Friendliness in and around Sacramento (Napa, Nice: transfer, neighborhoods, school)

[PBK]

We are a family with four kids (ages 10-16) considering transfering from Phoenix to Sacramento. We moved to AZ from Europe a few years ago, but have found it difficult to make friends here (and have heard similar stories from others). What is the culture like up there? Friendly? Is it hard to make friends? Is it a more "honest say it in your face culture" like the east cost, or "white lie to be nice" culture?

Sorry if these are wierd questions. Just wanting to be ready.

[sacreole]

I think if you make a concerted effort to make friends in Sacramento, you'll have success. I would suggest becoming involved in various activities such as church, school, neighborhood associations and recreation clubs to meet folks. That what I did when I moved here more than 12 years ago. Sacramento is well defined by its neighborhoods, so we have a number of active neighborhood associations. Recreational opportunities abound with the American River Parkway, greenbelts, soccer clubs and cycling.

Overall, Sacramento has a fairly friendly, low key vibe. It has the feel of a smaller city but with big city amenities. The culture is less frenetic than the Bay Area or Phoenix but it's not "Minnesota or Seattle Nice". It's one of the more ethnically diverse and integrated metro areas in the country. I personally feel its one of the most underrated cities with lots of hidden charm.

[chenjesu]

Originally Posted by PBK

Friendly? Is it hard to make friends? Is it a more "honest say it in your face culture" like the east cost, or "white lie to be nice" culture?

All of the above? There is a huge amount of diversity, especially in different neighborhoods. Overall I agree that it is friendly and relaxed.

[jalvn]

Originally Posted by PBK

We are a family with four kids (ages 10-16) considering transfering from Phoenix to Sacramento. We moved to AZ from Europe a few years ago, but have found it difficult to make friends here (and have heard similar stories from others). What is the culture like up there? Friendly? Is it hard to make friends? Is it a more "honest say it in your face culture" like the east cost, or "white lie to be nice" culture?

Sorry if these are wierd questions. Just wanting to be ready.

As others have stated Sacramento is really a diverse area. Do you have an idea of what area you are considering moving to? Every neighborhood has a different vibe, so it depends on where you live. I would concur that getting involved in the community either though a school organization, church, volunteering, etc. would help you meet people and make friends more easily. We relocated here last year and my children had no problem making friends.

[VeraVega]

I find Sacramento to be extremely friendly! Much more so than North Carolina, where we had lived for several years before moving here. We're a 30s-40s couple with one kid, for context. It seems that most of the people I meet here are from this area and have strong roots here. In NC many people had moved there from elsewhere (might be the same in AZ). I find that made it harder to make friends as everyone was new and somewhat adrift; also, people tended to move frequently. In Sac it seems that people stay put and are quite welcoming.

[Mordin]

I also find Sacramento notably more welcoming and open than, say, the Bay Area. I've been greeted by total strangers whenever I head up there to visit family; in contrast, Bay Area folk often wear frowns and RBF is the norm down here. Job is talking about relocating to the central valley next year, and I can't wait to leave.

[JayBear8611]

Originally Posted by PBK

We are a family with four kids (ages 10-16) considering transfering from Phoenix to Sacramento. We moved to AZ from Europe a few years ago, but have found it difficult to make friends here (and have heard similar stories from others). What is the culture like up there? Friendly? Is it hard to make friends? Is it a more "honest say it in your face culture" like the east cost, or "white lie to be nice" culture?

Sorry if these are wierd questions. Just wanting to be ready.

I guess it just depends on your perception. I moved to Sacramento from the east coast. I've experienced on several occasions random people sitting near me at restaurants observing my food and asking what I ordered and just being very pleasant and social. That would have NEVER happened in my native urban southeastern Pennsylvania.

I wouldn't say it's super in-your-face friendly like Texas but it's not totally standoffish like NYC or something. It's just chill and laid back. People generally mind their own business unless you initiate something and people are usually very inviting and approachable. I honestly have no complaints. This place is heaven compared to where I moved here from.

[dspurs]

I would echo what others have state previously. The greater Sacramento area is very diverse and generally pretty friendly and welcoming. The urban center is relatively small by must city standards and there's a lot of urban sprawl, so specific neighborhoods can vary pretty significantly in terms of "vibe" and "feel". Not to mention you're only a few hours from the Bay Area and a few hours from Tahoe, which makes just about any type of recreation relatively easy to access...and let's not forget Napa, Wine Country!

[wburg]

Maybe the best word to describe Sacramento, in a very general way with plenty of exceptions, is "mellow." We're not in a hurry for the most part, but not as laid-back as the South. Sometimes things can get a little smarmy, and the East Coast in-your-face act is pretty rare.

[sacite]

Ya it is super friendly here. Night and day different from the bay area. It seems like everyday someone on the street strikes up a conversation with me. In fact, if I was a little more introverted I'd probably be uncomfortable with the amount of detail some of these people offer without even knowing me. But I am cool with pretty much everyone, so I love it.