Anyone live(d) in the Pocket? (Sacramento, Elk Grove: crime, houses, neighborhood)

[inpd]

For those you living or lived in the Pocket, any details on
what its like would be greatly appreciated. I know most of the
tangible details, good schools (Dideon, Matsyama(sp?)) but
I want to know the intangible stuff that you only find out *after*
you move in.

Is there a nice community feeling?
Lots of kids centered activities?
Do people have time and are friendly (or too busy commuting)?
Is the neighborhood going up or down?
What's the demographic mix like (seems to be a huge proportion
of Asians at schools (42%) which probably has its good and bad points)

[inpd]

What no one lives in the pocket that owns a computer or reads this fine
forum. What a backwards lot.

[deuterdu]

Originally Posted by inpd

For those you living or lived in the Pocket, any details on
what its like would be greatly appreciated. I know most of the
tangible details, good schools (Dideon, Matsyama(sp?)) but
I want to know the intangible stuff that you only find out *after*
you move in.

Is there a nice community feeling?
Lots of kids centered activities?
Do people have time and are friendly (or too busy commuting)?
Is the neighborhood going up or down?
What's the demographic mix like (seems to be a huge proportion
of Asians at schools (42%) which probably has its good and bad points)

Community feeling is like most communities in California. You might know a couple of neighbors.
Kid centered activities...I think California in general lacks in this department compared to other states.
The crime seems to be increasing in the pocket area.
There are many races in Pocket. It makes up one of the most diverse areas i have ever lived in. For the most part it is proof that we CAN all get along!

[Tim Currie]

It's nice. Really quiet for the most part, almost all residential with just a couple shopping centers. I think there are two grocery stores, Nugget is awesome, and a Bel Air. And a very small selection of other things like a few fast food spots, video stores, starbucks, banks, etc. And they're basically all located in those couple shopping centers.

Mainly houses, schools, parks, and a lot of churches. The neighborhood is very suburban but it's an old neighborhood so big trees and different looking houses and bigger lots.

Nothing in the way of entertainment or eating out. If you want to do anything you'll be in the car and driving downtown or to Elk Grove.

You DO have the river right there and access to that if you want to walk/jog/bike/fish or whatever along the river.

I'd say the population is older with much less young families and young single people (almost non-existent) than your typical 'burb.
Yes there are a lot of asians, mostly japanese I think, but there's a good mix of colors and anyone should be comfortable.

Not far from downtown on the freeway but you can get stop and go traffic during traditional rush hour times on week days. Normal driving time would be 5 min. on the freeway to downtown. If you head south it's 2-3 miles to Elk Grove.

Any other questions?

[inpd]

Originally Posted by Tim Currie

Any other questions?

Thanks Tim.

I have done a lot of web research and visited the area
about six times already and seen about 15
houses. I was interested in the intangible things
you only find out after living there for a few years
(hence the title of the post).

I was more interested in insights such as there
are lots of informal playgroups, a great neighborhood
association, petty crime is increasing/decreasing those things you
can't pick up on unless you live there.

[cw68]

Originally Posted by inpd

Thanks Tim.

I have done a lot of web research and visited the area
about six times already and seen about 15
houses. I was interested in the intangible things
you only find out after living there for a few years
(hence the title of the post).

I was more interested in insights such as there
are lots of informal playgroups, a great neighborhood
association, petty crime is increasing/decreasing those things you
can't pick up on unless you live there.

From what I hear from my friends, petty crime is increasing. But they still like living there. Most of the friends I made who live in the Pocket/Greenhaven area I met through the local MOMS Club (http://momsclubsacramento.googlepages.com/). There is also a local, invitation-only Moms club too.

The Nugget is the best and I miss going there often. My friend Steve is their wine steward and is incredibly knowledgeable, btw. There are very few restaurants and the like, most people head to Elk Grove, though a few head into Sacramento. It's not a super close-knit community, but you will find some pockets where it is. Seems to have a decent number of renters, but they are mostly families.

[inpd]

Originally Posted by cw68

From what I hear from my friends, petty crime is increasing. But they still like living there. ... Seems to have a decent number of renters, but they are mostly families.

cw68 comes through again! Great info.