Deciding between Auburn, Folsom, Placerville - help! (Sacramento, Rancho Cucamonga: motel, to buy)

[socal nocal]

We're coming from Palm Springs where it's too hot and crowded.

Never spent any time in Sacramento area, but have done lots of reading on this forum. (considered Chico but too full of partying college kids....Redding area- just too big and country).

We're looking at a smaller town (10k - 30K) that has some charm and where it's possible to buy some land without gowing broke!

We don't want to be too far out in the "boonies," that's why I also included Folsom just in case.

So.....does Folsom have any of that small town charm, or is it another suburbia? What do you think about Auburn and Placerville?

We're semi-retired with no children and can work off the computer.

Thanks for your help!

[CaAppraiser]

"We're looking at a smaller town (10k - 30K) that has some charm and where it's possible to buy some land without gowing broke!"

Hello!
Your least expensive option between the 3 towns for land and charm is Placerville. The outlying areas with acreage are considered somewhat rural, but there is easy access via roads leading to Highway 50. There are some nice views, and the majority of the topography is sloping. Placerville is known for its gold mining history and is approximately 30 minutes drive to the Sacramento area. There are many pine trees and it is about an hour from South Lake Tahoe. I think either Placerville or Auburn would be your best bet for semi-retirement. Hope this helps~

[socal nocal]

Thanks so much for your response. We're planning on heading that way to check it out for at least 3 nights. We hope that will be enough to get a feel for the areas.

We saw that the Mother Lode Motel in Placerville got very good feedback, but googled the map from Auburn to Placerville and saw that it was almost an hour drive!

I'll be sure to post what the three towns "felt like" as I noticed that there's a lot of interest.

If there's anyone out there that can give more insight or recommendations, please let us know...... much appreciated!!!!!

Sounds like Folsom may be too much suburbia? Please feel to correct me and guide me in the right direction!!!!!!!

[Jimbo15]

You might want to look at Grass Valley and Nevada City as well. If you were driving from Auburn to Marysville, you could take highway 49 to highway 20. The route wouldn't be too far out of your way, but the drive would be much more scenic. You might also want to look at Sutterville and Jackson, which are also off highway 49, but closer to Placerville.

All of these are old gold rush mining towns. They have a lot of charm. They aren't too far from Sacramento, but tend to be above the tule fog in the winter but are generally below the snow line. If you could work from home, I think these would be great choices.

The older part of Folsom got its start in the gold rush. It has a certain amount of charm, but overall, the region has became an upscale bedroom community. Its nice, but it doesn't sound like what you are looking for.

[tstieber]

We just drove down Hwy 50 through Placerville and Folsom, and Auburn a few days before, and I'd agree that Placerville is the cutest. Semi-mountainous, charming, old West sort of feel, with leafy trees. Folsom just seemed like sprawling suburbia, hot, and reminiscent of places like Rancho Cucamonga. If you like spending your time at Lowe's and Islands, then Folsom is for you. If you want quaint, then stick to Placerville. (When you need Lowe's, it's just a short drive to Folsom!)

[socal nocal]

Thanks for the info re: Folsom, we've marked it off the list. Still not getting enough info about Auburn, though. It looks good in pics, but you know how that is.

Placerville is looking better and better.

I think the recommendation for Jackson and Sutterville may be too far away from everything, but we'll do more research.

Thanks again.

[volleyballer]

Both places are great in my view. Both are basically below the snow line. Auburn is off of I80 and you can get to many places on that interstate. Placerville is of Hwy 50 and you can get to Sac or Tahoe on that highway. But it does not take 30 minutes to get to Sacramento from Placerville. More like 45-60 minutes. In my opinion Hwy 50 is not a pleasurable highway. It is congested often with downtown traffic and all of the college around. I'd prefer I80 (It's no walk in the park either).

Both are old towns with wonderful charm and natural beauty. Placerville is less expensive and seems a little smaller and older. Auburn seems a little nicer. This is just my opinion from driving through the towns several times. I'd choose Auburn, but you have to spend more there also.

[rhorses]

Well Folsom is not a small town any longer. It has grown quite considerably. It has Intel which employs about 6,000 people or maybe it is only 2,000 now. I was one of those that had their job go to Costa Rica. I live in Placerville, I liked it. As far as Auburn goes I never lived there, but I have visited many times, I don't like the small streets, the freeway is narrow, hard to get on and off. It is closer to Reno, it gets pretty cold in the winter, lots of snow, (you remember the donner party).

I am a California refugee, I moved to Missouri 3 years ago in September. I actually have a few dollars left over every month now and I don't even make a 1/4 of what I did in California. Anyway back to you, Redding is hotter than h---. I mean when I left there at 7:30 in the morning and it was 107 degrees I knew why I left. I lived there several years ago in my youth. Lots of druggies.

[socal nocal]

So too hot in Redding and too cold in Auburn - got it!

[mattinsac]

Originally Posted by rhorses

Well Folsom is not a small town any longer. It has grown quite considerably. It has Intel which employs about 6,000 people or maybe it is only 2,000 now. I was one of those that had their job go to Costa Rica. I live in Placerville, I liked it. As far as Auburn goes I never lived there, but I have visited many times, I don't like the small streets, the freeway is narrow, hard to get on and off. It is closer to Reno, it gets pretty cold in the winter, lots of snow, (you remember the donner party).

I am a California refugee, I moved to Missouri 3 years ago in September. I actually have a few dollars left over every month now and I don't even make a 1/4 of what I did in California. Anyway back to you, Redding is hotter than h---. I mean when I left there at 7:30 in the morning and it was 107 degrees I knew why I left. I lived there several years ago in my youth. Lots of druggies.

It sounds like you are confusing Auburn with Truckee.

Placerville is about 2500 ft, Auburn is about 1200 ft and Truckee which does get a fair amount of snow is about 5800 ft.