Need help about sacramento neighborhoods (Davis: real estate, budget, showing)

[Allthegoodnameswheregone]

Ive been checking out houses here in sac, my husband is getting out of the marines in march next year and we want to buy a house before he does, but I was looking around certain zip codes in our budget which are

95820, 95815, 95817, 95838, 95823, 95824, 95822

Were just looking for a cottage, 2br 1 bath house while we go to school in sac, but I wasnt sure how these neighborhoods are? Im not looking for the nicest neighboorhood, but I dont want to worry about bullets coming through my windows if you know what I mean. Plus these seem closer to Sac state, which is where we will be going. Any advice on these areas? Were looking under 70grande, which I know will be somewhat of a fixer but with the market right now they are out there!! Any help would be great Thank you!

[california5]

Sac State is a great school, I went there way back when.
I can't help you with the zip codes, I've been away too long. I do know that it's best to avoid the southern part of the city.
This website seems to show were most crime concentration appears to be, Sacramento Crime Map - Showing Crime in Sacramento, CA - Crime Statistics - Crime Alerts - Crime Stops Here
In all honesty, I think the homes in your range (that was a $70,000 buying price, right?) are going to be in rougher neighborhoods.
Would living in a town on the outskirts of Sac be an option? Davis is nice, but then I'm not sure how expensive housing is there now.

[Allthegoodnameswheregone]

That map was amazing, I didnt even know it existed! Its surprising the zip codes seem to be sort of on the outskirts of the crummy areas. Ill be sure to check them out in person day and night, but we live in San diego so it makes it a little difficult but I really appreciate it!

In response to outside, I wouldnt mind what do you recommend? Only thing is gas prices

Good thing they just changed the GI bill its going to make 4 Yrs of school a lot easier on us financially!

[wburg]

Under $70K in Sacramento will only get you a serious fixer in a bad neighborhood. Many houses in that price range have been stripped of electrical wiring and plumbing by scroungers, who sell the copper at recycling yards (it fetches $3 a pound.) This means you'll have to spend $10,000 or more just to make the place habitable. A friend just put a bid in on such a house, but he's perfectly aware that he will have to get an alarm installed, and do a whole lot of work to make it habitable, and he's a single male who is used to living in rough neighborhoods. I wouldn't advise it for a young family looking for a nice place to live.

Midtown and East Sacramento are popular choices for Sac State students, so is the Arden/Arcade area or along Howe Avenue. Both are close to public transit and near Sac State--Sac State students can ride free on Sacramento's buses and light rail, but parking costs like $180 a semester. If you live close by it can save you a ton of cash, which might leave more money for a house later.

My advice would be to rent at first, in a place close to Sac State (the neighborhoods around the school are all pretty nice.) Save your money and buy a house in a nicer neighborhood. Good luck, and my gratitude for your husband's service to our country.

[CityGirl72]

At 70K , I advise renting too. 70K in most neighborhoods is a down payment, not a house price. You would be living in some really bad areas for that price. You can't even buy a condo for that price

Actually speaking of condos, I've been looking at the market - and you guys can get a 1 bedroom for about 100K or a two bedroom for 130K, in the 95825 zip code which is right by Sac State. Check it out!

[Efeelou]

What a coincidence! My husband just got out of the Marines last week and we moved to Sacramento. We too had planned to buy a house before he got out but decided to rent for a year or so to get to know the neighborhoods a little better (Sac is SO different from one neighborhood to the next). We're renting a house in Land Park -- which we LOVE -- and also going to school at Sac State in the fall. We found our place on craigslist but originally were shopping for homes on ZipRealty Real Estate -- Homes for sale and local real estate agents (which is very helpful when you don't live in the area).

Do you happen to know- do the added GI Bill benefits apply to Marines getting out right now? We assumed we wouldn't qualify since all the ed paperwork my husband signed was done prior to the adjustment. Thanks!