Calling all Sacramento Transplants from Big Cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco: crime, house)

[Calidreemer]

My husband and I are moving out to Sacramento (most likely EDH) from the Chicago area. I have family in the Bay area and in Roseville and we have visited often. I actually lived in Sacramento briefly about 20 years ago.

I am interested in hearing from people who moved to Sacramento from other big cities (LA, NY, SF, etc.) to learn what things they miss, what they love, anything they didn't anticipate (expenses, culture, amenities etc.).

I know the culture will be different then what we are used to, but we are counting on several perceived benefits of living in Sacramento -such as better weather - to off set some of the things we will leave behind.

I am sure there are things I take for granted here that may or may not be part of the culture there. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[wburg]

Well, you won't find any White Castles, the only place with cheese curds is A&W, and there's only one place in town that does a "the works" dog with the neon green relish.

[CityGirl72]

I grew up in Los Angeles - I lived to Sacramento for College - then lived there almost ten years. Then moved up to Seattle, and live there now.

I loved Sac and would move back if I could, right now!

To me it has enough culture, I lived in Midtown so I was in the coffee house/art district/broadway series/concert mecca (for Sac at least)

If you are in El Dorado hills you are in a nice safe clean suburbs (we are looking at Folsom), which is a different lifestyle.

Sacramento , is slower quieter then Chicago, at least the times I've been there. It's not famous here for food, or culture, or art etc. It's famous for being a nice place to live, and raise your kids.

[Calidreemer]

Thanks for your feedback. I just want to be sure we know what we are getting into. The things that were important to me 20 years ago are not necessarily the things that are important to me now.

We really love the foothills, the beautiful weather, the friendly people and how close you are to Sonoma, SF, and Tahoe to name a few. We are really banking on a more active lifestyle that keeps us outdoors instead of stuck in the house because it's too cold and the roads aren't in good condition to go long distances. In fact we are still experiencing weather in the 50's and below. We are so tired of this weather.

I am a little nervous about the dining and culture, but I know we can go into SF if we want that. Otherwise I think we will really love the change. Thanks so much for your help.

[chitowner]

Hi caldreemer, any luck on selling your house?

[Calidreemer]

Hi Chitowner - We are still a couple weeks away with putting it on the market. Due to the weather here we haven't been able to put in our landscaping and our realtor does not want to list before it is done.

Like we discussed before, we are going to be flexible in our departure date. I am trying to set things up so I have a portable job (will find out this week).

How are you guys doing? Any nibbles? Are you guys just taking a leap of faith and moving and then finding jobs or do you have jobs and need to get out there soon?

[cw68]

Calidreemer, you'll do OK with the dining part. California cuisine is excellent. The pizza, on the other hand, really stinks. Chicago Fire Pizza in Folsom and on J Street in Midtown is the closest you can come to good pizza out here. But there's great food all around.

Culture, on the other hand, doesn't compare. The lifestyle, economics and size don't allow them to be compared. That said, Sacto has improved leaps and bounds since I moved here in 2001. I went to 2nd Saturday Art Walk downtown last night and it was packed. There's a decent art movement out here, but I was impressed with the sheer numbers of people that came downtown. Streets were blocked off, bands were playing in parking lots and the like.

[Calidreemer]

Hi CW68 - nice to see you again! I know you can give me a realistic comparison because you moved there from the Chicago area. We are in Deerfield now so we don't live in the city proper, but it is easy to get down town by the Metra or driving. We do go into the city for theatre once in a while and for dinner, but mostly stay out in the burbs because there is so much to do here too.

I guess this came up because I was really thinking about the trade offs. I want to be sure we will have made a fair trade. What do you think? You were in our shoes.

[cw68]

Culture wise, it's not a fair trade, at least in the immediate local area. However, whatever I find lacking in Sacramento is more than made up for by Amador County wines, Lake Tahoe, Napa, San Francisco, Yosemite, Shasta, etc. My life is richer geographically since moving here. That and I love the hot weather.

Eating in the Sacramento area is good. Midtown Sacramento has grown by leaps and bounds since I've been here and I don't think that's going to stop. But, the 'burbs aren't all that. It's the same if you compare Chicago to its suburbs too. The suburbs here will give you every possible chain restaurant and strip mall you could ever want tossed in with some snobbery, fear of crime and urbanity and the like. All in all it's a good place in which to live, but I'm very glad I spent my 20s back in Chicago.

[Calidreemer]

Thanks for the information CW68 I appreciate it. I think we will love the life style and the hot weather. We are just really frustrated by the job search. I thought I had a job that would work but they really low balled me so I had to pass. I am hoping something will come up in the next few months. It's very frustrating.

I am with you about growing up in this area. I grew up in Evanston, so I have a feeling I might have a more liberal attitude then some in there, but that's Ok. I get along with most people. I just hope we can get out there soon, another winter here just sounds horrible.

Thanks again for your information. You always do a great job in your posts.