Humboldt County (San Jose, San Francisco, Berkeley: for sale, real estate, house)

[TheDragonslayer]

I moved here to Humboldt count on February 29th 1992. For the first seven years I lived in the Garberville and Redway area of Southern Humboldt county about 80 miles south. Humboldt county is a large and mostly rural county, high technology is taking its time getting to us with fiber optics only being about five years young. The population is standing at the 130,000 spot for the whole county. Eureka is the county seat and the largest town at 28,000, Arcata follows at over 17,000, McKinleyville next at close to 16,000 and Fortuna at over 7,000 strong. Many of these towns have surrounding smaller towns that are not incorporated. McKinleville, itself, is not incorporated. Farming is very strong here with a nation leading 4 H program. Every town has at least one dairy still in operation and the Challenge Dairy has farms in Arcata, Loleta and McKinleyville at least. Ferndale is a beautiful victorian town surrounded by farms and dairy's. The beaches are never crowded and you can still drive on beach at Clam beach, Centerville beach and Samoa Beach and on others with a permit.Here are pictures of Trinidad from Arcata's Mad river beach and from Trinidad looking south and a few nice sunsets and cows. Following are pictures of typical homes here in McKinleyville in the following ranges; A $900K home on the beach, a $600K 5000 sf tudor on 2 acres, a $500K home with almost 3000 sf. , a $450K home and one in the $300K range. I am not in real estate, I am a gardener and see and take care of homes that are often for sale. The tudor sold last year for 629 and the white house is for sale for 500 . The price of homes here is high for those that have lived here for a while and following the closing of our logging mills and the rip off of the Pacific Lumber companies employees by Hurwitz combined with fishing restrictions, native humboldt residents are being priced out. Most of my garden clients are home owners that have moved here from further south in the state and can afford to purchase a home here.

[treeluvr]

Thanks for the pictures, Dragonslayer. I've been researching a move to Humboldt. I love the scenery, the small towns, farms, etc. Am worried about jobs, but I'm pretty sure I could support myself.

Now I'm considering moving companies. Are there any "pack-it yourself" type companies that deliver household goods to Humboldt county? So far, I haven't seen any that go farther north than San Jose or San Francisco.

What is the most economical way to get my stuff (there's not much, but I want to keep it) from the east coast to Humboldt county?

[TheDragonslayer]

I rented 2 moving vans when I moved here from Berkeley. I packed each one to the gills and headed north on 101. If you can afford to do this yourself, it would be a great way to see part of our country and it's landscape. A big enough van would allow you a little space to set up a cot in the back. Or if you have tow capability with your vehicle, tow a trailer.

[patrz]

We two old retired folk would like to move to your area. We are on fixed incomes and are looking for a modest 2bed. for around $200,000 CASH. Is there hope for us?

[minorbrew]

Dragonslayer, Nice post, with the pictures and all, and a balanced and reasonably accurate picture of HumCo. You ought to be in real estate.
minorbrew

[Beauty84]

im a 24 year old gal thats looking to move to eureka area,but im gonna start out by visiting to see if this is the town for me if theres someone else that is gonna be doin the same ting then contact me id like to chat and possibly not ave to do this alone.you can email me at Cali23@att.net

[NorthernCalifornia]

Originally Posted by patrz

We two old retired folk would like to move to your area. We are on fixed incomes and are looking for a modest 2bed. for around $200,000 CASH. Is there hope for us?

absolutely.

[happ]

I have nephews attending Humboldt State [probably ground zero for the Green party] & love it\ plan to stay forever if they can get jobs. It is a beautiful county with unbelievable redwood forests\ rivers\ coastline. Even the marijuana smoke-ins at the beaches is unique to Humboldt county [though they probably do the same thing in Santa Cruz

In some ways, Humboldt county is more like the old California of small towns & lots of open space.

[TheDragonslayer]

Originally Posted by happ

I have nephews attending Humboldt State [probably ground zero for the Green party] & love it\ plan to stay forever if they can get jobs. It is a beautiful county with unbelievable redwood forests\ rivers\ coastline. Even the marijuana smoke-ins at the beaches is unique to Humboldt county [though they probably do the same thing in Santa Cruz

In some ways, Humboldt county is more like the old California of small towns & lots of open space.

I grew up in Pittsburg in the bay area and when I moved here to Humboldt county in 1992, it reminded me of parts of the bay area from the early sixties. Especially the east bay.

[minorbrew]

Originally Posted by patrz

We two old retired folk would like to move to your area. We are on fixed incomes and are looking for a modest 2bed. for around $200,000 CASH. Is there hope for us?

PATRZ, If your are still interested in real estate in Humboldt County, I am associated with a real estate office in this area and would be happy to put you in touch with an outstanding realtor here. I think you would find him very knowledgeable and helpful. Please contact me by direct mail on this forum if I can be of help.
minorbrew