Natomas areas (Sacramento, Orange, Roseville: real estate, apartment, to rent)

[hellaslover]

Could someone point me in the right direction regarding what are the best areas in natomas to purchase a home (by zip code if possible)? By best i mean areas that are considered clean, safe and better valued. I am not really looking for one of the new houses built since they have minimal back yard, so something a little older with bigger lot. thanks

[ubu]

In general, the older parts of Natomas haven't held up well. Most of South Natomas (the area south of 80 and east of 5) are pretty dumpy. If you go West of 5 and south of 80, there are some older neighborhoods behind Chevy's, that have held up a little better. There is a golf course off of Swallow's Nest and there are homes facing the golf course that are older that have held up pretty well, but as I recall they didn't have a back yard, instead they looked out over the golf course. As I recall, that area is a gated community.

But if I was looking for a home with a bigger lots, I would probably be looking in some of the older parts of Carmicheal, Orangevale or Fair Oaks. Off Winding Way in Fair Oaks or off California Avenue, you can find lots big enough board horses. If that is too expensive, in Rio Linda, again you can find really big lots, but the neighborhood isn't as nice.

But if I was looking for homes on big lots in a nice safe neighborhood, Natomas isn't the first place that comes to mind.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by ubu

In general, the older parts of Natomas haven't held up well. Most of South Natomas (the area south of 80 and east of 5) are pretty dumpy. If you go West of 5 and south of 80, there are some older neighborhoods behind Chevy's, that have held up a little better. There is a golf course off of Swallow's Nest and there are homes facing the golf course that are older that have held up pretty well, but as I recall they didn't have a back yard, instead they looked out over the golf course. As I recall, that area is a gated community.

But if I was looking for a home with a bigger lots, I would probably be looking in some of the older parts of Carmicheal, Orangevale or Fair Oaks. Off Winding Way in Fair Oaks or off California Avenue, you can find lots big enough board horses. If that is too expensive, in Rio Linda, again you can find really big lots, but the neighborhood isn't as nice.

But if I was looking for homes on big lots in a nice safe neighborhood, Natomas isn't the first place that comes to mind.

I rented in Swallow's Nest for four years. It was very pleasant and very safe because there is a 24 hr gate manned with a security guard. I thought about buying there but changed my mind because of the high HOA fees.
The Home Owners Association skimped on maintenance for years, so they did not have enough cash to repair the roofs. They proposed levying a $2000 special assessment to make up for it. Last I heard, HOA fees were about $415/month. If you are a golfer it may be worth it to you. However, the high fees hurt resale prospects.

[hellaslover]

let me explain my situation really quick and the reason i consider natomas:

First of all it is my parents who will purchase the home. They do want a nice, big house and relatively new but also in their price range (apprx. 200k). They do not want a more expensive house since i will be moving out in a couple of years and they don't want to be stuck with a big mortgage once they get older. The only areas that offer all 3 (new, big and cheap houses) are natomas, elk grove and parts in roseville. We are opening a store in yuba city and natomas falls right in between sacramento and yuba city, which saves a lot of commute and gas money in the long run. Roseville and elk grove are also nice areas but they are in opposite directions.
A real estate told my parents that they are building some sort of walls and drainage system around natomas and that the area will not be considered in a flood zone in a few years, which means no flood insurance will be required and prices will go up.
We did visit natomas a few times and i never really saw why it's considered a bad area (we visited the part north of arco arena). There are people walking late in the afternoon, playgrounds are full of kids and everyone seems friendly. I might be wrong but i would describe that part of natomas a lot better than elk grove. correct me if i'm wrong.

For these reasons my parents really like natomas. Considering our situation should we stay clear off natomas and look somewhere else? is natomas really that bad?

[zen_klown]

Housing Yuba City is much cheaper than Sacramento. If they bought a home in Yuba City, they wouldn't be spending so much money commuting back and forth from the area and they could buy a better home for less money.

Is there a particular reason they want to live in Sacramento?

[GLS]

Originally Posted by zen_klown

Housing Yuba City is much cheaper than Sacramento. If they bought a home in Yuba City, they wouldn't be spending so much money commuting back and forth from the area and they could buy a better home for less money.

Is there a particular reason they want to live in Sacramento?

I agree. I work in Yuba City and have an apartment in Natomas. Much better buys in Yuba City, much less competition if they intend to rent it out after you leave, and the commute gets tiresome, especially on foggy days in the winter. I also believe the info on Natomas being converted into a "non-flood" zone is either wishful thinking or is in the distant future.

[wburg]

Originally Posted by hellaslover

We are opening a store in yuba city and natomas falls right in between sacramento and yuba city, which saves a lot of commute and gas money in the long run.

Check your map again. Natomas is WITHIN the city of Sacramento, it's just on the northern edge. It's maybe 2-3 miles closer to Yuba City, but Yuba City is about 45-50 miles from Sacramento. So you're talking less than 10% savings in gas over living in central Sacramento.

If you're opening a store in Yuba City, why not look for a place that's actually close to Yuba City...like Yuba City or Marysville, not a city 40 miles away.

[hellaslover]

i'm sorry the store is halfway to yuba city, not in yuba city. it's about 20-25 miles from sacramento towards yuba city (takes me less than 30mins to get there). From where i live now (in the 95826) it takes me 10-15 minutes to get to natomas, so i figured i would be living half way to the store if i lived in natomas.
The reason we don't want to live in yuba city is because we have family and friends in sacramento, and the wholesale places where we would be buying the stuff once or twice a week is in sacramento. And sacramento (or natomas) is much nicer than yuba city.
wburg i know natomas is sacramento, but i referred to it as natomas since it's a more specific area.