Has anyone moved to Sacramento and regretted it? (Folsom, Rocklin: sales, condos)

[ndfmnlf]

Originally Posted by Ludachris

I I've pointed out statements you made and you keep avoiding them, making it sound as if I'm changing my argument (your comparison of multilingual children as being more intelligent than Curmudgeon not being an insult - when your intent was pretty clear).

Like I said before, if you think it was an insult, be my guest. Wallow in victimhood if you want. Your opinion is not going to change the fact that multilingual children are in all probability a lot smarter than Curmudgeon.

[ndfmnlf]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

I think the city vs suburbs area is an important point. Where you live may significantly impact your perception of the area. For example, folks who live in El Dorado Hills may find the area to be significantly different from those who live much in closer to the downtown area.

My relatives live in Folsom. They moved from Naperville, Illinois. They don't regret their move one bit. While Naperville is a great city, the absence of snow in Folsom just allows them to enjoy the outdoors more year round.

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

Like I said before, if you think it was an insult, be my guest. Wallow in victimhood if you want.

Nice.

[wburg]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

My relatives live in Folsom. They moved from Naperville, Illinois. They don't regret their move one bit. While Naperville is a great city, the absence of snow in Folsom just allows them to enjoy the outdoors more year round.

Naperville and Folsom kind of have a lot in common: they are both former small-town farming communities that have evolved into relatively wealthy and comfortable exo-burbs. Naperville is larger, but they are both commuter cities: Folsom has both freeway and light rail commuter connections directly to downtown Sacramento. And yeah, you don't have to shovel sunshine off of your driveway.

[deuterdu]

Originally Posted by Majin

This is by far the dumbest thread I have read and I feel like I dropped a few IQ points after reading most of the responses here.

Almost all of the complaints here about Sac are generic complaints that apply to any big city and especially any california city. And the "nothing to here" complaints are pathetic at best if not down right hilarious considering that most of the people making those complaints either don't provide examples or compare Sac to places like NYC or LA. I'd say if you're compaing Sac's entertainment scene to the #1 and #2 biggest cities in the country we are doing quite well.

Also quite telling that nearly everybody in this thread complaining about Sac are all ones that moved out to state to some small town in the south (like the above poster- Cary NC???). This isn't about Sac at all, it's a dislike of California.

Okay that is fair. I lived in Sacramento from 1972-1984 then again from 1987 - 2006 which means I have a pretty good idea of the place. Not to mention I drove for UPS as a split driver (means I delivered every zip code)15 years and know every neighborhood of Sacramento. I did not want to have to hammer the place but since you say our responses are stupid I will share all of the reasons WE left: Materialistic attitudes. Whatever your conversation is it always ends up in what you have and how much you make High cost of living Smog smog smog One of the worst allergy places in the USA (it kills me every spring) Overgrowth of housing No defined nice areas in Sacramento one street is nice next block over has gangs Grafitti all over everything (Yes there actually are cities without all of that grafitti. A little sure but many California cities have this as a severe problem and beside LA I think Sac is probably#2) Back in 87 Sacramento legislators voted down a measure to complete the business 80 loop to put in a stupid light rail system that costs tax payers a fortune for the very small segment of the population that actually uses it That is why the Auburn blvd exit off of 80 suddenly dead ends. Look at the map, they began a loop and then stopped. You can thank the moron Ann Rudin for that great idea next time you are stuck anywhere east and southeast of Auburn blvd. Traffic is horrid as a result. So of course they re name it Capital City Freeway instead of Capital City Screw up. Watt and Fair Oaks was voted the worst intersection in the USA at one point (back in early 90's) and Greenback and Sunrise was #3 same year! Crime is high especially car theft. The school systems leave a lot to be desired, not because of lack of parent involvement but because California mis manages its funds and the schools are always broke. It is apparent with all of the portable trailers they try to pass off as a school. Sacramento specifically has a lack of industry to attract highly skilled workers. The real estate market was fueled by Bay Area speculators, nothing more. Hence the reason for Sac town being one of the hardest hit areas in the USA right there with Detroit, Stockton and parts of Florida. Funny thing is we have several neighbors that moved from Sacramento to Cary NC because they were laid off and found good paying jobs here and love living here. None of them have indicated that they were happier in Sacramento.
I still have a lot of dear friends who I have know all of my life who live there and there is a lot of beauty in California. Tahoe, Yosemite, Mendocino etc. It's not all bad but it sure in hell isn't a bowl of cherries either. I am sorry to those who take offense to my comments but these are the reasons I decided to leave. If my apology is not enough then don't read my posts on a forum that draws controversy and emotion. If you are happy then that is great live and be happy but I can honestly say that I do not regret moving and I know a lot of Californians who are wanting to leave but can't because they like many Americans are trapped in a home worth less than they owe. I posted below some interesting crime stats. Sacramento is not one of the worst but it is above the national average in several categories of crime.



General Information: Violent vs. Property Crime Rate:
State: California (CA) Violent Crime Property Crime
City Population: 439,811
Murder: 43
Forcible Rape: 187
Robbery: 1,630
Aggravated Assault: 1,560
Burglary: 5,606
Larceny or Theft: 15,374
Car Theft: 7,286
Arson: 401
Data Source:
2003 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
Zero values may indicate the data was not available. 3,420 28,266
Sacramento Violent Crime Rate per Capita:
Murder Forcible Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault All Violent Crime
National Local National Local National Local National Local National Local

Is 1.28 times the National Average Is 1.17 times the National Average Is 1.69 times the National Average Is 0.98 times the National Average Is 1.30 times the National Average
Sacramento Property Crime Rate per Capita:
Burglary Larceny or Theft Car Theft Arson All Property Crime
National Local National Local National Local National Local National Local

Is 1.50 times the National Average Is 1.18 times the National Average Is 2.76 times the National Average Is 3.07 times the National Average Is 1.46 times the National Average

[deuterdu]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

If you suspect the government and Census Bureau are deliberately trying to deceive you with false data, then I can't help you there. Sorry, but I think you've got bigger epistemological problems to resolve (eg did the government lie about the existence of UFOs?) than your doubts about the veracity of the ethnolinguistic profile of the US.

Oh brother, it's getting deep

[deuterdu]

Originally Posted by wburg

Naperville and Folsom kind of have a lot in common: they are both former small-town farming communities that have evolved into relatively wealthy and comfortable exo-burbs. Naperville is larger, but they are both commuter cities: Folsom has both freeway and light rail commuter connections directly to downtown Sacramento. And yeah, you don't have to shovel sunshine off of your driveway.

I lived in folsom and it is pretty nice. However not everyone can live in Folsom. My wife is from that area in Illinois and she disliked Sacramento (Folsom too).

[wburg]

Originally Posted by deuterdu

I lived in folsom and it is pretty nice. However not everyone can live in Folsom. My wife is from that area in Illinois and she disliked Sacramento (Folsom too).

I'm from that area of Illinois too, and I like Sacramento fine (well, okay, I was born in Skokie.) I was pretty much explicitly comparing Folsom and Naperville, both of which are high-end suburbs where most people can't afford to live. Personally I don't mind Folsom too much but would find it horribly boring--Sacramento is a bit more my speed. But then, I like a city that's a little rough around the edges...like me.

[Casportsfan]

Originally Posted by deuterdu

Okay that is fair. I lived in Sacramento from 1972-1984 then again from 1987 - 2006 which means I have a pretty good idea of the place. Not to mention I drove for UPS as a split driver (means I delivered every zip code)15 years and know every neighborhood of Sacramento. I did not want to have to hammer the place but since you say our responses are stupid I will share all of the reasons WE left: Materialistic attitudes. Whatever your conversation is it always ends up in what you have and how much you make High cost of living Smog smog smog One of the worst allergy places in the USA (it kills me every spring) Overgrowth of housing No defined nice areas in Sacramento one street is nice next block over has gangs Grafitti all over everything (Yes there actually are cities without all of that grafitti. A little sure but many California cities have this as a severe problem and beside LA I think Sac is probably#2) Back in 87 Sacramento legislators voted down a measure to complete the business 80 loop to put in a stupid light rail system that costs tax payers a fortune for the very small segment of the population that actually uses it That is why the Auburn blvd exit off of 80 suddenly dead ends. Look at the map, they began a loop and then stopped. You can thank the moron Ann Rudin for that great idea next time you are stuck anywhere east and southeast of Auburn blvd. Traffic is horrid as a result. So of course they re name it Capital City Freeway instead of Capital City Screw up. Watt and Fair Oaks was voted the worst intersection in the USA at one point (back in early 90's) and Greenback and Sunrise was #3 same year! Crime is high especially car theft. The school systems leave a lot to be desired, not because of lack of parent involvement but because California mis manages its funds and the schools are always broke. It is apparent with all of the portable trailers they try to pass off as a school. Sacramento specifically has a lack of industry to attract highly skilled workers. The real estate market was fueled by Bay Area speculators, nothing more. Hence the reason for Sac town being one of the hardest hit areas in the USA right there with Detroit, Stockton and parts of Florida. Funny thing is we have several neighbors that moved from Sacramento to Cary NC because they were laid off and found good paying jobs here and love living here. None of them have indicated that they were happier in Sacramento.
I still have a lot of dear friends who I have know all of my life who live there and there is a lot of beauty in California. Tahoe, Yosemite, Mendocino etc. It's not all bad but it sure in hell isn't a bowl of cherries either. I am sorry to those who take offense to my comments but these are the reasons I decided to leave. If my apology is not enough then don't read my posts on a forum that draws controversy and emotion. If you are happy then that is great live and be happy but I can honestly say that I do not regret moving and I know a lot of Californians who are wanting to leave but can't because they like many Americans are trapped in a home worth less than they owe. I posted below some interesting crime stats. Sacramento is not one of the worst but it is above the national average in several categories of crime.



General Information: Violent vs. Property Crime Rate:
State: California (CA) Violent Crime Property Crime
City Population: 439,811
Murder: 43
Forcible Rape: 187
Robbery: 1,630
Aggravated Assault: 1,560
Burglary: 5,606
Larceny or Theft: 15,374
Car Theft: 7,286
Arson: 401
Data Source:
2003 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
Zero values may indicate the data was not available. 3,420 28,266
Sacramento Violent Crime Rate per Capita:
Murder Forcible Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault All Violent Crime
National Local National Local National Local National Local National Local

Is 1.28 times the National Average Is 1.17 times the National Average Is 1.69 times the National Average Is 0.98 times the National Average Is 1.30 times the National Average
Sacramento Property Crime Rate per Capita:
Burglary Larceny or Theft Car Theft Arson All Property Crime
National Local National Local National Local National Local National Local

Is 1.50 times the National Average Is 1.18 times the National Average Is 2.76 times the National Average Is 3.07 times the National Average Is 1.46 times the National Average

OK, no offense, but I have to say that at least half of what you have posted is complete Bulls___t. It's a bit confusing as well that you post these extreme views that elicit emotion and then request that "if my apology is not enough then don't read my posts" and emplore others not to respond. You do know that's what people do here. They read posts and respond to them. And, the more extreme the view, the more extreme the reaction, in general.

I agree with you on the housing market and your point regarding speculation. I agree with your point regarding the underfunding of the CA school systems as well. The rest of what you posted is a bit absurd:

1) Gangs - I'm not sure what area of the city you lived in, but there is not "grafitti" posted everywhere in Sac, and the vast majority of the city is not bordered by gangs, or even in remote proximity to any gangs. As with any city with a metro population of 2 mil+, there are definitely areas of the city to stay away from, but they are very distinct. It's a gross embeleshment to insinuate that you'll be in a nice area one minute and gangland the next. In fact, the first thing I noticed after moving to Sac was the abundance of nice, clean, safe residential areas.

2) Materialistic attitudes - Seriously? Sac? Didn't you just post that there is "grafitti over everything" and that gangs are adjacent to any nice areas? That would somewhat defeat the "materialistic" argument, would it not? So is it a ghetto, or is it a pretentious area?

It's laughable to think of the Central Valley as pretentious, unless of course you are from somewhere outside of CA where the standard of living is abnormally low. The word pretentious may apply to some degree to SF or Socal, but Sacramento (and the central valley for that matter) is a working class down, period. The few people with money here are in either Roseville or Granite bay. There is a reason Phil Jackson called this a "Cowtown".

I've only been here two years, and I am no big fan of Sac, but what is funny about what you post is the areas of the city I see as positives are the same ones you claim are negatives. IMO, the positives are:

1) housing: You can buy a nice house here in a nice area of the city at price that is dirt cheap, even before the market collapse. Most of the city is residential and low key, with few problems. Stay out of South Sac and East of Broadway here and you are fine. The overall cost of living here is very low.

2) People: The people here have been so friendly to me. The good looking women here are down to earth, unlike the Bay area, and people overall are very friendly and easy going. It's easy to meet people here. I know most of my neighbors. Literally everytime I take a nature walk by the river, people will smile, or someone will make conversation, etc.

Like I said, I am not the biggest fan of Sac, but anytime I read a post like yours it grates on me. Someone who has left a city because everything there is just SO terrible, and they've found somewhere else that solves every problem. "There is grafitti everywhere, people are pretentious, surrounded by gangs", "my friends left and found utopia in Carolina".

I've lived in some hell holes, but in not one of them could I think of as many things to hate as you posted about Sac. You learn to adapt with to your surrounding area and the negatives, which are in ANY town and different in ANY town.

I am a liberal, and I hate hot weather. But I can honestly say that I could move to Texas, live there for 10 years, and leave without saying, "The heat is unbearable and you are surrounded by redneck bible thumping bubbas". Those type of opinions of a geographic area are not grounded in reality, they are formed by your attitude and overall outlook on life.

[Casportsfan]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

Bingo. As other posts have mentioned, the Sacto. metro area is far from nice when compared to the Bay Area, So Cal and the SD areas. Simply put, it's because it's the Central Valley. It is the only 1+ million pop. metro area in the Central Valley and the only one in Calif. that's affordable to most people.

It is NOT a physically appealing area. Whether crossing over the north end on 80 or crossing through the bottom of town and eastward on 50, it is bleak. It is a big missed opportunity in city planning -- to lay out a nice area at the confluence of two rivers and to lay out a nice capital city scheme. There are nice suburbs to the east of town, in the two adjacent counties of Placer and El Dorado, but they are far away from the jobs and lack personality.

People tout Sacramento's redeeming value in that it's "close to everything" -- the Bay Area or the Sierra Nevada. However, they don't tout anything about Sacramento itself. So, if Sacramento existed in the middle of the Central Valley and was NOT in proximity to anything nice, would people still like it? Doubtful.

Agreed 100%. What I am most disappointed by is the underdevelopment of the Wharf area. What a missed opportunity. It's a travesty that a city of this size does not utilize it's proximity to the river and the demand of the local population for an extension of Old Sac. But of course, the citizens voted down a bond to build a new stadium that had a planned influx of business along the river and development of a boardwalk...that would have been really cool, and given the city more of an identity.

The look of the city is a bit of a bring down to me too, and one of the negatives. Too many broken down buildings, kind of a desert type, dusty feel, to me at least. Although, having the lake and river here is nice.