r/Humboldt Apr 01 '25

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

430 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 8h ago

Local News/Politics Lettuce pray.

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46 Upvotes

r/Humboldt 1h ago

Life in Humboldt Houda Point

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Upvotes

July 21, 2026


r/Humboldt 5h ago

Help/Needing Info Found dogs

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17 Upvotes

Anybody missing these sweet pups? Found near the top of Humboldt Hill rd..


r/Humboldt 12h ago

Local News/Politics Field workers in Shasta-Trinity National Forest rescued from being held hostage

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13 Upvotes

r/Humboldt 46m ago

Review/Recommendation Walk in nail salons?

Upvotes

Arcata, Eureka, or McKinleyville. Just looking for a last minute spa pedicure with color and manicure with gel French tips. Thanks!!


r/Humboldt 11h ago

Events/Stuff to Do lgbt friendly bars in eureka/arcata?

6 Upvotes

what the title says. i'm (lesbian 26) planning a trip to humboldt county. i get that there's no explicitly gay bars in the area but what's my closest bet? any lgbt community events?


r/Humboldt 1d ago

Life in Humboldt Just Trying To Help

40 Upvotes

I was just stopping by because I just helped your neighbor save 2$ on their gas bill, and figured you could use some help too. Also I saw you had some leaves in your gutter that's been there for months, I noticed it when I was just casin- checking to see if your dogs were o.k., because they were barking a lot.

Also what is this sign that says No Soul searching or something in red text, its like right in my face at eye level? Anyway I left a flyer and knocked on your door, but then I left because there was someone yelling drunk and was unintelligible and I got scared. Just thought I'd make this post on reddit in case they threw away the flyer because I really just want to help.


r/Humboldt 17h ago

Misc./Other Need lawn care??

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9 Upvotes

Need lawn care or know anyone who does?? I’m licensed, I’m cheap, and I’m good at what I do.


r/Humboldt 1d ago

Misc./Other No Soliciting

44 Upvotes

You can have a visible No Soliciting sign and people will still come banging on your door, yelling and acting like an emergency is happening just to talk to you about your gas bill and how they JUST helped your neighbor save $2. To stand there and continuously ask to see your gas bill. Lady, what the fuck are you doing?

Edit: for sure just going to let them knock and yell next time lol I'll check if it's an emergency but otherwise no thanks to dealing with this.


r/Humboldt 21h ago

Life in Humboldt Tour Boat

10 Upvotes

This is my first year in Humboldt and I noticed a blue and white boat going around and around the bay. Is it a tour company? On that note what’s with the giant yacht on dock A?


r/Humboldt 20h ago

Help/Needing Info Any Places for clothe donation?

8 Upvotes

I recently moved to town and unpacked all my clothes and don’t have room for anything, id like to donate them instead of tossing all of it in the dumpster. Mostly teenage and young adult wear. Is there any good donation centers, churches or groups in the humboldt area that makes sure it goes to people in need?


r/Humboldt 6h ago

Help/Needing Info SHARK TEETH

0 Upvotes

does anyone know where i can acquire 6 shark teeth in fortuna/eureka/arcata by sunday? i need them for a drag act


r/Humboldt 1d ago

Help/Needing Info Guitar Lessons

8 Upvotes

Does anyone have any recommendations for guitar teachers out here? I’m trying to get into it and would prefer a teacher over YouTube


r/Humboldt 1d ago

Local News/Politics Is this the Onion or is Honsal just like that?

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30 Upvotes

"At DEA Hearing in Virginia, Sheriff Honsal Testified in Favor of Cannabis Legalization and Regulation, According to People in Attendance

"Well, if the anti-weed states of Nebraska, Idaho and Indiana thought they’d found an ally in Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal, they may have been disappointed by the testimony he offered during last week’s DEA rescheduling hearing in Virginia."


r/Humboldt 21h ago

Help/Needing Info Boxing / Jiu Jitsu / Thai Boxing Gyms

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to reach out and ask if there any recommendations for Boxing or Jiu Jitsu or even Thai Boxing in the Eureka/Arcata/Mckinelyville! I wanted to hear if anyone had a place they feel would be great to try or check out and if they have insight in hours or backgrounds about the trainers! Looking to get in shape for Winter/Spring! Any recommendations welcome and would be great!


r/Humboldt 15h ago

Review/Recommendation Nail / Massage Shops?

1 Upvotes

Looking for a nail place, I have sensitive feet/toenails that are partial to getting ingrowns and am in desperate need of a pedi. I’m also looking for any general recommendations for a massage place


r/Humboldt 22h ago

Review/Recommendation Hair dressers for 4a hair?

3 Upvotes

Hair is getting too long for a barbershop fade.

I want someone who can give me the shape and style I need with my curly type 4 hair.


r/Humboldt 1d ago

Help/Needing Info Place to practice

6 Upvotes

Hi Humboldt! Not sure if this is the place but I figured I’d give it a shot. I’m a massage therapist, looking to rent a room in Arcata preferably. Down to share a room / rent with others. Let me know if you are a body worker/ esthetician looking for a roomie or have any suggestions of where to look!
Thanks!


r/Humboldt 1d ago

Events/Stuff to Do Improv Show & Karaoke at Cali Planet

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7 Upvotes

r/Humboldt 1d ago

Help/Needing Info Be Aware of this irresponsible dude. 🐾

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245 Upvotes

Humboldt Community:

Alert regarding an irresponsible and aggressive individual at Table Bluff Beach. 🌊  

Please share and stay alert.‼️

Last Friday, around 3:30 PM, a friend and I had an incident at Table Bluff Beach involving a man and his pack of dogs.

My friend and I were walking along the beach with our pets after enjoying the nice weather. We were heading back towards the car—located about a third of a mile away near the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area—when, from over 200 yards out, I started counting the dogs I could see in the distance. There were 4, then 7... I stopped counting once I reached 9 or more; in the end, there were 2 adult dogs and nearly a dozen puppies, roughly 2 to 4 months old—black German Shepherds. There was a man in his 40s, with no leashes in sight and no one else helping him. I warned my friend that we were about to cross paths with them. I took out my phone solely to see if there were any other adults with the dogs, and sure enough, there was only one person. HE DID NOT gave any signal us to stop or give any warning. He saw me take out my phone from more than 50 yards away, and the only thing he shouted aggressively was for me not to take photos of his dogs. By the time I lowered my phone, we were face-to-face with him; he was shouting and angry—but above all frustrated—because his own yelling and agitation had alarmed his pack of dogs. They ran toward us, and we found ourselves completely surrounded by the pack while he continued shouting. He gave us no proper warning—none at all—nor did he signal us with his arms. His dogs were not aggressive toward us or our pets(THANKFULLY) and we avoided paying any attention to his pack. I did apologize for the situation and mentioned that we didn't want any trouble and were already leaving. We couldn't head back along the beach towards our car; instead, we found ourselves climbing a dune because my friend's pet had run off before we put her back on the leash, terrified by the whole scene and this person's chaotic behavior. Clearly, he couldn't control his dogs on his own; we had tried to avoid contact with his pack, but there were too many of them, and they were scattered everywhere. Our pet hid in the brush, and we had to spread out—covering a radius of about 100 yards—to search for her and try to locate her using her tracker.

 The man approached me aggressively, still agitated, demanding that I delete the photo and asking what on earth we were thinking by walking along the beach toward him. I replied, "We weren't walking towards you; we were heading back to the car, and we’d been on the beach for quite a while without any issues." He kept shouting at us to leave, while my friend and I explained that we were looking for our pet. My instinct told me not to delete the photo, so I ignored him. He kept signaling for us to leave, but we repeatedly told him we were searching for our pet; he then exclaimed that he wouldn't help us find her unless I deleted the photo and shouted "You're a fucking bit..."

Losing your temper and confronting two women with that kind of tone—combined with the insults and a sense of entitlement about monopolizing the beach and questioning why we were there with our pets—makes me suspect that this person runs an illegal pet breeding and sales business. And even if you *do* have a license for your "business," buddy, let me tell you: you acted in the most volatile and irresponsible way possible with your pack of dogs. You surely live in that white van, moving from beach to beach and causing trouble for those of us who actually walk our pets on leashes and act responsibly.

You could have warned us in a different way—or simply shouldn't be out alone with that many dogs if you don't have help or leashes. 

 I understand you probably got overconfident because it wasn't a crowded beach and felt safe enough to be irresponsible. And, of course, I have the right and freedom to take photos of my surroundings, especially in an open public place.🌊

Lucky for us we found our pet after an hour later, flagging a car while was passing by the and let him know we had a lost pet down the road. THANK YOU FOR STOPPING! 🙏


r/Humboldt 17h ago

Misc./Other Did anyone bite on this craigslist add? 2 Free 4runners?

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1 Upvotes

Just curious if anyone clapped eyes on these. I wonder what they looked like?


r/Humboldt 1d ago

Help/Needing Info Does E-Z Moving Service still exist? What are the alternatives?

4 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm moving back to the area in about 10 days and I'm getting nervous about the moving service I hired. I got them through U-Haul as part of a package with the truck I'm renting, and was told by U-Haul that the moving company (E-Z Moving Service) would contact me within 24 hours to confirm. That was over a week ago and I haven't heard a peep. According to their Yelp page, they're permanently closed, and their phone never connects. Is this an issue with U-Haul, offering moving services from companies that no longer exist? I paid $245 for the moving service, and I'm confused as to where that money went.

I also struggled to find any affordable moving services in the area. I only found one online, and their prices are double what the companies partnering with U-Haul have listed. However, I wasn't able to find any information about most of the companies U-Haul listed. Is my only option really to pay $400+ for two hours of moving? Should I get a refund on the E-Z reservation? I'm just so confused as to why U-Haul would suggest so many companies that seem to not exist.

Edit: I was able to get an updated phone number from U-Haul for E-Z Moving Services and confirmed my reservation directly with E-Z. They should really update their information online!


r/Humboldt 23h ago

Review/Recommendation Wedding DJs willing to travel to Whitethorn

2 Upvotes

I am on the hunt for a very specific DJ! Must have turn tables and be able to play vinyl and be okay with other professional djs using your decks. We do have our own we can bring but would prefer not to. Thank you!


r/Humboldt 2d ago

Help/Needing Info The board walk is a good place to stare out to the fog and yearn

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130 Upvotes