Foothill Community Recommendations (Sacramento, Vista, Roseville: job, homes, crime)

[Calidreemer]

Hi Everyone!

My husband and I are visiting from the Chicago area in a few weeks to look at communities for a second time. We fell in love with the foothills and would love your recommendations about communities with new or newer construction. We did see and love EDH and Folsom, but wanted to make sure we aren't missing any other communities that might fit our needs.

I would also appreciate any advice on living in the foothills, especially since we are flat landers! Comments on EDH and Folsom are appreciated too.

Thanks so much!

[DMenscha]

There are two kinds of foothills. EDH, Folsom, Auburn are big cities as far as I'm concerned. City water/sewage. The other kind of foothills is places like Cool and Foresthill or Volcano and Georgetown that still have homes on domestic wells and septic systems and are still rural.

It cracks me up when people from the town of San Andreas (our county seat) talk about having moved there to experience the "rural lifestyle". They live in homes on 1/4 acre lots just like the suburbia folks do.

I always thought that Folsom had a lot more character than EDH, but you need to please yourself. I recommend that people spend an hour in the local grocery store wandering around and trying to get a feel for the people that live nearby.

I hope you find your dream location

[Cayce29]

In the foothills, I think El Dorado Hills and Folsom are the two nicest areas.

EDH is smaller, generally more upscale, and being a bit further up the hill is nicely insulated. Serrano is nationally-recognized and is unparalleled as far as master-planned communities go.

Folsom has some good areas also (e.g. Los Cerros, American River Canyon, etc.), has more commercial uses (can be good or bad, depending on whether you like such things close by or don't mind driving 5 minutes down the hill from EDH, etc.), and the rustic feel of the old town area.

[Don Vito]

both communities are nice. El dorado hills is more expenisve, unincorporated, isolated, safe, with excellent schools. Folsom is decent, more middle class, more suburbsy, but they have spill over crime issues from places like rancho cordova.

[Calidreemer]

Thanks for your replies. This is helpful for me.

Any tips on selecting a lot? Advantages or disadvantages to being in certain physical locations?

Thanks for your help!

[JenniferLynn]

I prefer the foothill communities that are up I80, such as Auburn, Meadow Vista, Colfax, etc. They are more scenic and forested than Folsom and EDH which seem more congested and suburban to me. You can get into the forest if you go further up 50 into the Placerville area, although Cameron Park just above EDH is nice too.

Personally I love Auburn because it's a small town, but big enough to have almost all the amenities one would need, and there is a wide variety of residences to chose from, homes close to town, homes in subdivisions, and homes with acreage.

[Calidreemer]

Thanks everyone - any information about opportunities for horseback riding in these areas? Stables that offer lessons and share boards? I ride western and some english (prefer western for trials).

Does anyone know what amenities are around these foothill areas? Thanks!

[LiveInColfax]

Calidreemer
Communties along 1-80 from Penryn/Newcastle east to Colfax, including Peardale/Chicago Park all have areas that would be good for horses and riding, also along Auburn Folsom Road between Auburn & Folsom. The weather is good, the closer to Sacramento the hotter, the more east you get more rainfall. Also the closer to Sacramento the more expensive acreage is. Do you need to be close to a job? Lots of stables, riding trails all around, plus rivers, lakes. Easy access to Sierra College in Rocklin or Grass Valley, major shopping in Folsom, Roseville, plus Auburn is growing. Home Depot coming soon, Target already there, winery's, resturants all over. I am partial to Chicago Park, it's rural, yet only 5 miles to I-80.

[Calidreemer]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

[BAY2ATL]

We live in Camino, east of Placerville, about 50 miles to Downtown Sacramento. 3000 ft elevation, gives four seasons, some snow (not too much), Apple Hill (fall harvest events: fresh fruit, vegetables, pies), wine country, OK schools. A little distant to SAC, but worth it.