Move from LA to Sacramento ? - Please Respond (Los Angeles, San Francisco: for sale, real estate)

[kidpsych]

I am in my early 30s (Psychologist) and my husband is turning 40 (Degree in Biology and also certified by ICC as an Underground Tank Inspector). We have two children (3.5 and 2.5). And like a million others, everything has changed now that we have children. I just can't imagine myself in LA for more than 2-3 years.

I want to move somewhere with a slower pace of life (doesn't have to be country, but just not so much rush to do everything in a short time) and less traffic.


1) Is Sacramento like Los Angeles (in terms of traffic, density in housing, pace of life)?

2) Housing Market - Should we buy something small now (300-350K), and rent it out for 1-2 years before we move? Or do you anticipate that prices will continue to drop in the greater Sacramento area and we should wait another year before buying?

3) There are many posts about Granite Bay, Rocklin, Folsom, Davis, Carmichael, and Fair Oaks. How far of a commute are each of these to the city of Sacramento? Do most people who live in the burbs commute into to Sacramento or find work elsewhere?

4) In terms of school district quality, someone please rate these areas in order of school desirability. Granite Bay, Davis, Rocklin, Folsom, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Sacramento.

5) What do families do for recreational activities? Are there any amusement parks in the area?

6) Apart from Kaiser, what is the major Medical HMO Group Panels out there?

7) I am a psychologist with extensive Autism and Pediatric experience. If anyone has any job leads for me or my spouse, please share them.


Thank you to everyone in advance who answers. I am desperate for some help. I've spent days reading posts but still need more clarification.

[Mamag]

Let me give your questions a shot ...

1. Can't really answer because I'm not familiar with LA. However, the pace of life is much slower, the housing is pretty dense especially in new developments however there are plenty of wonderful housing options in older, established neighborhoods with bigger lots and breathing room! Traffic is terrible if you work in Sacramento and live in Elk Grove, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, or Roseville. If you live and work in Sacramento - traffic is not nearly as bad.

2. Unfortunately there's no crystal ball in real estate. Anything can happen. Some experts are saying the market will continue to fall, others are saying that it's rebounding. I do know that a neighbor put their home on the market just this past Friday and they received an offer yesterday. So you just never know.

3. All of those areas will get you approximately a 40 minute commute in to Sacramento (except Davis, which is about 20 minutes). Friday afternoon traffic could add another 20 minutes on to some of those areas. Unfortunately we only have two major freeways here in town, so traffic can be really horrible. There are jobs to be found in the suburbs of Sacramento, however, so that could certainly be an option for someone in your profession.

4. Granite Bay, Davis and Folsom all have excellent reputations for their schools. The others you mention are more hit and miss. Depends upon where you live in each of those areas, for example. Some schools have great reputations, others do not.

5. Recreational activities for families are a-plenty. We have Folsom Lake, the rivers, an amazing bike trail that spans something like 30 miles from Sacramento to Folsom, hiking within a short driving distance, museums, tons of mothers groups, tons of parks with live entertainment and fesitivities in the summer, the list goes on and on. There aren't any large amusement parks in Sacramento proper, but we have water parks, pee-wee golf parks, Fairytale Town for smaller kids, go-cart racing parks, etc.

6. We have Sutter Medical Group, Mercy Medical Group and Alta Bates that I know of.

I hope this helps ...

[Kingsnkali]

I just looked at high school rankings for the state of California. Out of 850 some high schools, Folsom was ranked #52, Davis #59, El Dorado Hills (Oak Ridge) #71, Rocklin #157, Fair Oaks (Bella Vista) #186, Granite Bay #260 and Woodcreek (Roseville) #323.

I was using school digger (for what it's worth). Looks like the rankings are determined by math and verbal scores (9th through 12th grade).

I think you will find much less stress levels here than LA. The pace is slower but not "slow". You can relax in your suburban home. Lots of trees in the more mature suburban or urban areas.

You might find something small/livable in some of those desired communities for around 350k on up. 400k on up would be better though to get in the game. I don't see the market falling much more than it is now, except for certain neighborhoods/communities where all the buyers came in near the top. Of course, if the economy changes then things could get worse. I don't think buying (and then renting it out) would be a good idea. Negative cash flow. Make a few trips and then decide your course of action.

Plenty of recreation around here. Community pools, trips to the zoo, water parks, camping, fishing, boating, hiking, historic sites, skiing etc. Perfect spot to head on day trips to the woods, mountains, ocean, wine country.

[CityGirl72]

I'm in my 30s and have kids too

I moved from So Cal (born in Santa Monica) and moved to Sacramento for college - best decision I ever made.

1) Sacramento is so not like any part of So Cal - it has a small town feel

2) For the price you won't be in a good area

3) Those suburbs are SO MUCH BETTER for children and worth the 30 to 40 minute commute

4) NO Sacramento - No Carmichael (although there are one or two good ones)
Granit Bay And roseville are the best ones

5) Couple of water parks (it gets durn hot!) There's Fairytale town in Land Park, which is wonderful...many zoos, and a good art community downtown

6) Sutter Health

7) I 'll look for you.

[koa]

I pretty much agree with what everyone is saying. I lived in Sacramento for 10 years, moved to Los Angeles and have been here for 2 years, and am now moving back to Sacramento.

Honestly, some things are different, and some things are the same, just like anywhere else =)

Traffic is not nearly as bad as LA, but can get close. Especially on Friday and Sunday afternoons. In my opinion, the lifestyle is much better. Not just pace wise, but Sacramento residents are much more courteous and friendly from what I have noticed.

As far as housing, everyone's pretty much covered it. Parts of Roseville, Rocklin and Granite Bay are very good areas. Especially if you plan to work in Sacramento. However the good areas are higher end housing. At bare minimum 350, most likely 400+. More middle class areas are around 300-350 for a place in a good neighborhood. As far as pricing I can see the more middle class areas dropping a little more in price at least for the remainder of this year and maybe the beginning of the next. Roseville, Rocklin, and Granite Bay areas will most likely not drop. Reason being is that there aren't as many homes for sale in those areas as there are in places like Sacramento 95842 area, Antelope, etc. With that, there isn't as much competition to sell. Also, as I mentioned, they are higher class areas and residents are usually there for a more permanent basis and typically are better situated with finances etc. The more middle class areas are hit or miss, and with the lending industry the way it has gone, many have refinanced and qualified for a liar loan or stated income and many I'm sure have been sucked into an ARM type of loan meaning that they're monthly payments will soon shoot up and they will not be able to qualify to refinance out of it due to Loan To Value ratios and Debt To Income. So for many it's either get another job, lose their house or sell for as much as they can to get out of the situation. This floods the market even more creating more supply, but with the lack of stated income loans and 100% financing, there is not enough buying power and therefore not enough demand.

Sacramento does have things to do, not nearly as many as LA, but you can make it work. 45 min to an hour west is 6 flags Marine World. Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara (Great America) are a little further..2-4 hours depending. San Francisco is 2 hours West, and 2 hours East or so is Reno and Lake Tahoe.

Hope this helps some as well =)

[cw68]

Sacramento has a much slower pace than LA, but it's not quite the Cowtown that everyone in LA thinks it is. Compare it to the rest of the nation instead of LA.

Traffic is much worse that you would think from the region's size. There are plenty of pockets within the City that would be fine. Sacramento is not a vast wasteland though you will pay more money for the same house in the 'burbs.

You and your family can spend lots of time in the great outdoors. Sacramento's location is also stellar; you can get to SF, Tahoe, Napa, Yosemite, etc. very easily.

[jguillot]

6) Apart from Kaiser, what is the major Medical HMO Group Panels out there?


Medical HMOs here include Western Health Advantage, Kaiser, Pacificare, Healthnet. If you are really asking about medical groups, they include the UC Davis Health System, Kaiser, Sutter, Mercy Healthcare. If you want information on the UC Davis Medical Group, send me a PM and I can help.

[Headshrink]

Hey Kidpsych. I am an MFT with a private practice in South Orange County. My wife and I have been researching the greater Sacramento area for around 8 months. We have made multiple trips up to the area looking at cities and homes. The area makes sense to us because housing is much cheaper, my brother lives in West Sac and we have a small place up in North Lake Tahoe. We want to cash in on our equity and get our kids away from snobville ( I literally live in the area where they film the Real Housewives of Orange County).

We have looked at West Sac, Natomas, El Dorado Hills, Folsome, Granite Bay, Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln. We have narrowed our search to the Roseville/Rocklin area based on school districts, housing costs and crime. We really liked EDH and Folsom as well but the were more expensive. Commuting to Sacramento proper will not be an issue for us as I have taken a job with Sutter County Mental Health. I might also just start another practice in the Roseville area. Housing options are great, you could buy new or get something older with more property. The areas that I mentioned above are very “suburban.” I like this but I realize that many people don’t. There are some beautiful areas in the city of Sacramento, but again they are a little pricey.

I saw recently that there was a Psychologist position open at UC Davis…check out their website. CHW does a lot of behavioral health in the area:www.mercyfolsom.org

Also there are many county municipalities in a close area: Sacramento County, Sutter County, El Dorado County, Placer County. They are all hiring. You can also register at this website if you are interested in teaching at the JC level: www.cccregistry.org/jobs

Go to www.greatschools.net to get school rakings. They are the best-known site for school research. Keep in mind that in newer communities their schools may not be ranked yet as they have not accumulated enough data. Of course, these newer schools are generally really great as they are brand new with highly motivated staff and parents.

Good Luck!

[noniel]

Originally Posted by kidpsych

I am in my early 30s (Psychologist) and my husband is turning 40 (Degree in Biology and also certified by ICC as an Underground Tank Inspector). We have two children (3.5 and 2.5). And like a million others, everything has changed now that we have children. I just can't imagine myself in LA for more than 2-3 years.

I want to move somewhere with a slower pace of life (doesn't have to be country, but just not so much rush to do everything in a short time) and less traffic.


1) Is Sacramento like Los Angeles (in terms of traffic, density in housing, pace of life)?

2) Housing Market - Should we buy something small now (300-350K), and rent it out for 1-2 years before we move? Or do you anticipate that prices will continue to drop in the greater Sacramento area and we should wait another year before buying?

3) There are many posts about Granite Bay, Rocklin, Folsom, Davis, Carmichael, and Fair Oaks. How far of a commute are each of these to the city of Sacramento? Do most people who live in the burbs commute into to Sacramento or find work elsewhere?

4) In terms of school district quality, someone please rate these areas in order of school desirability. Granite Bay, Davis, Rocklin, Folsom, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Sacramento.

5) What do families do for recreational activities? Are there any amusement parks in the area?

6) Apart from Kaiser, what is the major Medical HMO Group Panels out there?

7) I am a psychologist with extensive Autism and Pediatric experience. If anyone has any job leads for me or my spouse, please share them.


Thank you to everyone in advance who answers. I am desperate for some help. I've spent days reading posts but still need more clarification.

Hi,
I live about 45 min. from Sac and its getting pretty big now with homes spreading out towards the south towards Galt, lodi, etc. Traffic is congested but not as much as L.A. They are at a simi fast pace but nothing like L.A. There has been a lot of violence hitting that town in the past month which was unbelieveable! But all in all, its a nice town, with lots to do, depending what your interested in. Housing has increased in $ amounts, you get more for your money on the outskirts than actually in Sac. Folsom, Davis, Thousand Oaks, & Granite Bay are good areas. Granite a bit more expensive.
Hope that helps!

[kidpsych]

Head Shrink,

Real Housewives, that is hilarious. I am in a similar area (South Pasadena), very affluent and it was well known for a small-town-family-friendly-feel. Alas, I have not experienced it. With the great schools here in So. Pasadena, we have a big influx of wealthy Asian-Pacific Islanders and other ethnicities. I don't mind the diversity, but I do mind the lack of neighborhood cohesiveness. I am also concerned about my kids, goodness, how will they ever afford anything here. I figure I can sell this home, use my retirement reserves, move to Sac and also purchase residential income property.

Are there any other areas in Central or Northern Ca you have explored?