El Dorado Hills or Elk Grove? (San Francisco, Sacramento: rent, condo, crime rate)

[dmlandis]

We are currently living overseas but contemplate coming back to Northern California in a few years.We are empty nesters now with SF condo almost paid for but frankly dont want to deal with expense and crowds. Not quite ready to retire yet - I'm a teacher with plenty of years of experience who would like to continue to work. Both El Dorado Hills and Elk Grove have been mentioned as places with active adults (55+ communities)? Any idea what living there is like. Would like a place with plenty of recreation - hiking, biking, some good restaurants, walkable neighborhoods, and some diversity - not a redneck heaven. Probably $300K or so budget for townhouse. Can anyone talk in more details about these communities - or similar ones in Sierra Foothils. I included Elk Grove as I've heard there is Active adult community there.

[wburg]

I think a "townhouse" in El Dorado Hills is anything with a lot smaller than half an acre, and the closest to "walkable" is driving to the shopping center, walking around the stores, and driving home. Elk Grove is a better choice for diversity but not much more walkable other than their little "old town" remnant.

[NinaN]

$300k is hard in EDH but doable at Versante. Walking distance to the Raleys center acre
Las the street and Town Center across 50. I choose EDH but I live here so I'm biased!

[hydro]

El dorado hills is much nicer and safer

[NineOneSix]

El Dorado Hills by far. 300K might be an issue though.

[caligirlz]

EDH currently has two 55+ community, and another being built. Versante is more retirement than active, I think. If you really want an ACTIVE 55+ community, I highly recommend Sun City in Lincoln. I have friends who live there, they are always doing something. That place is happening!
https://www.suncity-lincolnhills.org/

I think the new "Heritage" 55+ community in EDH is already selling homes. I think Lennar may be the builder. I drive by it on business park 3 when I'm going to the gym.
I dont see anything for $300k
Heritage El Dorado Hills New Home Community - El Dorado Hills - Sacramento, California | Lennar Homes


I think you are much more likely to meet your budget in Elk Grove though.

[hydro]

Yes sun city in Lincoln is good advice

[CAHntr]

Crime in EDH is very low, less than half of what Elk Grove has. Housing prices in EDH typically average about double that of Elk Grove. Elk Grove is less than an hour from El Dorado Hills so they're within easy driving distance of each other (about 40 miles). A close alternative to EDH is Folsom (a couple miles down the freeway). Folsom has a little higher crime rate than EDH but still much lower than Elk Grove and it's housing prices are lower than EDH. Folsom also has some senior housing areas that are 55+ and may fit what you're looking for (or not). Both Folsom and EDH have very "walkable" neighborhoods that are safe. I am not as familiar with Elk Grove but would imagine they have safer neighborhoods at the higher price points as well.

For recreation, you would be in heaven in any of these 3 towns since they are so close together. I'm not familiar with Elk Grove but am very familiar with EDH and Folsom. Both have bike lanes and quite a few bicyclists that commute to work on their bicycles. There's lots of road and mountain biking opportunities available in both areas and the nearby foothills. The same for hiking. There's Folsom Lake for all kinds of water sports and activities and a fun mountain biking trail from Salmon Falls bridge to Peninsula campground. You could easily spend a decade or 2 exploring all of the hiking opportunities in this area and even hike up around South Lake Tahoe on the Pacific Crest Trail if you're so inclined.

EDH has quite a few good restaurants and Folsom has even more (about twice as big of a town), along with a lot of good grocery stores with foods from around the world. Folsom also has a Community College with a very active list of plays and shows that are put on throughout the year. Downtown Sacramento has an even bigger event center and more shows although Folsom does seem to bring in a lot of diverse shows that are well worth seeing with easy parking and a 10 minutes or less commute if you live in Folsom or EDH.

You defined diversity as not being a redneck heaven. I don't think any of the 3 towns are anything close to being redneck heavens. All are much more cosmopolitan and close enough to Sacramento or even San Francisco if you needed an bigger dose of diversity for a day or so.

Hopefully this gives you a somewhat better idea of the area and possibilities.

[dspurs]

Roseville and Lincoln both also have very active 55+ Communities. Dell Webb has two communities in Roseville, Sun City and The Club, and one in Lincoln, also named Sun City. All three communities boast several ammenties such as club houses, parks, and many social groups that residents actively participate in. If proximity to Sacramento, as in downtown, is important, Roseville and Lincoln are approximately the same distance to downtown as El Dorado Hills, 22 miles and 30 miles respectively.

Roseville is and area that has experienced a lot of growth over the past 5-10 years including the revitilization of Old Town Roseville. There is an abundance of shopping, resturants, and activities to participate in. Old Roseville is doing a lot to engage the community and promoting events such as Wine Down Wednesdays, Food Truck Mania, Concerts in the Town Square. And if you enjoy casions/gambling, Thunder Valley Casino and Resort is located in Lincoln and is easily accessible from Roseville as well. Thunder Valley hosts several shows per year in the amphitheater ranging from Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross to Papa Roach. They also have comedy and other entertainment shows on their schedule as well.

As with El Dorado Hills and Elk Grove, Roseville and Lincoln are probably less walkable than most urban areas, but that's common with Sacramento suburbs and outlying areas.

Hope that helps!

[caligirlz]

There's not a whole lot (of shopping) within walking distance of the 55+ community in Folsom.

I live in an area in Folsom that would be considered walkable, but I rarely go to those shops/restaurants/grocery store, so be sure to chose wisely. Maybe rent first to see where you really want to be.