r/Humboldt • • Apr 01 '25

Moving to Humboldt Preempting all future "Should I Move to Humboldt?" Posts

450 Upvotes
  • Yes, it really is beautiful here.
  • There are a myriad of communities and organizations here, if you're willing and able to reach out, you won't be lonely for long.
    • Our Queer community has been growing and thriving in the last few years.
    • Churches of all denominations abound.
    • There is one Synagogue in Eureka, and a Chabad House in Arcata.
  • Temperatures on the coast are very mild, it rarely if ever dips past freezing in winter and almost never hops over 85º in the summer. Inland gets a lot colder, and a loooot hotter.
    • Climate change has made the rainy season unpredictable. We have weeks of rain interspersed with weeks of sun.
  • We're in California - natural disasters are expected.
    • Earthquakes! There have been a couple of large ones in the last few years - the epicenters were near Petrolia, towards the south-west part of the county.
      • Large swaths of the coast are a Tsunami Zone.
    • Fire! For the most part, fires happen inland, where things are hotter and dryer. Due to terrain and ecology, the coast is generally protected, but it's not an impossibility.
      • Air quality can get pretty bad all over the county during fire season.
  • Generally the central part of the county - Eureka and Arcata - is liberal, the further away you get from there, on average, the more conservative things get.
    • That being said, our federal rep, Huffman, is a dem, and our state reps are also both dems.
  • The housing market is tough, just like the rest of the state. If you're planning to buy, that gives you a little more flexibility. If you're planning on renting, pickings are slim.
    • General advice for renters: find a place that meets your basic needs and take it. Once you're more settled you can keep an eye out for better options.
    • General advice for buyers: Don't purchase land sight-unseen.
    • Landlords around here are not very pet friendly. A fair number of the property management companies have breed restrictions.
  • Employment is a rough one. There is little to no industry in the area, due to the decline of logging and weed legalization. If you can, try to secure a job before moving.
    • Here is a list of the largest employers in the area.
    • The county and cities maintain their own job listing sites, as do most of the tribes.
    • Lost Coast Outpost, a local news org, also runs job listings.
    • Ironically(?), large numbers of employers in the area require clean drug tests - including marijuana.
  • Reports on the lack of healthcare are not exaggerated. We have a hard time hiring and retaining providers across the board, and there has been an increasing reliance on telehealth.
    • The largest PCP in the area, Open Door, is an FQHC with some ability to take private insurance, and their waitlists are miles long.
    • St. Joes is the largest hospital in the area, and they have some specialist services, but waitlists are also long and generally require a PCP referral, even if your insurance does not.
    • The VA here only provides basic services, and shuttles patients down to SF for anything beyond that.
    • On the whole, if you require specialist services, you will probably have to travel out of the area. The next closest services are a 3-4 hours drive.
  • As with many other parts of the state, we have a large number unhoused/transient people here, although perhaps disproportionate given the size of the whole population. This is due to a multitude of factors, and it is not a homogenous group.
    • The university does not have enough student housing, and there is an overall housing shortage, leaving many students out in the rain. (see: the above section on housing)
    • Traditionally, the weed industry has filtered people in and out seasonally, however, as that sector declines, there has been a reduction in numbers on that front. (See: the above section on employment)
    • Just as anywhere, we have our issues with addiction and mental health disorders, exacerbated by a lack of available resources. (See: the above section on healthcare)
  • Buying stuff: It’s doable, but don’t expect the same kind of variety you’re used to.
    • Lots of smaller, locally owned businesses to choose from.
    • We have a Costco, a Target, and a tiiiiny Walmart.
    • Locally owned hardware and Ace franchises only, HD & Lowe’s are persona non grata.
    • (Possibly excessive) Local and chain grocery options, including Asian and Mexican specialty markets.
    • Arcata has a year round farmers market on Saturdays.
    • Amazon Prime does not uphold 2 day shipping here.
  • Food options are good, but limited.
    • We specialize in Sushi, Mexican, and Pizza restaurants.
    • Salsa is served in syrup bottles.
    • There is one Indian restaurant (it’s excellent), a handful of Thai spots, and one Korean fusion place.
    • Food trucks have been gaining traction in recent years which has added some more variety.
  • Everything closes by 9. Even places that don’t make sense to not be open.
    • Except Toni’s. Chocolate malts and burgers are available whenever your heart desires.
  • Travel to and from the area is inconvenient.
    • The closest "larger" metropolitan areas are Grants Pass/Medford, Redding, and Santa Rosa.
      • Coincidentally those are also the nearest Trader Joes locations.
    • The SF Bay Area is a 5+ hour drive. Portland is a 7+ hour drive.
    • Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) is serviced by United Airlines, Breeze, and Alaska Airlines.
      • United flies direct to SF, LA, and Denver.
      • Breeze flies direct to Burbank, Las Vegas, and Provo.
      • Alaska flies to Seattle.
      • Flights are frequently delayed due to fog. Give the Wiki page on the airport a read sometime if you want know why.
    • The next closest airports are in Santa Rosa, Redding, and Medford. They're also small, but offer slightly different, and sometimes cheaper, direct flights.
    • Amtrak runs a bus service to Martinez, which then connects to other trains and busses.
    • The county runs the Redwood Coast Express, which goes between Eureka and Ukiah.
    • There is decent public transit, people can and do live here without a car.

Humboldt is a beautiful place full of amazing people. To anyone who decides it's worth it, Welcome Aboard. To anyone who decides it's not for them, fair enough.

Residents, let me know if I missed anything!

If you have specific questions about moving to Humboldt, or something that isn’t covered in this post, please create a separate post instead of replying in the comments here.


r/Humboldt • • 7h ago

Misc./Other Free boxes

5 Upvotes

Hi guys, we just moved here and have quite a few boxes ready for their next use! Anyone interested? I just thought I’d throw it out there before taking them to get recycled. Let me know!


r/Humboldt • • 11h ago

Help/Needing Info Where can I bring my kitten for vet services???

9 Upvotes

My kitten who needs vaccine shots and on top of it has been sneezing like crazy and we fear has a respiratory infection can’t be seen by anyone without a $90 initial exam anywhere or they aren’t taking new clients. We’re in Arcata but we’ve called fortuna and even crescent city and they either want to break our bank or can’t see us. Where can I go?? What can I do?? I’m freaking out and am devastated at how difficult this process has been and makes me fear for the future that if my kitty has anymore issues and needs medical attention that she won’t be able to get it because I’m not already a client with these vets :(


r/Humboldt • • 3h ago

Life in Humboldt Census question about housing.

0 Upvotes

How much would you pay a month for a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom duplex (half house) in fortuna, with a half backyard, half deck, and half a half a garage, no pets allowed? In Fortuna.

Not a landlord, property manager or anything in the business, genuinely curious because someone I spoke to someone who’s ridiculous with their expectations talked to me. What’s your estimate?

Genuine feedback would be appreciated because the housing market seems outright delusional, unless you know the owner.


r/Humboldt • • 1d ago

Life in Humboldt Thanks for everything

193 Upvotes

I flew back from your gorgeous county yesterday and am working back at my job so it’s back to reality

I have never been in more of awe of natural beauty than this place, the walking and driving to landmarks was so scenic. I loved the different vibes inbetween each town

I felt like the people were fantastic it was nice to interact with everyone. Thanks for one of my favorite vacations :)


r/Humboldt • • 15h ago

Help/Needing Info King tides and how high they got

8 Upvotes

Wondering if there is any website, or app that can tell you how high the tides got.

Today we’re suppose to get between 9.00 and 9.5. Is there a place I can check to see where it capped at?

edit to add: Thanks everybody for the replies. NOAA is exactly what I was looking for


r/Humboldt • • 8h ago

Help/Needing Info Communal housing/intentional communities?

1 Upvotes

I live in Eureka currently. I’m wondering if there are any functional intentional communities in the surrounding area (anywhere within 30 minutes or so). Working professional exploring options! Thanks for any leads (:


r/Humboldt • • 8h ago

Help/Needing Info Any known paving scams going around the county right now?

0 Upvotes

r/Humboldt • • 1d ago

Life in Humboldt Nice neighbors

118 Upvotes

Last week my daughter heard the ice cream truck, but by the time we found a few bucks and ran out the door it was already on its way. We ran after it and called out but it was too late. Some of our neighbors heard us calling. They had just bought some ice cream, and they realized we were too late, so they offered us some of theirs. It was so nice I almost cried. Thank you, kind neighbors. You have inspired me to be kinder too! This is the kind of neighbor I want to be. I just felt like sharing this happy story. Made me feel very loved.


r/Humboldt • • 17h ago

Review/Recommendation Cheapest oil change in Eureka?

3 Upvotes

I will be driving my 2010 Honda Civic on a 2,000 mile round trip in Nov/Dec and will need an oil change before I leave.


r/Humboldt • • 15h ago

Questions about Moving Zillow zestimates

2 Upvotes

I know that they vary quite a bit in general, but have people found them to be generally (in)accurate in Humboldt?


r/Humboldt • • 15h ago

Life in Humboldt A Halloween Holiday Cabaret at The Redwood Playhouse!

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2 Upvotes

r/Humboldt • • 1d ago

Local News/Politics Humboldt Made Takes Over Former ‘Humboldt Bay Social Club’ Venue on the Samoa Peninsula, Rebranding it as 'The

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lostcoastoutpost.com
44 Upvotes

Humboldt Made is cool. Nice to see them finally get an official home-base.

Full title is "The Landing"


r/Humboldt • • 14h ago

Events/Stuff to Do Halloween Week at Richards’ Goat Tavern

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0 Upvotes

Swipe through pics for details!


r/Humboldt • • 1d ago

Misc./Other Former Mayor Vandalism

30 Upvotes

I’m just wondering if anyone else hates looking at the ugly spray paint jobs that poorly attempt to cover tags around town as much as I do. I understand he spends his time spraying over tags in an attempt to combat the graffiti, but it honestly ends up leaving the surface of what he’s painted looking even worse. I know he does this without permission from most residents and business owners too. He continues to spray my trash cans and fence without even asking and I’m frankly getting sick of it. I doubt that what he’s doing is even legal in all honesty. What are your opinions on the matter if you have any?


r/Humboldt • • 1d ago

Help/Needing Info Are small toys ok for trick-or-treaters?

16 Upvotes

I bought a bunch of party-favor type toys, bouncy balls, etc. instead of candy to give out this year, but my mom saw and insists I'll get sued for someone choking on them. Fun-size candy bars and gumballs are just as small/chokable though. IDK. Should I throw them away and buy large stuff to give out instead?


r/Humboldt • • 1d ago

Help/Needing Info Lost cat

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13 Upvotes

Just lost my cat over Myrtle on Eureka last night. If you’ve seen him, please let me know. He’s an incredibly sweet black cat. Just got neutered, any information is amazing.


r/Humboldt • • 2d ago

Help/Needing Info Looking for actor!! ~45-70 y/o

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52 Upvotes

Hello!! Im a film student at Calpoly and I very much need someone to act in a short film called Slughouse. Its about a guy named Reggie with a slug phobia living in a house with his roommate Jones. More and more slugs appear and Jones doesnt believe him. A strange man calling himself The Exterminator offers his services, but Jones is skeptical.

The Exterminator: 45-70 y/o, real age

range indeterminate. Doesn’t have a ton of

experience with lungs. Speaks syllabically,

thinks of speaking as air expenditure and

mouth movements, almost like phrasing in a

wind instrument.

Leads on where I can look for actors would also be appreciated. Shooting would be Mondays/Wednesdays, although exact dates havent been nailed down. Im hoping we can get the Exterminator's part done in just one session.

None of us have a ton of money but I'll get you lunch!

Please DM me/comment and/or check out the linktree (https://linktr.ee/oustedbeast) so we can set up an audition!

The link also has a pitch deck/slides how going over the general vibe of the story as well as a link to the character profiles.

Were also looking for someone to play Reggie and Jones but finding an actor who isnt a 20 something is difficult.

Feel free to ask questions! Thank you!


r/Humboldt • • 2d ago

Misc./Other How to Merge Into Traffic

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77 Upvotes

Almost every time I'm driving south into Eureka and there's a lane closed for the bridge repairs at the Eureka slough, I notice most people start lining up in the left lane well before they need to. I stay in the right lane until I have to merge. I'm sure people think it's a jerk move, but it's actually what traffic engineers want people to do.


r/Humboldt • • 2d ago

Life in Humboldt Oh Craigslist...

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116 Upvotes

What would we do without you?


r/Humboldt • • 2d ago

Help/Needing Info Water bills

14 Upvotes

I’m curious what people are paying monthly for water and sewage through Humboldt County services district? Mines been pretty high lately with no big changes in usage. I’m gonna call tomorrow to get a better understanding of the bill. For reference we’re in a two bedroom house with two people, washer and dryer and dishwasher, if that makes any difference. TIA!


r/Humboldt • • 2d ago

Help/Needing Info Alternate to M*randa's thrift stores

20 Upvotes

Local here

I like to give away big blankets to the homeless and I used to get them at murderandas for like a dollar or two each. Most thrift stores charge $10+ for a good blanket and I can't afford to give like that.

I stopped buying when the news came out and haven't found a good alternate since.

Any recommendations? I wouldn't drive past fortuna or Trinidad

Thanks 🙏


r/Humboldt • • 1d ago

Help/Needing Info New guy needing help

0 Upvotes

What's up homies. I'm from socal originally, currently getting my BSN in SLC and then strongly considering moving to the area, namely Arcata. Strongly enough that I booked a trip out there November 4th to 7th to come check the area out!

So couple things

  1. I wanna meet some locals while I'm there! I don't drink but I like hanging out in bars, love punk goth and metal music, love karaoke, love smoking weed

  2. I also love cycling, going on walks, big Strava user. Any good Strava communities in the area? Considering renting a bicycle to ride the area a bit. And looking forward to seeing the redwoods again.

  3. I'm pretty damn set on moving to Humboldt. What are the odds someone could get my in contact with employees at the Providence hospital in Eureka? It's the hospital I'm hoping to end up at to start my nursing career.


r/Humboldt • • 2d ago

Events/Stuff to Do 10/30 Show at Rampart!

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12 Upvotes

Punk/Metal show at Rampart Indoor Skatepark on All Hallows Eve Eve! All ages, $20 at the door without costume, $15 with costume! There’s also a 2-for-$20 pre-sale on Eventbrite, I’ll link in the comments (:


r/Humboldt • • 2d ago

Local News/Politics Paint Down the Storm drain

19 Upvotes

Does anyone know what’s going on with the dutchy’s building at 11th and K in Arcata? I drove past this
Morning to see the painter working there was washing a large amount of paint out of a drop cloth and straight down the gutter. Was unable to get a photo as I was driving but I’m sure a lot of people would be pissed to see it.