Carmichael and Pocket areas (Sacramento, Roseville: apartment complex, travel, houses)

[pgarcia43]

My husband and I are moving to Sacramento in Octber. We are looking at two apartment complexes, one in Carmichael and one in the Pocket. You folks seem to think Carmichael is pretty safe, is the Pocket safe and how do the two areas compare?

[CADRMNDANES]

Carmichael is much better then the pocket area. I would stay away from s. sac.

[CityGirl72]

To me - they are about the same

But the previous poster is correct - the Pocket Area (Which is Greenhaven) - sit just west of South Sacramento at Florin Road - which is the gangster area - it's quite crappy.

And when I think of safe areas to move to - Carmichael is NOT at the top of my list - there are SO MANY other better areas then Carmichael (not that it's horrific, my friend lives there and she likes it)

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

To me - they are about the same

But the previous poster is correct - the Pocket Area (Which is Greenhaven) - sit just west of South Sacramento at Florin Road - which is the gangster area - it's quite crappy.

And when I think of safe areas to move to - Carmichael is NOT at the top of my list - there are SO MANY other better areas then Carmichael (not that it's horrific, my friend lives there and she likes it)

Both the Pocket and Carmichael are nice residential areas. The Pocket is fairly affluent, but pretty much hemmed in by the South Sacramento area, which is about the least desirable section of the city. Carmichael is a middle to somewhat upper middle class area, and is bordered by two of the nicer areas in metro Sacramento, Arden Arcade and Fair Oaks. Carmichael is very convenient to many areas of the city, and provides multiple route options to downtown in case the interstate gets clogged at rush hour.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Carmic...alifornia.html

If you look under the "quality of life" box on the below reference, you can see that Carmichael has a rather low crime rate, so that shouldn't be of concern to you either:

MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2007: Carmichael, CA snapshot

[Carolyn Montgomery]

As with any neighborhood of about 15,000 houses there is some crime in the Pocket area. However, I've lived here since 1983 and have never felt unsafe anywhere in our neighborhood. My husband (the compulsive walker often does the rest of his mileage after 10 o'clock at night and the only remarkable thing he has every run across was a very sad (but loud) domestic situation.

Log on to KCRA television - they have a "CrimeTracker" page that will specifically answer your questions about crime here in Pocket/Greenhaven. I think you'll be reassured regarding your question.

How bad could it be? The assistant chief of police lives about a mile from me. . .

Carolyn Montgomery
Realtor

[cncsmomndad]

Having lived in the Pocket area, I'd have to say I'd rather live in Carmichael. I don't know if I'd classify Pocket at "fairly affluent" either. Sure there are nice houses in a section or two, but Carmichael has the same type of neighborhoods. Carmichael is more centrally located and it will be easier to get around than having to get on I-5 to get anywhere. Maybe drive down Florin Rd then determine if you want to live in the Pocket area.

[CADRMNDANES]

I lived for a very short period of time in South Sac close to the pocket area. I still have family that lives down there. They have nothing nice to say about that area. They will be selling a moving else where soon.
The pocket area is very small and you still have to travel through the unsafe areas. It's not pretty! Guess where most of the trouble makers go shopping for items to steal??

[pgarcia43]

Thanks for all the advice, we are leaning toward Carmichael. Pocket seems okay but even being in the vicinity of danger doesn't sound good, but hear in Boston we would never walk around at 10 pm!

[AuburnJack]

We are moving to the Pocket area next week. We love the area... very pretty, nearby shopping, and it's not too far from downtown (though the morning commute on I-5 is pretty rough).

After visiting, my personal opinion is that the notion of being "close to danger" is pretty overblown. According to KCRA's crime tracker, the main thing you have to worry about there is car break-ins, and honestly, that happens all over Sacramento (or any other sizable metro area, for that matter). You don't really travel through the rough areas like Meadowview unless you are going south to Laguna/Elk Grove... in fact, going the other direction you can pass through lovely South Land Park on the way to Downtown/Midtown. And again, I'm not too concerned about passing through bad neighborhoods. I am in motion, after all.

Ultimately, I'd advise to go with the apartment you like more and is more convenient to your living needs. Both areas seem like nice areas to me.

[Carolyn Montgomery]

Well, I do feel that I have to at least defend the Pocket/Greenhaven area a bit. Carmichael is a lovely area in some parts, not so great in others. ( I have lived in Roseville and then Sacramento for 54 years and I've been all over, including a time living in Fair Oaks). The Pocket/Greenhaven area is self-contained - being surrounded by a curve on the river and then a hard demarcation line at I-5 on the east.

Living on the east side of I-5, going down Florin or Meadowview Road has no comparison with Pocket/Greenhaven. Auburn Jack is right; if you want actual stats, check KCRA's Crime Tracker. I have lived here in the Pocket/Greenhaven area since 1983 and only petty crime has occurred here.

Pocket/Greenhaven is considered affluent with prices ranging from $350,000 to $1 mil with a Sacrament River view. Carmichael has many beautiful properties in the same range, some with a river view of the American River.

I think it's important to be accurate when advising people from out of town; Auburn Jack is correct - both areas are nice.

Carolyn

Enjoy Carmichael; I'm sure you'll have a good experience. Go rafting on the American River; you'll have a great time!