Moving from Bay Area to Sacramento suburb -- appreciate recommendations on where to live (Orange: transplants, house)

[sir99]

Originally Posted by NickB1967

I leave at 6:15 to avoid freeway back up from Roseville, and that is just to the Watt rail station for the hop downtown. If her Woodland job is fixed and your work is more flexible, then forget Folsom or Fair Oaks altogether and look at Davis or Fiddyment (West Roseville)

A commute from Davis to Folsom is a reverse commute overall, save for the causeway to downtown section.

A commute from West Roseville to Folsom is also torture, because Sacramento has no beltway loop.

See California Highways (www.cahighways.org): Sacramento Freeway Development for what could have and should have been....

She would only work in Woodland for one year and then would get moved to another school district, likely closer to wherever we choose to live

[caligirlz]

Originally Posted by sir99

Thanks much Ryuns for this and the kind words. Would it matter if my wife commuted at 7 a.m. and drove home at 3 p.m.? Difference in drive time from Fair Oaks vs. Folsom?

Those commute hours would be better, but 630 to 230 (or earlier) would be even better.

Keep in mind that Fair Oaks is further away from the freeway than Folsom, so depending on how far up Sunrise or Hazel you are, will add more time (on stop & go surface streets, with lights). Sunrise & Hazel are the only roads from the Fairs Oaks area that will take you to Hwy 50. Whatever time you may "save" by being 10-15 minutes closer as the bird flies in Fair Oaks, will be lost on the surface roads.

As noted in another thread about "How is the commute from Sacramento to Folsom", figure 45-55 minutes during commute hours, and 40 minutes otherwise, NOT counting parking. And not counting wrecks. Getting to Davis would be an additional 15-25 minutes depending on traffic. I think you mentioned that you didn't want stop & go traffic, well, that's what it will be during commute hours.

I agree, Davis to Folsom is a reverse commute. When I lived in East Sac, it took me a solid 30-40 minutes (if I left at 830) from my house to get to EDH, not counting parking. However, there is still going to be a lot of traffic, just not as much as going west. Any time you are driving from the suburbs towards the city center, the traffic is more congested... Davis to downtown. Once you get through downtown and past the merging freeways (I5 & 99), traffic will clear up a bit. Once you get past Sunrise, the lanes narrow to a carpool lane, and 2 regular lanes, so it gets congested again. And, FYI, Folsom MC cops/CHP's are very active.

Folsom schools are highly rated. And there are plenty of non-cookie cutter older neighborhoods: American River Canyon, Central (Alice Wild per map), Historic, Willow Creek, & Lexington Hills.

Bottom line, it's going to be really hard meeting your commute max (to Woodland) from Fair Oaks or Folsom. I would suggest listening to ryuns.

[sir99]

caligirlz, thanks for your time and feedback -- extremely helpful.

I am starting to understand more about the traffic in Sacramento, and am starting to accept that a 45 minute-1 hour commute is more realistic. As I stated, wife's job would be for around a year, so while it would be a challenge temporarily, at least it would not be a permanent thing.

For me, it is more open -- either work remotely or seek new employment, which sounds like it would likely be Folsom or Rocklin ... maybe one of the businesses in Rancho Cordova. I am thinking if I do have to work downtown, the light rail from Folsom may be an option to utilize a few times a week.

Again, the challenge we are having with Folsom are all of the tract homes for sale; whenever a more 'traditional' home comes on the market, we will need to move quickly as there is not a lot of inventory.

Does anyone have an estimate of how bad the commute from Folsom to Woodland would be? Leave: 6:30-7 am, return 3 pmish?

How's the light rail from Folsom to downtown Sac? Do the parking lots fill up early? (Like Cal-Train Diridon for those familiar with the South Bay)

[caligirlz]

Leaving Folsom at 630-7am is going to put you right in the middle of commute hours with many people needeing to be at work by 8 am. Leaving at 6-630 would be better. I've never personally commuted on LT, but it is very popular with people who work for the state, and have "free or discounted" passes. There are 3 stations in Folsom, historic/old town, Glenn & IronPoint. All have free parking. I think there is more parking at Glenn & IronPont. My SIL & friends take the earlier trains. I hear its pretty crowded, but doable.

I've heard inventory is low in Folsom because its such a desirable place to live! Are you working with a realtor? Which Folsom neighborhoods do you like?

[wburg]

sir99, by "traditional" home are you referring to more historic home styles, like a Craftsman bungalow or a Queen Anne? That will be a tall order in the suburbs--except for Folsom and Roseville, just about every Sacramento suburb to the east was farmland or grazing land until after World War II, and the few houses from old farming communities didn't often survive. Typically an "older home" in Folsom, Rancho Cordova or Citrus Heights means a 1950s-60s ranch house on a mid-century suburban tract.

[sir99]

Originally Posted by wburg

sir99, by "traditional" home are you referring to more historic home styles, like a Craftsman bungalow or a Queen Anne? That will be a tall order in the suburbs--except for Folsom and Roseville, just about every Sacramento suburb to the east was farmland or grazing land until after World War II, and the few houses from old farming communities didn't often survive. Typically an "older home" in Folsom, Rancho Cordova or Citrus Heights means a 1950s-60s ranch house on a mid-century suburban tract.

Yes, referring to an "older" home with a more classic look 50s-70s, i.e. not the newer cookie cutter homes

[HDL]

In the past I have lived in San Jose and I worked for many years in Roseville. I also lived in Vacaville and had friends in Woodland, so I'm familiar with that area also. Currently I'm blessed to be in Los Altos Hills !

I really like the Roseville area the best . There was always alot of cool places to shop, eat and just hang out. I would definitely pick it over Carmichael or Fair Oaks what with your current situation. Your wife can use Baseline to 99 south, to Hwy 5 to Hwy 80 to get to Woodland.

Water Park - Roseville Golfland-Sunsplash-California waterpark and family fun center
Dog Park - Bear Dog Park - Roseville, CA
Gym - City of Roseville, California - Roseville Sports Center
Good schools - Roseville Schools - Roseville California School Ratings - Public and Private
Golf - Golf Roseville, California - City of Roseville Public Golf Courses - Diamond Oaks & Woodcreek > Golf > Woodcreek Golf Club
Shopping - Westfield Galleria at Roseville Mall, Roseville CA
Restaurants - Fountains at Roseville
Casino - Thunder Valley Casino Resort - Welcome
Great access to the airport - Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

Here's a really nice home in your price range and in a very nice area of West Roseville to give you an idea of where to look. Since it's taken me so long to reply with links, I now see that you want an older home, so just use the below as an example of the area to 'possibly' focus your search :

333 Morecombe Ct, Roseville, CA 95747 | MLS# 13039804 | Redfin

Best wishes in your move !

Originally Posted by sir99

My wife and 1-year-old son are looking to move to the Sacramento area in a few weeks from the South Bay. We will have a nice chunk of equity coming from selling our house here, as we bought in 2009 at the bottom of the market. Our family and friends all live in the Carmichael area; we like it there, and so do they; however we realize the schools can be hit or miss in Carmichael.

- Buying or renting?

We are buying. Strongly considering Folsom or Fair Oaks. Generally leaning toward Fair Oaks as it appears to be more 'centrally' located and we can get a more traditional (older) house vs. the many tract homes in Folsom. However parts of Folsom do contain older homes, which we like. We are very much anti-tract homes.

- Budget or price

Looking top out at $450k for 4 bd, 2 ba -- how realistic is this budget? In the Bay, $450k gets you a 2 bd, 1 ba condo. Really would like the 4 bd to have an office / guest room.

- Employment situation and location

Woodland area for my wife. I am exploring a remote work environment for myself; if not, I will look for another job. I work in high-tech marketing.

- School consideration

Important. The schools are not very good in our area we currently live in.

- Pets (especially those considering rentals)

Two dogs -- will need a good sized yard; a pool would be nice but not required. Grass is important for the kids(s) to play on

- Urban, suburban or rural preference

Suburban -- we currently live near the city and would welcome a kid-friendly, family-friendly area. We would appreciate the ability to go swimming and have a place to stay active, i.e. running, hiking, walking, etc.

- Need or desire for public transportation

No. We both have cars, but would appreciate a 30-45 min commute max each way. No problem when the vehicles are moving, it's the stop and go traffic that poses headaches.

I currently go to the Peninsula from the South Bay and my commute is stop and go both ways. Usually 50 minutes to go 20 miles. How does the Sacramento area traffic compare? I check the traffic every morning on Google, and it appears to only slow down when one gets close to Sacramento proper. Anyone from the Bay move to the Sacramento area and have a good read on the differences on traffic patterns?

Thank you for your feedback ... appreciate tips and insight.

[wburg]

Originally Posted by sir99

Yes, referring to an "older" home with a more classic look 50s-70s, i.e. not the newer cookie cutter homes

Okay then--I suppose I consider 50s-70s homes pretty "cookie cutter" looking. Arden-Arcade has some Eichler tract homes that might interest you if you're into Mid-Century Modern design, and there are some Eichlers in South Land Park. Some of the other MCM neighborhoods just outside Sacramento, like Del Dayo, Arden Park or Sierra Oaks might be more interesting to you, although there isn't a "downtown" there either, unless you count downtown/midtown Sacramento.

[NinaN]

1950s bungalow in Folsom, well within price range (no, not my listing)
211 Dean Way, Folsom, CA 95630 - Home For Sale and Real Estate Listing - realtor.com®

[sir99]

Hi all,

This is very helpful. Any tips if my wife were to split her work week between Roseville/downtown Sacramento? Would Roseville a better option that Folsom or Fair Oaks?

Again, I am in high-tech marketing and may work from home, or look for another opportunity. Based off of my background and research, I am under the impression I would likely look for work in Folsom, Roseville, Rancho Cordova, or downtown Sacramento.

Thanks.