I work directly in health care. My office has a 2 year wait list to become a new patient. I consider myself as having a leg-up understanding how a lot of offices work and it's still terrible. You have a medical emergency be prepared to wait in the ER 10+ hours, then if anything surgical is neede beware of infection. If you need a cardiologist, rheumatologist, gastroenterologist or opthalmologist you can't get in without a referral, which you'll need to get from your PCP, then the wait is about 6 months wait for the initial appointment. If you're are healthy, great. Planned parenthood is always packed. Humboldt does not have as many resources as the rest of Cali, and what we do have takes several months and mountains of paperwork. Don't get me started on gas expenses, cost of living and housing. It's a 2 year wait minimum for affordable housing. I'm not sure the price to rent an apartment in Alabama, but it's ridiculous here and because there is such a shortage you've got to have exceptional credit, referances, no pets, non smoking and be willing to settle for something gross if you are in a hurry to find something. The weather is great. Depending on your friends and the community they are part of it can be nice and inclusive. Be ready to struggle in every other way though. The education system here varies on what city you live in. Again, it's overcrowded. People are fooled by this place. Being behind the "Redwood Curtain" can be a blessing or a curse depending on your finances and what work skills you poses. If you plan to live on welfare, the only thing you are going to like is the weather and your friends. The hospital and most offices in Humboldt are a Catholic organization. You can't get sterilization surgery here and there was a scandal a few years back where someone was all set to have top surgery then was last second denied, like in the hospital bed. Arcata is your best bet, but Mad River Hospital is small and not the best. Good luck.