Making the plunge! (Sacramento, Riverside, Citrus Heights: apartments, rentals, waterparks)

[Tired of Chicagoland]

So my wife has just been offered a great opportunity to go to work with Kaiser out in Roseville and I an a nervous wreck. I have heard that Kaiser is one of the best health systems on the west coast. We actually went and visited the area a little bit last summer in the middle of July and actually enjoyed the weather...certainly better than Chicago! We have a 3 and 5 year old and know that Roseville is full of great schools and surrounding areas. Her salary will be approx 57k and I will be moving with no job lined up as of yet. I am in the automotive field. I think that is what makes me the most nervous if we can survive on one income for awhile. I do have a small cash reserve saved up (actually invested) but the moving expenses alone are going to drain some of that. The address of her work is 1001 Riverside Avenue. Are there some affordable 2-3 bedroom apts or houses for rent in the area that people have first hand experience with? When we went last year the pictures online were not at all what it looked like in person so I would much rather go with a in person point of view.

This is the biggest decision of my life and I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing. All the people seemed very pleasant and welcoming when we visited CA last year. We are very out doors type people and love hiking, biking, running, doing mud run/obstacle courses and I love playing volleyball too. Our kids love being outside at parks and playgrounds, waterparks, pools..ect.

[Mr. Ozo]

Welcome to California. 57,000 a year with two kids is not ideal, but not impossible, especially if temporary. It looks like you can get a Townhouse type situation in Roseville for around $1600. A full house with yard is going to be in the $2000s.

Padmapper is good for checking out rentals. http://www.padmapper.com/

[Tired of Chicagoland]

Mr ozo

Thanks for the great link I didnt know about that reference before!

[DontKnowIfImComingOrGoing]

Hmm. 57K for a family of four will be quite tough.

We are only talking about $3.5K to $4.0K per month in take home salary. Housing will be half of that for a good place in Roseville.

Also Roseville is a nice place so things tend to be more expensive there (think Restaurants, participation in sports activities etc.) so you may not get to enjoy the area as much as you would like.

You would need a minimum of $90K to really enjoy life there.

[cb73]

I don't know exactly what you mean by being in the automotive field, but Roseville Auto Mall is just down the street from Kaiser--most of the makes have dealerships there.

[Malloric]

In much of California, you'd be nuts to. Sacramento is relatively affordable, however. You'd be better off renting a house which in Roseville would run you about $1700+. Not many apartments are 3bd and those that there are are closer to $2000. It'd be tight until you find a job, but if you're willing to do house dad you could pinch the pennies and make it work. Citrus Heights is cheaper, you could find something in the $1,200 - $1,500 range. The schools definitely aren't as good.

[Tired of Chicagoland]

We would not need to live in roseville as long as the commute stays within reason. Is Rocklin, Loomis or Folsom more affordable with the good schools? I didnt think about the prices of Park district programs. My 5 year old currently does karate and my little guy loves doing all different sports, soccer, t ball, basketball..ect.

Does anyone have a good elementry school district that they have their children in that they can commit on? Also how safe are the apartments? I have a nice trans am that I have always had garaged and kinda worried about it in an apt parking lot.

[wburg]

Folsom is about as expensive as Roseville, Rocklin is about the same and Loomis isn't much cheaper--you'd probably pay the differential in gas. So no, there's no real advantage to living farther away from Roseville. Citrus Heights, on the other side of I-80, might be a little cheaper while still having proximity to Roseville.

[Aquaboy]

Kaiser health care is excellent and also a top employer. With a job lined up you guys will do great. The towns around Roseville are family-oriented and mostly "safe" places to live. Good luck!

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by wburg

Folsom is about as expensive as Roseville, Rocklin is about the same and Loomis isn't much cheaper--you'd probably pay the differential in gas. So no, there's no real advantage to living farther away from Roseville. Citrus Heights, on the other side of I-80, might be a little cheaper while still having proximity to Roseville.

I was thinking Citrus Heights too, it borders Roseville and has really improved since they got their own Police Dept. and is one of the most affordable suburbs in the area.