We WISH we could buy in Folsom, but where else would be okay? (Sacramento: environment)

[romanceisdead]

We live here in Folsom, and we love it. But prices are still crazy here for a one income family. Makes me crazy. I am staying home with our young kids right now, and going to grad-school at night. So we need to stay in budget, which is under 300.
I see lots of houses, but am not too familure with the areas. (from chico). What do you think of the new building out in Rancho Cordova? I KNOW the schools suck. But it has a newer school out there, and we may move before they reach highschool. Or maybe they could go to Folsom, because my husbands works at Intel. And I know no shopping has gone in yet, as well. That stinks.
But. It is so tempting, as the homes are new and nice, and the drive is so close! But we hear a lot of nay-sayers about Rancho. I know there are good and bad areas in most places... Lots of families seem to be living happy out there.
We have also looked at Rocklin and Roseville for the good schools, but man! The drive would kill us with gas.
Any ideas? What do you think of the Vineyard area in sac, to the east of Elk Grove? What is that drive into Folsom like? I see on Great Schools that the schools in that area are all very good. (8s and 9s), and houses are much cheaper, like in Rancho.
Help??

[NewToCA]

The new area in Rancho Cordova is a bit of a gamble. The schools should be OK, it is in the Elk Grove School District and they have a new elementary school in the area.

But, the area is really isolated, and both Centex and Pulte pulled out of a fairly large development, leaving a lot of money behind in withdrawing from the area:

Two of Sacramento's top builders have unloaded 250 acres approved for new homes in Rancho Cordova for 16 cents on the dollar -- the first major land sell-off in the capital area since housing sales collapsed last year.

The builders paid $50 million during the housing boom in 2004, then pumped millions more -- possibly as much as $30 million -- in site improvements into the venture, those sources said.

The ranch land, known as "Montelena," has approvals for 879 homes, but it could be years before any construction takes place due to traffic concerns and the high fees in Rancho Cordova's Sunrise-Douglas area.

Centex, Pulte dump land in Rancho - Sacramento Business Journal:


Recent court rulings make further development in the near future seem rather bleak too:

A Superior Court Judge has set aside Sacramento County's approval of the 6,000-acre Sunrise-Douglas project that's now located in the newly incorporated city of Rancho Cordova.

Sunrise-Douglas is a massive project calling for 22,500 homes and various commercial ventures that was sued by several environmental groups hoping to preserve wetlands habitats.

Judge Lloyd Connelly Jr. based his ruling on a California Supreme Court finding in 2007 that Sunrise-Douglas lacked a confirmed water supply sufficient for the full buildout.

Rancho Cordova must address water issues at Sunrise-Douglas project - Sacramento Business Journal:


When you add in the isolation and distance from any type of shopping at all, and the current prices of gas, the immediate future for that area seems a bit dicey.

[CityGirl72]

You are in Folsom now? Do you need to move? You could always rent til the kids get older.

Other then that - NewTo CA advice rocks

[Mossy]

We went rhu the same thing. We live in Folsom now and had to look outside the area. But, we chose this as well as we aren't a huge fan of the area. We lived in folsom for 8 years. We looked in fair oaks and orangevale but started looking in citrus heights and e. roseville and finally put in an offer in citrus heights. The home is beautiful. Not our first choice of the area but it isn't bad. We had to choose btw. getting the home we wanted and not being in the best area or buying in a great area and not getting the home we wanted.

We choose to get the home we wanted. We will hear by today. For us, we had to be super fast with an offer. We already made 3 offers and didn't get any home. This is the fourth offer we have made in 4 weeks. I know it is so frustrating but just enjoy the experience and know that something will come up.

Best of luck to you.

[B to the T]

Parts of East Roseville are great, older homes with character... West Roseville for the packed in, small yard, two story look... but fairly pricey, but homes are still coming down, much to the chagrin of my RE friends... there have been some deals in the 250k range...

[romanceisdead]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

The new area in Rancho Cordova is a bit of a gamble. The schools should be OK, it is in the Elk Grove School District and they have a new elementary school in the area.

But, the area is really isolated, and both Centex and Pulte pulled out of a fairly large development, leaving a lot of money behind in withdrawing from the area:

Two of Sacramento's top builders have unloaded 250 acres approved for new homes in Rancho Cordova for 16 cents on the dollar -- the first major land sell-off in the capital area since housing sales collapsed last year.

The builders paid $50 million during the housing boom in 2004, then pumped millions more -- possibly as much as $30 million -- in site improvements into the venture, those sources said.

The ranch land, known as "Montelena," has approvals for 879 homes, but it could be years before any construction takes place due to traffic concerns and the high fees in Rancho Cordova's Sunrise-Douglas area.

Centex, Pulte dump land in Rancho - Sacramento Business Journal:


Recent court rulings make further development in the near future seem rather bleak too:

A Superior Court Judge has set aside Sacramento County's approval of the 6,000-acre Sunrise-Douglas project that's now located in the newly incorporated city of Rancho Cordova.

Sunrise-Douglas is a massive project calling for 22,500 homes and various commercial ventures that was sued by several environmental groups hoping to preserve wetlands habitats.

Judge Lloyd Connelly Jr. based his ruling on a California Supreme Court finding in 2007 that Sunrise-Douglas lacked a confirmed water supply sufficient for the full buildout.

Rancho Cordova must address water issues at Sunrise-Douglas project - Sacramento Business Journal:


When you add in the isolation and distance from any type of shopping at all, and the current prices of gas, the immediate future for that area seems a bit dicey.

**SIGH** I had read these things as well. They have given us pause, yes.

[romanceisdead]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

You are in Folsom now? Do you need to move? You could always rent til the kids get older.

Other then that - NewTo CA advice rocks

We could. But man. We want to own a home! We have been waiting out this market fooooor eeevvveerr... Now to think of just waiting even longer... And we are not that young-- mid 30's. It isn't like we are kids, you know? We feel like we "should" own a home!

[romanceisdead]

Originally Posted by Mossy

We went rhu the same thing. We live in Folsom now and had to look outside the area. But, we chose this as well as we aren't a huge fan of the area. We lived in folsom for 8 years. We looked in fair oaks and orangevale but started looking in citrus heights and e. roseville and finally put in an offer in citrus heights. The home is beautiful. Not our first choice of the area but it isn't bad. We had to choose btw. getting the home we wanted and not being in the best area or buying in a great area and not getting the home we wanted.

We choose to get the home we wanted. We will hear by today. For us, we had to be super fast with an offer. We already made 3 offers and didn't get any home. This is the fourth offer we have made in 4 weeks. I know it is so frustrating but just enjoy the experience and know that something will come up.
Best of luck to you.

Good luck to you , too! Hope you get it. We have looked out there, too. We have also lost about four bids as well. Isn't it so frustraiting?? lol! Everyone thinks it is such a "buyers market", you can almost name your price an dwalk away with a house. Ha! WRONG. It is such a pain in the butt, the whole thing. I am trying to stay in a good frame of mind, but you can tell all the joy has just been sucked right out of me. Really. heh.

[romanceisdead]

Originally Posted by B to the T

Parts of East Roseville are great, older homes with character... West Roseville for the packed in, small yard, two story look... but fairly pricey, but homes are still coming down, much to the chagrin of my RE friends... there have been some deals in the 250k range...

It is just SUCH a drive everyday... But it may be worth it. I mean, who needs to put their kids through college, right? lol

[Mossy]

Sorry to hijack this post but I wanted to let you all know WE GOT THE HOUSE!!! We are so thrilled. Good luck to you all. I know it is highly frustrating but keep the faith.