Which area would be best for us? (Sacramento, Riverside: mortgage, relocate)

[seekNsun]

My wife and I are planning to relocate to the Sacramento area a year from now. I am a surveyor (working for an engineering company) and she is an elementary teacher. We would like to buy a house ASAP after moving here, but we are prepared to rent for awhile if need be. We will not be having children here (going back to Oregon in 10 years or so). The things most important to us are:
> House with large enough back yard to accomodate a modest vegetable garden
> Commutes less than ~40 minutes (I will most likely work downtown, she has yet to find employment)
> Safe, nice area
> Good location in terms of real-estate appreciation
> Close proximity to a gym
> Good dining

Folsom has been the target of our future plans, but I also like the area around McKinley park and east Sac. We will most likely not own a boat, but lake/river access is a plus. We will have the ability to put a great majority of our income towards a mortgage, and I'm anticipating a decline in housing costs a year from now. Roseville/Rocklin is always a possibility, but I'm not terribly keen on the 80 commute I'm not interested in living south of 50, either. Also, if anyone knows what some of the higher-paying school districts are, please speak up! Thanks everyone!

[CityGirl72]

HMMMM

What kind of "feel" do you like in a neighborhood?

I'm a big fan of Midtown, Mckinely Park, East Sac area - because the "feel" is not the suburbs of Roseville or Folsom. And my commutes from those areas were always 30 minutes or less.

I would do a little research in LAND PARK - it will have more back yard for your money - plus to the other side of East Sac is RIVER PARK...which is fabulous and by Sac State and right on the American River Trail

Good Luck!

[seekNsun]

Thanks for your reply, CityGirl. In regards to feel, either way is fine. I give preference to areas that have character, unique homes, etc. That being said, we are a very young couple and would also be willing to succumb to suburban sprawl if the price was right. We are "outdoorsy" type people, and a sense of community is always appreciated. I will be sure to check out Land Park. I am currently living in the Arden-Arcade area, which seems to have some nice pockets (although I have no idea if they affordable by my standards), plus it's nice being close to downtown. We will likely be looking to spend $300-350k for a 3/2.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by seekNsun

Thanks for your reply, CityGirl. In regards to feel, either way is fine. I give preference to areas that have character, unique homes, etc. That being said, we are a very young couple and would also be willing to succumb to suburban sprawl if the price was right. We are "outdoorsy" type people, and a sense of community is always appreciated. I will be sure to check out Land Park. I am currently living in the Arden-Arcade area, which seems to have some nice pockets (although I have no idea if they affordable by my standards), plus it's nice being close to downtown. We will likely be looking to spend $300-350k for a 3/2.

Your price range is a little tough for Land Park, I would probably look at Carmichael, Fair Oaks and Citrus Heights.

[CityGirl72]

Yes I was going to mention that - Land Park is a very nice area. YOu'll be able to rent easily - but maybe not buy for that price.

There is Curtis Park right next to it which is cheaper and up and coming. But still not in the 300s (much, maybe a small house)

My friend bought her house for 285K in January, she lives in the North part of Carmichael, not my cup of tea but she likes it.

[Carolyn Montgomery]

sActually there are are a couple of hundred homes located between Riverside Blvd and Interstate 5 in Land Park that are selling for around $350k. Set your mapquest to Riverside with the cross street of 3rd Avenue to see the area. Zip 95813. These are extremely charming homes around 1,100 sp ft on average that were built between the 1920s and 1940s. Lots of bungalows and Sear kit houses , genuinely vintage. The housing slump has never hit this area as it is extremely desireable. The park is huge and includes a zoo and a golf course. Land Park is about 5-10 minutes from downtown. And, all the best restaurants (there are several) are in mid-town.

South on I-5 (about 15 minutes without traffic) from Land Park is the Greenhaven/Pocket area, so named because from the air the Sacramento River curves around the land in a pocket shape. This area has about 15,000 homes between I-5 and the freeway. We are pretty self-contained here as we are bounded by the river and I-5. Honestly, one of worst areas of the city (Meadowview/South Sac) begins on the east side of I-5, but rarely crosses over in the Pocket. The north end, Greenhaven is far removed from these troubles at all. We have lived in the neighborhood that is closest to Pocket Road and I-5 for 23 years and have never had any problems. Home prices range from $300k to $500k (we also have big expensive homes right along the river). The northern end called Greenhaven began building in 1960 and then building extended south into area called the Pocket, ending around 1995 or so. We have a park and launch ramp onto the the river called Garcia Bend. There is a 24-hour Fitness at Pocket Rd. and Greenhaven Drive. There are a couple of really good Japanese restaurants in the area, two major supermarkets, and a super new french bistro called Plan B. Resale value for homes is nearly as steady as Land Park, we're just not quaintly historic.

It is very difficult to get a job as a teacher in Sac City Unified District as we (I'm a part-time school clerk) are losing kids right and left to Elk Grove. Your wife would be smart to apply there and also in the new West Sacramento area called Southport. Even though Southport is on the other side of the river, if you head north on I-5 and crossover it's only 15 minutes from the Pocket and about 10 from Land Park. (Maybe 30 to 45 minues during morning rush hour. But you can also take the back street route of Freeport to the old bridge across the Sacramento Rive, and then north on the river road - it takes about 10 minutes longer but there is never any traffic and it comes out right at Southport area. )

Wow, I wrote a lot. . .Good luck!

Carolyn Montgomery
Realtor

[cw68]

Originally Posted by Carolyn Montgomery

sActually there are are a couple of hundred homes located between Riverside Blvd and Interstate 5 in Land Park that are selling for around $350k. Set your mapquest to Riverside with the cross street of 3rd Avenue to see the area. Zip 95813.

This area also has zip 95818, like the rest of Land Park. We owned homes on both Vallejo Way and 5th Ave west of Riverside and that was our zip. You will not find a 3/2, or even a 3/1 in that price range. Be careful of location this side of Riverside so that you're not too close to the project. It's still a great area, but get as far away from the projects as you can. Quieter, safer and better resale.

[seekNsun]

How would you (or anyone) assess the flood danger in that area?

[CityGirl72]

in Land Park? there's really no flood danger - most of that happens to people living on the levy - or the new construction that is in Natomas

[Carolyn Montgomery]

Good Advice cw68, and thanks for catching the zip code error. I should proof more carefully.

However, my friend, prices are actually coming down. Two houses in that area sold for $325,000 each in April and July on 7th Avenue and on Jones. One was a 3/1 the other a 2/1. Currently there is one 2-3/1 on San Luis Court for sale for $309,000 and another on 7th Avenue, a 3/1, listed for $375,000. (Considering they've been on the market for 50 days already, that's probably negotiable.)

Anyway, there are possibilities there and some people don't require a 3/1.

Carolyn Montgomery
Realtor