Wanting out of Elk Grove! Where to? (Sacramento, Fairfield: lease, crime)

[the4ks]

We just moved to Elk Grove this past December. We're so glad that we're in a short-term lease because we really don't like it here. We're from Seattle, so we're used to lots of hills, mountains, trees and just a beautiful landscape. Elk Grove is the opposite of all these things and little did we know when we moved here how much we'd miss all of that.

We're currently looking in Sonoma, but aren't sure if we want to move that far from Sacramento since most of our immediate family is here. We're only familiar with the Fairfield/Vacaville area other than Elk Grove/Sacramento, so we're hoping that someone out there knows of some hidden gems within a 20 or 30 mile radius where you think we might be interested in living.

A little bit more about us... we have two young children, both boys. We love spending time outdoors (thus the move to California from Seattle.) One of our favorite pastimes as a family is taking late afternoon/evening walks, which is why Sonoma looked perfect for us. We thought it would be fun to walk around downtown among the tourists and locals. We'd like to live in an older pre-50's home, another reason why Sonoma looked nice. It has an abundance of those. We like the well-established, non-commercial feel. We like to support family owned businesses and shop farmer's markets.

Any ideas would be much appreciated. Our lease is up in June and we'd like to know where we're headed next. THANK YOU!

[wburg]

You aren't really going to find much within 20-30 miles of Sacramento that has many hills, since we're in the middle of a big valley. You might take a look at Folsom, Loomis or Rocklin, they are in the base of the foothills. Either that or take a drive around the Delta, down the river, and see if that appeals to your eye; just because the landscape is flat doesn't mean it can't be pretty.

Either that, or consider moving closer to Sacramento's central city. The neighborhoods surrounding downtown are long on trees, historic homes and local businesses. Not many hills to speak of, but many of us find it pleasant and it makes for easy bike riding.

[CityGirl72]

Hi I'm from Sacramento, and moved to Seattle (Greenlake) five years ago. And I can't handle it here at all! I think with all the hills and grey clouds it's claustrophobic...I need SPACE.. I need to feel like I'm not suffocating!

But enough about me.

What did you like about Seattle? What part were you in? If you could chose to move back which area would you love to live in?

Answer those and I'll tell you where you can find it or as close as possible to it.

And if you've only been there since December - you are goingto HATE it come August. I've always said Seattle people melt in weather warmer then 80 degrees

(But hey if you'd like to move back to Seattle , I've got a great deal on my house for you!)

[edi_x12]

Anything else that you don't like about Elk Grove, CA?
I hear it has a lot of crimes and drugs issues.
However, the schools are supposedly pretty good?
Can anyone shed some light ?

[KidBlue]

Older Folsom, Diamond Springs if you don't mind a long commute, Rescue, and Loomis might be places to try. You might also want to try old town Fair Oaks.There are some older neighborhoods in Sacramento that have lots of trees, but no hills. They all will be cheaper than Sonoma. I've never been to Seattle but there are lots of hills and trees around Sacramento, but it isn't cool from May to November anywhere near.....

[the4ks]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

Hi I'm from Sacramento, and moved to Seattle (Greenlake) five years ago. And I can't handle it here at all! I think with all the hills and grey clouds it's claustrophobic...I need SPACE.. I need to feel like I'm not suffocating!

But enough about me.

What did you like about Seattle? What part were you in? If you could chose to move back which area would you love to live in?

Answer those and I'll tell you where you can find it or as close as possible to it.

And if you've only been there since December - you are goingto HATE it come August. I've always said Seattle people melt in weather warmer then 80 degrees

(But hey if you'd like to move back to Seattle , I've got a great deal on my house for you!)

The biggest reason we moved from Seattle was because of the weather. Even after living there for 30 years, I never got used to the constant cloud cover. It drove me crazy. I lived in Austin during last summer's record breaking temperatures and 100% humidity, so I know I can handle California!

I didn't actually live in Seattle. I never cared for that busy of a lifestyle. The one-way streets and steep hills made me nervous, so I went to the city as least often as I could. If I had to move back, I would probably move to Bellevue, just outside downtown. Even though it's busy, it's a fraction of the scale of Seattle and is very hip and safe. My 2nd choice would be Mercer Island - small town feel, but just a bridge away from everything. I absolutely love "the Eastside" - Mercer Island, Newcastle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah...

[the4ks]

Originally Posted by edi_x12

Anything else that you don't like about Elk Grove, CA?
I hear it has a lot of crimes and drugs issues.
However, the schools are supposedly pretty good?
Can anyone shed some light ?

I haven't lived here long enough to experience those things or know of anyone who has. I have, however, met several people who have lived here awhile and they agree that the crime is definitely creeping in. They also say the schools are good.

[CityGirl72]

Well you realize that Mercer Island or Issaquah or Snoqualmie Ridge or Bellevue are expensive right??

Cuz you live in Elk Grove, which is known as AFFORDABLE (cheaper) family living. I'd compare Elk Grove with like Federal Way, or a nice part of Renton (I highly dislike Renton)

Maybe Elk Grove is like Bothell/MillCreek

But anyway, so you want Mercer Island/Bellevue area - but can you afford it? If you can, look into Granite Bay or El Dorado Hills part of Sac. It's much nicer

You might find you really like Davis, other then that, it sounds like you want an elite butout of the city lifestyle, and those are closest ideas in the Sac Valley

[the4ks]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

Well you realize that Mercer Island or Issaquah or Snoqualmie Ridge or Bellevue are expensive right??

Cuz you live in Elk Grove, which is known as AFFORDABLE (cheaper) family living. I'd compare Elk Grove with like Federal Way, or a nice part of Renton (I highly dislike Renton)

Maybe Elk Grove is like Bothell/MillCreek

But anyway, so you want Mercer Island/Bellevue area - but can you afford it? If you can, look into Granite Bay or El Dorado Hills part of Sac. It's much nicer

You might find you really like Davis, other then that, it sounds like you want an elite butout of the city lifestyle, and those are closest ideas in the Sac Valley

On the contrary! I like those things about Washington, but I'm ready for a change. I'm looking for a small town, full of mom and pop restaurants and shops. I want a weekly farmer's market within walking distance. I don't mind paying more for it. I want privacy - doesn't have to be a huge house, but a big yard would be nice. I peeked at Granite Bay. It looks appealing. May look into that more, but I don't think it's the feeling I'm looking for exactly. I don't know if anything really compares to Sonoma, do you?

If anyone has anything horrible to say about Sonoma, please don't hold back. I want to hear it!

[Curmudgeon]

Have you looked at Auburn or Placerville? A bit of a drive but decidedly not flat!