Interview in Sacramento - a few questions (San Diego, Folsom: upper-class, apartments)

[Falk781]

So I have been entertaining a move to the west coast from the north east for some time now. During the week I received a call from a company who wants to interview me in about 2 weeks.

Having said that, being familiar with San Diego and LA even as far as San Luis Obispo, I have a few questions....

1- Is a salary in the Mid 80's comortable living in this area with no kids/family?

2- Is the weather anything like SLO or LA? (Is there Humidity?)

3- What is the farthest away you would consider living from the center of the city?

4- Are there things to do such as 4 wheel off roading, nightlife etc...

I have been looking on craigs list at apartments and it seems as though you could get quite a bit for 900 - 1000, is this true?

Any other information would be appreciated as I would like to plan my itinerary...

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by Falk781

1- Is a salary in the Mid 80's comortable living in this area with no kids/family?
2- Is the weather anything like SLO or LA? (Is there Humidity?)
3- What is the farthest away you would consider living from the center of the city?
4- Are there things to do such as 4 wheel off roading, nightlife etc...
5- I have been looking on craigs list at apartments and it seems as though you could get quite a bit for 900 - 1000, is this true?

1. Salary in the 80s would be somewhat above average family income, so you should be OK (not great but OK).

2. Weather is more seasonal than SLO or LA. Summer has highs in the low 90s to low 100s, with evening down in the low 60s. No rain from around late April until October. Winter has highs in the mid 50s to low 60s, low around the low to mid 30s, and it typically rains a couple of days per week.

3. If you want to ensure a commute of under an hour, I wouldn't go more than 20 or so miles from downtown.

4. Can't address off roading, midtown is the area with a lot of nightlife
Sacramento Midtown, East Sacramento, Downtown and Old Sac Business Directory > Bars & Night Clubs

5. Most nice apartments or houses with at least 3 bedrooms would probably rent for about 1300 plus in nice areas.

[CEO]

1- Is a salary in the Mid 80's comortable living in this area with no kids/family?
Yes, it is well enough for a single household. You will be consider upper-middle if not upper-class. The average family median income is only around 50k.

2- Is the weather anything like SLO or LA? (Is there Humidity?)
Sacramento is very dry, no humidity. It has extreme weather, cold winters (below 0), hot summers (over 100). I would say its similar to LA but then it has it's differences.

3- What is the farthest away you would consider living from the center of the city?
How far do you want to commute? You can live in suburbs from downtown and be able to commute 15-20 minutes is reasonable in my opinion.

4- Are there things to do such as 4 wheel off roading, nightlife etc...
Haven't heard of any off roading around sacramento. Nightlife is all downtown sacramento.

I have been looking on craigs list at apartments and it seems as though you could get quite a bit for 900 - 1000, is this true?
Yes, 1,000 is around the average rent for apartments. I know downtown is building some new luxury apartments that you might take a look into. Cost is more but worth the investment.

[KidBlue]

There is an offroad vehicle park on White Rock Road near Folsom. I've never been there but I've seen the sign for it.

[Falk781]

What is the local Internet Service Provider for High Speed Internet Access?

[quasi888]

For internet, Sac is serviced by Comcast (ugh), Surewest, and probably AT&T. I love Surewest. I'm getting 10Mbps up and down (symmetrical).

As KidBlue mentioned, there is an OHV park in Folsom. It's called Prairie City SVRA.

Prairie City SVRA

[cw68]

Originally Posted by CEO

It has extreme weather, cold winters (below 0), hot summers (over 100). I would say its similar to LA but then it has it's differences.

It does not get to 0 in Sacramento. A few times a year the temp will dip below freezing. Last year we had a week with lows in the 20s. That's as cold as it gets.

[Falk781]

I'm actually leaving for my interview tomorrow morning which isnt' actually taking place until Friday. I've been searching craigs list so I can line up some apartment prospects for tomorrow afternoon, Thursday and Friday afternoon.

I guess we'll see if I can talk with some of these people.

Hopefully my trip will be value added.

[auburnvoorhees]

1- Is a salary in the Mid 80's comortable living in this area with no kids/family? That salary is above average in Sac.
2- Is the weather anything like SLO or LA? (Is there Humidity?) The weather is VERY hot in the summer. The winters are not really that cold.
3- What is the farthest away you would consider living from the center of the city? I would not live IN Sacramento itself. Sacramento offers few interesting items in regards to "City" life compared to other major population centers. People who tell you otherwise have never lived anyplace else then Sac! Also, there is a fair amount of petty crime in Sacramento...particulary car theft...I never had my car broken into in LA or SF but have had a car stolen and my car broken into three times in Sac.
4- Are there things to do such as 4 wheel off roading, nightlife etc...Some of the best skiing exists in Tahoe and there is some really good off roading up there. There is everything from Fire roads to hard jeep trails...
5- I have been looking on craigs list at apartments and it seems as though you could get quite a bit for 900 - 1000, is this true? That sounds about right for Sacramento. I would not consider living in an apartment in Sac. I would look to live in the foothills up the 80 or the 50...

[inpd]

My modified responses after having lived in downtown for 3 months.

Originally Posted by auburnvoorhees

1- Is a salary in the Mid 80's comortable living in this area with no kids/family?

Yes, comfortable for renting, but buying a home could be a stretch.

2- Is the weather anything like SLO or LA? (Is there Humidity?) The weather is VERY hot in the summer. The winters are not really that cold.

From May-August its hot (upto low hundreds).

3- What is the farthest away you would consider living from the center of the city? I would not live IN Sacramento itself.

Downtown Sac is like Washington and other planned capital cities. Lots of
museums (12+), good restaurants, a few bars/clubs but not many pleasant
for a family but not so if your looking for action (but that's true of all Sac).

5- I have been looking on craigs list at apartments and it seems as though you could get quite a bit for 900 - 1000, is this true? That sounds about right for Sacramento. I would not consider living in an apartment in Sac. I would look to live in the foothills up the 80 or the 50...

The last point I differ on. There are nice apartments in downtown/midtown Sac. I rent
a 1100 sq ft apartment in a 7 year old complex. Nice place, great neighbors
(who mostly aren't there) but it costs $1400 per month for a six month lease
and $125 for offstreet parking (needed because street parking is difficult
to get).