Burning Questions About Sacramento Life (Rancho Cordova, Folsom: apartment, crime, house)

[mpitch]

The things I really want to know: I currently live in Chandler, Arizona. Do any of the grocery stores have Starbucks inside the store? Are there different utility companies that serve different parts of the city? Can you get through a winter without running your heat if you are dressed very warmly? What are some good ways to save/conserve money in Sacramento as a newcomer trying to get set-up on limited funds with no or very new employment? Are there any dangerous or extremely undesirable areas that I don't want to stumble into unwittingly? And lastly...what are the best middle-of-the road areas as far as being fairly decent and not super-expensive but not crime infested slums? Also, do I need mace or pepper spray for daily life? All comments and helpful information appreciated.

[bentobox34]

See below

Originally Posted by mpitch

The things I really want to know: I currently live in Chandler, Arizona. Do any of the grocery stores have Starbucks inside the store?
Yes. Is this really a factor for you in moving to a place?

Are there different utility companies that serve different parts of the city?
I think most areas are on SMUD.

Can you get through a winter without running your heat if you are dressed very warmly?
Depends on your insulation and cold tolerance, but I don't think most people would. We live in an old house, and if we left the heat off we'd have days that would never get above 50 inside, which is too cold for us.

What are some good ways to save/conserve money in Sacramento as a newcomer trying to get set-up on limited funds with no or very new employment?
You would generally need employment and proof of income to secure your own apartment. If you have no employment, hopefully you have a friend's couch to crash on for a while.

Are there any dangerous or extremely undesirable areas that I don't want to stumble into unwittingly?
Yes. South Sac. Although I'm not sure there's much chance you would "stumble unwittingly" into that area.

And lastly...what are the best middle-of-the road areas as far as being fairly decent and not super-expensive but not crime infested slums?
There are dozens of neighborhoods all over the metro area that fit those requirements.

Also, do I need mace or pepper spray for daily life?
No.

All comments and helpful information appreciated.

[NineOneSix]

I went a winter about 12 years ago without heat. Most nights it wasn't a huge deal, pretty comfy sleeping under a comforter, in a hoodie, sweats and two pairs of socks. There were a few nights that were very cold, seeing your breath inside type thing but still doable if you just don't want to use the heat.

[49erfan916]

we have smud for electricity and pge for gas. Winters get really cold for california standards so you may need to run some heat. Most of south sac is bad but it's not like a warzone like juarez mexico. In the north, there's del paso heights but i don't think you will run into that neighborhood. Sacramento is a growing metropolitian and it's getting bigger by the day...and also more expensive.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by mpitch

The things I really want to know: I currently live in Chandler, Arizona. Do any of the grocery stores have Starbucks inside the store? Are there different utility companies that serve different parts of the city? Can you get through a winter without running your heat if you are dressed very warmly? What are some good ways to save/conserve money in Sacramento as a newcomer trying to get set-up on limited funds with no or very new employment? Are there any dangerous or extremely undesirable areas that I don't want to stumble into unwittingly? And lastly...what are the best middle-of-the road areas as far as being fairly decent and not super-expensive but not crime infested slums? Also, do I need mace or pepper spray for daily life? All comments and helpful information appreciated.

SMUD is cheaper than PG&E but only provides Electric, PG&E provides gas service all over the area.

Yes lots of stores have Starbuck's or Peet's coffee

Our heating bill for a 1500 sq ft house is around $40 a month in the winter, we set the thermostat at 68 in the day and 50 at night. Our house is old but well insulated.

It's hard to save money with no job...I never recommend moving to a new area without a job, it's usually a recipe for disaster.

No you don't need pepper spray, avoid north highlands and parts of south sac and you will be fine

[wburg]

If you live in Sacramento County, you get electricity from Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD), whose rates are low and they're leading the state in renewable energy. They're owned by the public. Outside of Sacramento County, you get electricity from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), whose rates are higher and occasionally their gas lines explode. Both buy gas from PG&E. Unless you have a superbly insulated house, you will need to heat it in winter, but usually that's pretty cheap compared to the electricity to cool it in summer--but that will probably cost less than it does in Arizona.

[caligirlz]

What are some good ways to save/conserve money in Sacramento as a newcomer trying to get set-up on limited funds with no or very new employment?
It's really not recommended to come without a job. I understand the waiting lists for subsidized housing are quite long. maybe you could get aid.

Are there any dangerous or extremely undesirable areas that I don't want to stumble into unwittingly?
some of the more notorious areas are North Highlands, Del Paso, parts of Rancho Cordova (north of 50, along Folsom Blvd), Meadowview in South Sac.

And lastly...what are the best middle-of-the road areas as far as being fairly decent and not super-expensive but not crime infested slums? anything but the places listed above.

Also, do I need mace or pepper spray for daily life? not daily, but depending on where you go, and what time of the day you may want to bring it with you. Also, the Sac County Sheriff Depart has a shall issue policy for concealed carry permits which you are more likely to get if you live in the county vs the city.

[JohnS_15]

Originally Posted by wburg

If you live in Sacramento County, you get electricity from Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD), whose rates are low and they're leading the state in renewable energy. They're owned by the public. Outside of Sacramento County, you get electricity from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), whose rates are higher and occasionally their gas lines explode. Both buy gas from PG&E. Unless you have a superbly insulated house, you will need to heat it in winter, but usually that's pretty cheap compared to the electricity to cool it in summer--but that will probably cost less than it does in Arizona.

Interesting. I get electric from SMUD and gas from PG&E. I have gas furnace for heat in winter and electric AC for cool in summer. I find my gas bills much higher for winter heat than electric for summer AC.

We keep the house at 64 in the evenings and mornings and turn it back to 58 during the days/nights when we work/sleep.

In the summer we have it set to 78 for the times we are home so after 5pm and overnight. But we also have a whole house fan we use over cooler evenings/nights.