, Freshwater, Washington and Jacoby Creek.

Here is the source site I used to research school performance. The map takes a little bit of work, but I think it is worth it. You might have to copy the link below and place it in your URL box, and then move the map up to the area of interest to you. Click on the small boxes at the top of the map to highlight the elementary and secondary schools, and the ratings will pop up on the map, and provide links (both CDE and ed-data) to supplemental info for each school (rating is 1 to 10, with 10 being the top rating).

Lots of specific information available about all schools in CA.

Enjoy!

California School Performance Maps

[nanannie]

Big help, thank you much !

[NorthernCalifornia]

if you want warmer weather most of the year you can just head inland a few miles. coastal fog is standard in say, Eureka, but the redwood river beach you'd rather spend your summer days on is going to be 85 and sunny.

[nanannie]

Sounds perfect. Never heard of the redwood river beach,will check it out.

[humboldtbambee]

Originally Posted by bianchi1

My wife and I are interviewing for jobs in the Eureka/Arkata area. What I have read so far in the forum has been relatively favorable. Would you agree? Is there any downside to living in this area? Many thanks!

hello. I have lived in Humboldt County for almost 30 years. The weather is not for everyone--fog can rule (40s or 50s) and you may desperately want some sun. When it is clear there can be a biting north wind that keep you in layers. Jobs are tight--you had probably know someone with strong county ties. Each town has its on personality, but I would like anyone coming here to realize we want it small--if your prefer concrete go to where there is concrete--we like trees. I f you want it small and to be a place where people actually talk to and recognize each other in store and post offic e lines. We are in the process of changing our economy to one of timber production and fishing to something that (I hope) does not degrade our water, air, or land. We like our eccentrics and many young hippies still hold to hippie values, we can provide for our families while still mantaining the beauty and wildness of our county. There has been a tremendous struggle over peoples' right to privacy on their own land and it has been pretty heated. Remember, marijuana for sick people is legal if the patient gets a statement from a doctor and some feel that marijuana cultivation is the unsung industry that has allowed many free spirits to be the king and queen of their spot of land. So, if you cannot fathom that--stay where you are. There is not always the variety of things to do here that you may find in a larger city so you need to entertain yourself more. In Arcata during a Fall fair one of the most simple and happy things occur--the hippies dress likeanother species and parade around the town square--is that not innocent and sweet. There will be trees, snakes, dragons, flowers, bears, squirrels--all actually silly people having a blast. Come here and mellow down, but if you are too tense--stay away. This is not for everyone but if you come--be like us, don't expect us to be like you. Even geographically this place is separated from the rest of he state--landslides can halt road action end even the internet connection has been lost. Thank you for letting me brag about my place--I am sooooo in love.

[TheDragonslayer]

As Humboldtbambee says, come up here to enjoy nature, the trees, our mountains and rivers, the endless beach's, the fog or even the heat, But, do not expect suburbia, that is at least 145 miles away from us. Sometimes in the winter there may be now way out of the county; all the roads may be blocked due to snow, rain or landslides and even the airport may be down. But, do come here if you like having nature next door, the occasional bear or raccoon, everyone knowing your face at the post office and grocery store, our wonderful fairs and nearly every town has a parade based on the Pony Express , the Rodeo or some other bucolic theme. DO NOT come here if you don't like the smell of cow manure, practically every town has something to do with dairy. Like Humboldtbambee, I Love it here!!!

[nanannie]

Sounds fine to me ('cept maybe the manure smell.) Having lived in illinois and Oregon, rough weather is just rough weather to me. I've been under tornado watch,rained in,snowed in, iced in, and ashed in by a volcano. I can handle it. The family and I will know in a few weeks if we are a fit for each other. Happy trails.