Is Sacramento a boring city? (Oakland, Richmond: gated, prices, gangs)

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by edwardius

Since about 1950, most cities have lost population, Detroit, Cleveland, St Louis, Chicago, all fewer people today than they did in 1950. Of the cities that did gain population, generally it was from annexation of additional areas, not from densification, annexation of new areas, not densification of existing areas is what has driven Vegas, Sacramento, Phx, and Houston's population growth.

The argument that rail will densify a region is mixed at best. Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, were some of the earliest regions in the country to build rail systems which they still operate but that hasn't prevented those areas of depopulating as the population moved to the suburbs. Buffalo and Rochester built underground rail systems in an attempt to revive downtown, those cities still lost population to the suburbs. Atlanta and Phx are some of the fastest growing regions in the country over the past 3 decades. Atlanta has had heavy rail (Marta) since 1979, yet of the two, Atlanta is significantly less dense than Phx. So the issue isn't just in areas in losing population or declining industries where rail has failed to densify the region.

This also isn't just a US phenomenon. Copenhagen has 40% less population today than it did in 1950. Paris has lost population to it suburban regions.

World wide, cars have increased mobility and meant that people could afford to move to bigger homes in the suburbs. Jobs followed in suburban office parks. For a betting man, the better bet is to bet the trend and assume that while parts of the region may densify, overall the region will continue to drop in density.

The big issue is commuting time, nationwide people who use transit spend about twice as long commuting as people who drive to work and the footloose nature of employment and housing. To save on commuting time people want to live near work. To save on rent, both employees and employers end up on the urban fringe where rents are cheaper for both.

The National Academy of Science just released a study pointing out that the measures to increase density will do little to actually reduce emissions from driving by 2050. The recent increase in the CAFE standards will do more than the projected effects of increasing density by 2050.

Technology Review: Forget Curbing Suburban Sprawl

Lastly look at the local plans. Even under SB 375, the region is going to sprawl more. A lot of the growth is mandated to occur in Lincoln and Elk Grove and this growth will be greenfield development on the farthest fringes of the region. Also look at the counties plans, which again are mostly greenfield development (opening up Vineyard area, areas along the Jackson Highway and some stuff north of Mc Clellan).

Lastly under SB 375, while regions have to zone for there share of regional growth they don't actually have to build it. Some of the infill developments that are proposed probably are vaporware. The county has designated a lot of North Watt Avenue where streetwalkers are currently doing the stroll for infill. The hope is that the new growth would help support a planned BRT route down Watt Avene. Maybe some developer will try to build something in that area, but right now current market prices in that neighborhood are well below replacement costs. A new housing project in that neighborhood needs to be priced high enough to recover construction costs to get built, yet if it is, it will probably be priced so much higher than comparable properties in that neighborhood that it just doesn't sell. Downtown interests had enough clout with redevelopment agencies to make them subsidize these type of urban renewal projects in the grid. But how much clout do the people along N. Watt Avenue have, especially when the proposed BRT route doesn't go downtown?

Lost of population root causes are generally tied to them being ( rust belt cities ) whose core city aren't very attractive to live in anyways.

The point of Phoenix being denser than Atlanta is a joke right.....

[wburg]

Wow, lots of old thread necromancy going on these days...the original post is more than 5 years old! Definitely interesting to read in retrospect, as there is a lot more going on in Sacramento than even just a few years back, in terms of nightlife and new business but also in terms of recovery from the economic crisis and recession, new residential infill not just downtown but in the surrounding neighborhoods.

[Howest2008]

Entertaining thread with the exception of the storm front Nazi rants , but back on subject not being bored is each individual responsibility try YELP.......
Nightlife Downtown, Sacramento, CA

[Mr. Opinionated]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

Thank you...now I know I'm not crazy! Up there regularly, and have experienced this to the point of almost being run off the freeway twice. And I drive the freeways in L.A., which seem, with occasional exceptions, almost laid-back by comparison.

I know what you mean. I think it is the lackadaisical rate of traffic enforcement. Almost to the point it seems that basic road rules are unknown, like slower traffic keeping right and respecting pedestrians. Most of the stuff that goes on here would get you plenty of citations in a hurry in Los Angeles.

[trailtramp]

Originally Posted by Howest2008

Orlando Florida is land locked and not any better than Sacramento California ( Disney World is only fun once a year ) and after that what does Orlando have to offer anyone ..anyways.

And by the way the weather blows in Orlando Florida and the bugs sometimes carry small children away from the safety of theirs parent because they are so huge...large..

Take the Disney factor out of it and Orlando feels like a swamp latrine of a town

[NorCal Dude]

Sacramento is extremely boring.

[Howest2008]

2014 California State Fair - Schedule, Lineup, Attractions, Maps & Directions

And at $12 or $10 a day you can afford to attend all 16 days ...

[pdizo916]

Originally Posted by Mach50

I am interested in this too.

I have been to Sacramento many times and every time I am there I meet someone who used to live in the Bay Area or SoCal and they say "don't move here it is boring".

Sac looks pretty to me and in a good location close to Bay, Tahoe and Yosemite. Houses are affordable, but from what I have gathered even the people who live there say it is a boring city.

It seems people just move there to buy a 300k house in California, but there has to be something to do there besides just live?

Those people who told you this must not know Sacramento. I call Sacramento an underground city meaning that you have to know people in order to know what's fun out here.

In big cities like LA or SF, you could visit that city by yourself and have fun; not here in Sacramento. There's alot going on in Sacramento, and while it's not LA or SF fun, its still something to do. For example, I plan on going to the casino on Friday and be with family on Saturday. Oh yea, SB on sunday.

Sacramento isn't boring but you have to know people who share some of the same interests as you and find your cup of tea out here.

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by pdizo916

Those people who told you this must not know Sacramento. I call Sacramento an underground city meaning that you have to know people in order to know what's fun out here.

In big cities like LA or SF, you could visit that city by yourself and have fun; not here in Sacramento. There's alot going on in Sacramento, and while it's not LA or SF fun, its still something to do. For example, I plan on going to the casino on Friday and be with family on Saturday. Oh yea, SB on sunday.

Sacramento isn't boring but you have to know people who share some of the same interests as you and find your cup of tea out here.

That's sort of true: Let's say for example you want to do one of Sacramento's favorite past times: Raft/float down the American River in the summer -- an outsider may not even know about this or where to go to do it.

The American River flows through the heart of the Sacramento Metro - it is a very clean snow-mountain feed river, free of poisonous snakes, great times in the full sun. Sidenote: this summer will not be a good waterflow year as California is experiencing it's worst drought in 150 years.

I friend of mine was hosting a conference at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento this past week one night. I met him for drinks and we chatted-up some out-of-towners at the hotel bar. They had no idea that around the corner were a cluster of nightclubs. Needless to say, they had a great time at those clubs.

[sacite]

I have to wonder what people that find Sac like to do, or what they feel Sac is lacking.

Community vibe? Best I've ever seen. Go to Gunther's ice cream at 10 p.m and it is packed. You will inevitably get into a friendly conversation with someone. Try saying hi to someone around the Marina in SF. Lol, good luck.

Community events? There are free concerts, artwalks, outdoor foodie events, countless 5/10k runs, political rallies, etc. More free events where people mingle and actually TALK than any other major city I've been to, and it's not even close.

Art/music? There are prob 20 spots to hear open mic here just in midtown, literally. There are well over 20 art galleries in midtown. That should tell you something about the people; creative, open.

Entreprenurials? Small business springing up everywhere. The "foodie" scene here is gaining national notoriety, literally, and great restaurants are springing up everywhere. Unlile SF, SD, LA etc small business owners can afford the rent here. As a result, you find all sorts of great small businesses everywhere here, from Gillato/bakeries, to clothing stores to yoga studios to jewelry stores. Everytime I walk around I find some new and interesting business, or something unexpected like a meditation studio.

Diversity? Sac is the only city in the U.S with no racial majority. So you have every type of food represented here, all kinds of interesting people to learn from. I have friends from so many different backgrounds. It makes life very interesting.

Outdoors life? There are so many great places to jog if you are active. McKinley Park, the Capital, on and on.

Seriously, how can anyone EVER get bored here lol? I mean, this is the best place I've been for social interaction and cultivating friendships by a MILE. Been to or lived in SF, Seattle, SD you name it. There are so many barriers to having a good time in those cities that are eliminated here (parking, money, etc). 40 and 50 yr olds even fit in just fine in packed bars with 20 somethings. You'll rarely see that in SF or LA.

This place is awesome if you are young, single or even midfle aged. You just have to open your eyes and look.