Considering a move to Nevada or Placer County (San Francisco, Sacramento: rental, crime) - City-Data Forum

Ghengis · 03-03-2011, 07:50 AM

An opportunity to transfer to a position in Roseville has come up and my wife and I are considering leaving our hobby farm in the far exurbs of Minneapolis-St Paul for a new beginning in the Sacramento area. The position would pay between $80K to $90K/year and include the use of a car and allowance. We would eventually be looking for home with a small amount of acreage in the hills to the east of Sacramento (Grass Valley seems enticing).

We have done some exploring of the area in the past and the opportunity to be in Northern California with relatively close access to San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite is appealing. We are not active recreational enthusiasts (kayaking, skiing, etc) but hike frequently and enjoy bike riding.

My wife is naturally somewhat apprehensive of the move insofar as what security and crime problems that may exist in a remote and unfamiliar area such as here, but is excited for the move and to put Minnesota winters behind us. I realize cost of living and housing is a bit more by national standards but we aren't looking for a McMansion or accumulating toys and the trappings of suburbia life.

We currently have 2 large (Great Dane & GSD) dogs, two small dogs and two cats and would probably need to rent while we settle in and get a better awareness of the area. We would likely want to continue to own large breeds and these may include a Rottweiler or other dogs of this type.

Biggest concern I might have is the obviously mistaken impression that California frequently burns to the ground from wild fires but this area seems somewhat resistant to those occurrences and these foothills appear to be not lacking for precipitation relative to Southern California and the arid costal regions.

For long-time and attuned residents of this area, what are some of the concerns you have for the Sacremento area in general such as job growth, state budget shortfalls and the housing market?

Thanks in advance to everyone for your comments!

humboldtrat · 03-03-2011, 02:22 PM

Good luck finding something to rent with 4 dogs and 2 cats

Nala99 · 03-05-2011, 09:20 AM

Placer and Nevada counties are beautiful great places to live. Check out Loomis, Penryn, and Newcastle too. Less commute but also what you are looking for.

AllansHomes · 03-05-2011, 04:07 PM

You'll love the weather here and your budget will be just fine! Also check out Auburn for a small town feel with a good commute.

Renting with large animals will be hard. There is acerage in Loomis. Maybe try looking for a rental there. Most lots are bigger and perhaps owners will be more accepting of animals.

I wouldn't worry too much about wild fires. They happen but aren't "frequent."

Exciting!

KC6ZLV · 03-05-2011, 07:09 PM

Also take a look at Meadow Vista, Colfax, and for places along Hwy 174 between Colfax and Grass Valley.

Keep in mind that some areas up there don't have copper or fibre internet access. You should be able to make a call to the relevant phone or cable TV companies to find out if internet access is available at a given addrees.

Ghengis · 03-06-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllansHomes

You'll love the weather here and your budget will be just fine! Also check out Auburn for a small town feel with a good commute.

Renting with large animals will be hard. There is acerage in Loomis. Maybe try looking for a rental there. Most lots are bigger and perhaps owners will be more accepting of animals.

I wouldn't worry too much about wild fires. They happen but aren't "frequent."

Exciting!

Most any area that could provide some combination of room, view, elevation, trees, vibe and/or value would be considered.

If we can't rent we'll figure out another plan and/or buy, but it's been my experience that most everything is negotiable.

Wasn't too concerned about fire risk after failing to find much in the way of previous news reports and the precipitation data of the area is encouraging, but just wondered if anyone had any anecdotal info, how about coyote problems?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC6ZLV

Also take a look at Meadow Vista, Colfax, and for places along Hwy 174 between Colfax and Grass Valley.

Keep in mind that some areas up there don't have copper or fibre internet access. You should be able to make a call to the relevant phone or cable TV companies to find out if internet access is available at a given addrees.

Thanks again and have started looking into these areas as well. Anyone able to use satellite dishes for TV and internet? Need to able to point towards Texas for the sats. Use them now for DirecTV and Hughes and have been happy with each for the most part.

Do they ever require chains for vehicles in the Western foothills? We have a 4WD truck we'll probably keep. Would imagine some of the higher elevations can get dumped on pretty good.

Thanks to Nala as well!

KC6ZLV · 03-06-2011, 02:58 PM

You will see light snow between 2000 and 3000 ft that will melt within a few hours most of the time. There will be about four or six episodes of storms requiring chains or some other type of traction suitable for the snow for several days. Most of the people in those areas just wait until the roads are cleared, which will be within a few hours.

There are several types of terrestrial wireless internet access throughout the area. The problem is hilly terrain blocks it in some places. You shouldn't have any problems with internet access anywhere where there are a lot of people. It is those locations five miles away from any real development where you will have difficulty.

Dewzy916 · 03-06-2011, 09:17 PM

I would try roseville if you wanna be closer to the city and have a better suburban lifestyle

urban farmer · 03-07-2011, 12:08 PM

Also looking at this area for relocation. If I can jump in here, can some locals comment on crime in the Sacramento and surrounding foothills areas? In checking the city data crime index I was surprised to see that Sacramento crime index is well above the national average. Grass Valley's index was higher than average too. Other areas were lower than average, like Auburn, Roseville and Placerville. In looking at the Sierra foothills areas of Placer, Nevada and El Dorado counties, do some areas have reputations for more crime than others? Are there areas to avoid due to crime concerns? Thanks for any input!

stephaniesopinion · 03-20-2011, 06:34 PM

HI there. Good luck with your decision first of all, what a big one. Well I am a 5th Generation Nevada Countian and very proud of that. We've been here since the Gold Rush on both sides of the family. Grass Valley is great town, very personal and next door to Nevada City, very cute too. (same High School). So much History in both towns. I am into Networking so I could put your in touch with a lot of people from Dog Breeders, Realtors, etc. that I know. And yes, there fires here in the "Golden State" but it is still all where you live. This location is great.....just off 80 half way between Tahoe and Sacramento. Above the fog and below the snow as we say :-)
again, good luck and contact me if you have any questions
Your Interior Designer (when you do land) :-)
Stephanie