I have been communicating with an invester client from southern California for the past week and since I work in both Del Norte and Humboldt counties, I have been sending him investment properties in both areas.  Recently, he asked me a great question which I replied to. 

By the way if you were to invest your money on a property in Northern California what city would you invest in and why?

If I had the money to invest up here, it would be in Arcata because it is a college town, it is home to Humboldt State University, and the values and rents will always appreciate.  But there is another catch, the prices in Arcata are amongst the highest in the county.  So another place would be Crescent City, 1 hour to the north of Arcata, because the homes are still fairly priced and the economy is growing there.  They have a State Prison that brings great jobs to the people, as well as a new Home Depot, a new Super Wal-Mart being built soon, and a Wal-greens being built.  If these big box stores are locating in Crescent City, they must have done their research and know that the area is growing.  They also have plans to build a Casino resort on the south end of town.  So I think it is good to buy into Crescent City now because the homes are still priced lower than most areas of CA and there is room to appreciate in value.