ANYONE LIVE IN FORT BRAGG???

I am thinking of relocating up to Fort Bragg, and I was wondering if others on this forum live up there.  If so, would you mind sharing your insight about what it's like?  How are the people?  How's the grocery shopping?  How's the diving/fishing?  I would most likely rent for a year to see for myself, but then buy a place with a little land to get away from it all.  The last time I spent time up there, the most disturbing thing I noticed was a fairly prevalent Meth problem.  Other than that, it seems like the perfect place to live.  Thanks in advance!

I am thinking of relocating up to Fort Bragg, and I was wondering if others on this forum live up there.  If so, would you mind sharing your insight about what it's like?  How are the people?  How's the grocery shopping?  How's the diving/fishing?  I would most likely rent for a year to see for myself, but then buy a place with a little land to get away from it all.  The last time I spent time up there, the most disturbing thing I noticed was a fairly prevalent Meth problem.  Other than that, it seems like the perfect place to live.  Thanks in advance!

We are staying in town now, but are looking for land to purchase nearby (Caspar-Albion area). I know others also live here and have done so longer than me so maybe they will chime in.  I think pot is more prevalent than meth, but the pot heads don't bother me because they are mellow.  I can't say there is no crime because there is but it is better than where we previously lived.   

Shopping for food is not an issue as we have a Safeway Along with Harvest market and a few smaller markets. 

Many doctors are not taking new patients or there are delays in getting appointments so we go to Santa Rosa for health care.  We plan Costco, Walmart and Home Depot trips around other appointments and make a day of it when we have to make the drive. 

I love the variety of fishing and diving and this is the main reason why I want to live close to the ocean. 

I am no hippie tree hugger but like to eat organic and live a self sustaining lifestyle so I get along with them.  Tourist help the town run so not bothered by them either.     I don't talk politics with people here because I am no liberal and there seems to be more of them that speak out here.  Just come to one of the parades and you will see what I mean. 

I love Fort Bragg! My grandpa has lived there for 20+ years in his retirement; he is a old school diver/fisherman/hunter and chose to live there because it's so great. Some of my favorite fishing and diving spots are up there- wish I was the one relocating. Good luck!

Thanks guys!  I think I'm going to like living up there, can't wait to get out of Santa Rosa and get closer to the salt!  I'm a nurse, so I'll probably be either working at that hospital or commuting a few days a week down to Sonoma or Marin counties.  What do others do for a living up there?  Is there still a large commercial fishing industry?

When we went up to Fort Bragg for the salmon run in July, the locals on the beach were asking us for our fish guts to fertilize their plants.

According to this slideshow, pot accounts for 2/3 of the Mendocino economy: http://www.cnbc.com/id/28675227/page/1.

When we went up to Fort Bragg for the salmon run in July, the locals on the beach were asking us for our fish guts to fertilize their plants.

According to this slideshow, pot accounts for 2/3 of the Mendocino economy: http://www.cnbc.com/id/28675227/page/1.

Yeah, I'm sure CNBC is really an authority and in the know on this, specifically the quantitative value of a predominantly unreported industry. I believe if it is that large a percentage, the area would be much more prosperous and the IRS would be looking at it more closely. Then again, maybe I have my head in the sand, I dunno. I have been in Mendo over 20 years, a Sonoma County escapee.

Oh, I'm well aware of the amount of marijuana up there and it's largely positive effect on the local economy.  I'm more concerned with living up there and getting along with most people.  My wife will be accompanying me of course, and it would be nice to know what perks there are for her in such an isolated area.  Thanks again for the replies so far though!

I've lived here since about 1992, an escapee from SF.  We raised our kids here and own a small house in town.  Compared to the Bay Area, living in Fort Bragg is like another era.  Everyone pretty much knows each other, I rarely lock the door to my house, and I live four blocks from work.

I love it here and couldn't imagine living anywhere else.  It's a friendly place, with a much slower pace than what you might be used to.  The surfing, diving, and fishing is great.  You're gonna love it.  Man, I get to check the surf every morning!

I love it here and couldn't imagine living anywhere else.  It's a friendly place, with a much slower pace than what you might be used to.  The surfing, diving, and fishing is great.  You're gonna love it.  Man, I get to check the surf every morning!

.

Thanks for that, Dave, I agree whole heartedly, I neglected to add that component, cnbc's absentee assessment rankles me.

The vibe and population in M Co remind me of what it was like as a kid in So Co. If a slower more connected community is whst you are sfter, you'll find it. DG was correct, too.

That was perfect Dave, thanks

My wife's childhood friend built a house just off the highway on the south side of the bridge. Now she wishes she had learned more about the area before she chose her property. Where she is, she gets very little sunshine. A short drive inland results in a major improvement in the weather.

My wife's childhood friend built a house just off the highway on the south side of the bridge. Now she wishes she had learned more about the area before she chose her property. Where she is, she gets very little sunshine. A short drive inland results in a major improvement in the weather.

Especially if you want to grow food. 1 mile or so makes a world of a difference.  It can take   Days to air dry a wetsuit vs a couple hours just up the road. 

Yeah, that one I actually thought of already.  I would like to grow 90% of my own fruits and vegetables, so inland is a must when I look for property. 

Yeah, that one I actually thought of already.  I would like to grow 90% of my own fruits and vegetables, so inland is a must when I look for property.

That strategy will help considerably on the price of the home as well - next to the water is crazy expensive.

I wish I could move up there. Unfortunately, my wife would never go for it...