What's investing in far Northern California like? Weed, Eureka et

[Sasha Josephs]

What's investing in far Northern California like? Any thoughts on areas like Weed, Eureka, Redding, and in between/on the way?! What's your experience been?

[Account Closed]

I lived in Redding and Crescent City - both for a total of around 4 years - from the east Bay Area.

It's a different world up there.  Very redneck.  Lots of low income people with literally no front teeth.  Especially Crescent City.  I was amazed at how I'd go to stores like CVS and Home Depot and the clerks who asked you if you needed help had no front teeth.  It's just accepted there.  I'm not judging them for not having dental insurance, I'm just saying if you are from San Francisco you will have huge culture shock just driving 4 - 6 hours north.

When I was in Crescent City, that was during the 2016 election and there were literally huge altars to Trump, too - giant wooden structures with huge decorated Trump signs/banners, etc.  And there is a ton of religion.  Lots and lots of nice Jehovahs' Witnesses or Latter Day Saints folk.

I got along with all of them just fine.  I used to live in the mountains of WA in my back to nature days with loggers and hunters.  So, I'm not judging.

Just saying, for a San Francisco investor looking to invest up there, you need to be aware of the fact that just because it's in CA, it is an entirely different universe.

Oh and yeah, they are serious about separating from CA to form their own Jefferson State.  Dead serious.  There are jingles on the radio up there about pot dispensaries.  Ironically, even though it is extremely red, it's also very much about pot.

I'd expect hard use of rentals.  Plus, if it's near the coast, there is a lot of harsh, wet weather - so mold is real up there.  Redding is God-Awful hot, so air conditioning is a must and be ready to maintain a/c units.  In affordable areas of Redding, there is a lot of crime.  Lots of homeless anywhere near downtown, especially.

Depending on the area, you also need to look at fire hazard and if you can get it insured and how much it will cost to insure.  For instance, you can find really nice cabins around Cobb, CA, that you could pretty easily AirBnB, but the only reason I can think of that they're for sale for so cheap and on the market for so long is because the fire insurance is through the roof - so to speak.  You can probably only get insurance from the last resort state insurance.  But, the danger is so real that you could lose your investment to fire and then who knows how long it will take to get insurance money and how much you'd end up getting.  Some who lost homes in fires still don't have their money.

Just go in with eyes wide open.