When you think of the quintessential small California town, you are probably picturing a stunning, rocky coastline with either palm or pine trees dotting the coast, a walkable downtown with ma and pa shops, and mountains in the background.
Well, if I just described your thoughts, this place exists in Eureka, CA.
This charming community is situated on the coast and boasts stunning Victorian homes.
But, while this may be your dream town, it doesn’t mean you should indefinitely live here.
Let’s dive more into the pros and cons of living in Eureka, CA, to determine if this is the proper town for you!
Contents
Pros of Living in Eureka, CA
Starting off this article are the many positive aspects of living in Eureka.
1. Amazing Arts Scene
When you visit Eureka and are surrounded by so much natural beauty, you’ll quickly understand why this small town has such a burgeoning art scene.
The low cost of living combined with the town’s connection to nature and the quietness of the area make Eureka an artist’s haven.
The town features several theater companies, museums, ad art galleries which residents and visitors regularly enjoy.
2. An Endless Number of Outdoor Activities
Regardless of the remaining pros and cons on this list, there’s no denying that Eureka, CA is a stunning place to live.
Given its picturesque seaside location, Eureka offers endless outdoor activities to enjoy.
Since Eureka is in Northern California, the climate is mild year-round, so you’ll find residents and visitors walking, biking, and hiking along the countless trails in the area.
Also, you can enjoy the many beaches and parks for swimming, picnicking or relaxing in the sun.
Furthermore, its small-town location, few boats, and no pollution make it one of the best fishing destinations in the state.
3. Excellent Diversity
With a population of only around 27,000 residents, Eureka features amazing race and religious diversity, not to mention many individuals with science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degrees.
This resident diversity results in an open-minded community with excellent ethnic food options and innovative thinking that can be carried to the rest of the state and country.
4. Friendly Residents
In addition to being a historic and beautiful Northern California city, the residents of Eureka are friendly and warm and take great pride in their town.
Since there are many activities and attractions in and around Eureka, residents are thrilled to share their favorite places with those new to town or just passing through.
In addition, the locals are incredibly proud of all traditions and take every moment to celebrate them during the year.
5. Little Severe Storm Risk
Given its location in Northern California with mild weather, Eureka rarely gets severe storms, despite regular rainfall.
However, constant rain can cause mudslides and flooding, depending on the amount received.
Additionally, Eureka is just north of the San Andreas Faul that runs through most of the state, so earthquakes and tremors are regular.
6. Low Cost of Living
Depending on where you’re coming from, Eureka has a low cost of living by California standards.
This is because the city has low housing costs and is close to major agricultural sections.
Therefore, residents have easy access to affordable and fresh produce and meat.
Additionally, most small towns have lower living costs than major cities due to a lower population and lower demand.
7. High Government Spending
California is well-known for its high tax rate, and Eureka is no exception.
However, like in many of the larger California cities where the taxes seem to disappear, leaving unkept roads and poor infrastructure, the local Eureka government invests in its city.
As a result, Eureka is a clean and well-kept locale with beautiful parks and beaches, preserved monuments and historical locations, and well-serviced roads.
Seeing your tax dollars at work in Eureka is a rarity within towns and cities across the United States and a major plus for moving.
8. The City is Close to Nature
Eureka is close to mountains, forests, and the ocean, meaning there’s extensive flora and fauna to observe and enjoy.
With clean air and a mild climate, it’s easy to go fishing, bird watching, swimming in the ocean, hiking, or biking along a mountain trail or park.
As a result, residents are more connected with nature with so many outdoor activities than living in a major city like San Fransisco or Los Angeles.
Cons of Living in Eureka, CA
Sound good?
Before jumping in a moving truck or hiring movers, it’s essential to understand the negative aspects of living in Eureka, which include:
1. Can be Difficult to Find a Job
Since Eureka is a small town of only around 27,000 residents with no major cities nearby, finding a job can be difficult.
The largest industries in the area are healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation and food services.
If you are looking for an in-office tech job, it’s best to go five hours south to San Fransisco.
However, with so many employees moving to remote positions, it’s possible to live and work in Eureka and take the occasional trip to Silicon Valley as needed.
2. High Crime
Despite the natural beauty, Eureka is often considered one of the most dangerous cities in California per capita.
Recently, violent crimes have continued to rise and account for almost half of all crimes within the city limits, with property crimes comprising the other half.
In the dark alleys and shadows of this small town, many homeless people and drug addicts contribute significantly to the crime rate, especially surrounding theft and burglary.
The chance of becoming a violent or property crime victim in Eureka is one in 21.
3. Lack of Nightlife
Since Eureka is such a small town, expecting lackluster nightlife is correct.
While there are several clubs and bars, they close early, and there aren’t many live music or entertainment options.
Potential residents originating in large cities where bars and restaurants are open all night may be frustrated when searching for socializing opportunities and ways to let loose at night.
4. Many Summer Tourists
Eureka is a stunning getaway, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts across California and the United States.
Every summer, visitors flock to this town to hike, bike the trails, surf, go boating, scuba diving, and enjoy other outdoor activities.
Unfortunately, while this influx of tourists helps support the local economy, this small town is subjected to traffic jams, long lines at stores, and long waits at restaurants without a reservation.
It can be a significant headache for those living here to run the simplest errand.
5. Not Much to Do
When you first move to Eureka, you will enjoy all the art galleries and outdoor activities.
However, this will become second nature over time, and you may become bored.
The town is relatively small, so there’s a limit to the number of events and activities you can access.
The Law of Diminishing Margin Utility will quickly set in once you often start doing the same activities.
If you’re coming from another small town, you probably won’t have this issue, but those originating in a major city will quickly be bored.
San Francisco is around a five-hour drive, and Portland is almost seven hours, so Eureka is a bit isolated from major attractions.
6. Parts are Dirty
While the government does an excellent job of beautifying the city and maintaining the infrastructure, there are plenty of dirty and dingy parts of the city that you want to avoid.
As mentioned, Eureka has many homeless people and drug addicts for a town its size, and you will typically find them in the more run-down areas.
However, these areas are also where most of the crime occurs, so if you remain in the more touristy, beautiful areas, you won’t have a problem.
7. Restaurants Close by 8 PM
To make the nightlife worse, most restaurants close by 8 PM due to the small population and low demand for eating late.
Luckily, Eureka has a surprising number of dining options for such a small town, but you won’t be able to enjoy them past early evening.
Although this is considered early in large cities, it’s common in small towns worldwide.
With so few customers (if any) after 8 PM, remaining open will cause these restaurants to lose money.
8. Significant Rainfall
While there are some sunny days, the city is also known for its frequent and extensive rainfall.
The rain abundance has created a thriving agricultural community within the region where farmers grow cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, so you’re guaranteed to have fresh produce.
However, the steady rain can impact your mood and your plans.
Remember, this section of California is considered part of the Pacific Northwest, which is well-known for its frequent rainfall.
Pros and Cons of Living in Eureka, CA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Eureka, CA | Cons of Living in Eureka, CA |
|---|---|
| 1.Amazing Arts Scene | 1.Can be Difficult to Find a Job |
| 2. An Endless Number of Outdoor Activities | 2. High Crime |
| 3. Excellent Diversity | 3. Lack of Nightlife |
| 4. Friendly Residents | 4. Many Summer Tourists |
| 5. Little Severe Storm Risk | 5. Not Much to Do |
| 6. Low Cost of Living | 6. Parts are Dirty |
| 7. High Government Spending | 7. Restaurants Close by 8 PM |
| 8. The City is Close to Nature | 8. Significant Rainfall |
Eureka Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Eureka Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it feel like living in Eureka?
Residents describe living in Eureka as having a sparse suburban feel, even though the town is not close to a major city.
The town is laid-back and friendly, with no residents rushing to get to various places.
What is the closest airport to Eureka?
The closest major airport is Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV), which is approximately 17 miles from downtown Eureka.
This regional airport will connect you with major airports like San Fransisco International (SFO) and Los Angeles International (LAX).
You can also fly to other destinations on the West Coast and Pacific Northwest.
What is the Eureka fogburn?
Eureka can be a cold, grey, and wet place while the rest of California is baking in the sun.
However, the term fogburn occurs when it’s foggy outside by the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrating the clouds and fog, thus magnifying your skin.
It’s so mild and wet outside that you don’t realize you’re being burned.
You could sit comfortably outside for many hours; meanwhile, the UV rays are cooking your skin!
Does Eureka have many beaches?
While many beaches are situated along the coastline, Eureka only has Samoa Beach within the town limits.
Does it snow in Eureka?
The United States annual snowfall average is 27.8 inches with 106.2 days of precipitation (rain or snow).
Eureka averages 0.5 inches of snow annually with 123.9 days of precipitation.
However, the mild weather remains year-round, so it’s infrequent to get any snowfall, especially snow that sticks.
The cost of living here is not low I would like to know where you live or lived when you wrote this I am a full-time employee in a supervisory position at a hospital and I can barely make ends meet gas is too high and they’re charging 24.00$ for a flat of eggs from Winco and 24.00 for a teeny tiny Happy Birthday sign at Safeway
I agree but the major issue in Eureka is the crime rate.The city Officials refuse to correct the problem.The police have Job Security so they will not arrest anyone.Its up to the voters to solve the issue The Local Government Employees will vote against the public voters because its their JOB Security.