Relocating to Sacramento for Employment- Where to Live? (San Diego, Bakersfield: renting, how much)

[jupitersgirl333]

Hello,

My husband has been offered a postion in West Sacramento and we are considering the move. Currently we are in Bakersfield, however he is from Seattle and I grew up in San Diego.

We are looking for a nice, safe and clean neighborhood that would be a great place for our daughter to grow up in(she's under a year). I would love to be in a place where the yards are larger and near some hiking and outdoor recreation. My husband is ok with a commute, just not one that is outrageous. I am a massage therapist and would be rebuilding a clientele, so being near holistic minded people would be a plus. Our housing budget would be around $250,000.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you could send my way.

Thanks!

[CityGirl72]

I'm a massage therapist too - Do you have you State Cert from CAMTC? Because where you live you need different amounts of education for a license. Massage is competitive here since it's saturated with Massage Envys.

How much house do you want? sqft? Newer or older - do you care?

at 250K you are going to have alot of competition.

[jupitersgirl333]

I don't have my state cert yet. I do have my national cert and over 1200 hours of training, so getting a city license has never been a problem. I've been a therapist for 7 years now and it is definitely competitive, but when people find a therapist that they are compatible with they tend to be very loyal. I have a very successful business here and wonderful clients, but I am not a fan of Bakersfield.

We would like at least 1500 square feet. It doesn't really matter the age of the house. The one we currently own was built in the 50's. The market down here has changed dramatically. It's easy to find a place below $200,000. I guess that's not the case there.

[CityGirl72]

Houses here have dropped alot too, I think Bakersfield has always been cheaper than Sacramento no matter what year or housing bubble.

I did live in Seattle too (just moved back) and if your husband knows of a comparable area of Seattle he wants to move to (like say Queen Anne etc) then I can tell you the similar places here. It might help you out before understanding where you are.

I actually would suggest renting for a year or so - so that you can figure out where you'd like to live and where you can afford first. Your child is still so young that you have the time before caring about needing schools immediately.

[Jimbo15]

If your budget is 250k and your working in West Sac, your best at that price range is probably Southport in West Sac or maybe N. Natomas. There are some charter schools in Natomas that are ok to good. But at 250k, a lot of your options might not be what you were hoping for.