Hello! Sacramento! (Orange, Alhambra, Rancho Cordova: best neighborhoods, apartment complexes, to rent)

[parakeets]

Well, its official, I am moving to Sacramento.

I am a Cali native but have never lived northern.

We were there for several days last month and even went to the newly built Raley's Stadium to take in a ball game

I am looking to rent a single story house, ranch or ca bugelow, the 40s or 50s, the better!. I also need to look into schools, I am thinking Catholic.
I have one going into 11th grade and one entering 7th in the fall.

Quiet neighborhood with people like me, mid -40s, friendly, outgoing, loves to meet new people of all kinds and share in lifes bounty.
I work in advocacy so i'm set with work. I have been told the best neighborhoods are north sac, folsom, rancho cordova.... I am really trying to avoid neighborhoods with babies/toddlers/young ones. We are quite focused on the more mature crowd.

My kids are very athletic (but I expect my 16 yo son to work this summer ) swimming, running, biking, basketball. my dd rides horses as do I when time allows. I am fluent in spanish/italian in addition to english.

Any imput?

[parakeets]

[wburg]

If you're planning on private school anyhow, and like California bungalows and postwar ranch houses, I'd recommend looking at East Sacramento or Land Park. East Sacramento has the remains of Sacramento's Italian American community, based around St. Mary's Church and East Portal Park (the old guys still play bocce there.)

If you definitely want a neighborhood with fewer kids, the eastern half of Midtown (Boulevard Park, New Era Park, Winn Park, Newton Booth, Poverty Ridge) is nice although the housing stock is older (the California bungalows and little revival cottages built in the 1920s-30s are the newest housing stock, other than "dingbat" apartment complexes.) Both neighborhoods are close to public parks and pools and the American River bike trail, although I'm not sure how much horse riding is close by.

[parakeets]

Originally Posted by wburg

If you're planning on private school anyhow, and like California bungalows and postwar ranch houses, I'd recommend looking at East Sacramento or Land Park. East Sacramento has the remains of Sacramento's Italian American community, based around St. Mary's Church and East Portal Park (the old guys still play bocce there.)

If you definitely want a neighborhood with fewer kids, the eastern half of Midtown (Boulevard Park, New Era Park, Winn Park, Newton Booth, Poverty Ridge) is nice although the housing stock is older (the California bungalows and little revival cottages built in the 1920s-30s are the newest housing stock, other than "dingbat" apartment complexes.) Both neighborhoods are close to public parks and pools and the American River bike trail, although I'm not sure how much horse riding is close by.

Thank you wburg,

I'm not looking to fulfill every last detail lol that, would be impossible.
my ds who lives/works in Sacramento although, still a newcomer himself, told me East, North, were his reco's.

[wburg]

Folsom and Rancho Cordova are separate cities, within Sacramento County, not neighborhoods of the city of Sacramento. Folsom has a little historic core of late 19th century buildings and a small "old town" and a bunch of recent just-add-drywall suburbs. It is generally an affluent suburb and very expensive. Rancho Cordova was built around the former Mather air force base and Aerojet rocket facility, built out in the 1950s-1980s and recently incorporated. It used to have a bad reputation (the unofficial nickname was "Rancho Cambodia") but other than being kind of boringly suburban and having a lot of strip malls I can't fault it too much.

North Sacramento used to be an independent city but is now part of the city of Sacramento. It is considered a fairly dangerous area, other than the Hagginwood residential neighborhood along its southern edge. Probably not what you're looking for.

North of North Sacramento is North Natomas, which is a brand-new neighborhood. 10 years ago it was all floodplain, so you won't find any 1950s ranch houses or 1920s bungalows there.

[AADAD]

Do some checking since schools are your priority. East of Alhambra towards Sac State University is a very nice area. Sac is pricey. Don't exclude a little East - Orangevale and Carmichael may be more attractive. A little downscale but cheaper and many many schools. Crime is higher anywhere in Sac proper than the burbs. Do some checking.

[CityGirl72]

Did you mention your budget? Are you rening or buying? That's also going influence where you send your kids.

and look at this website to see just how your neighborhood school (public and private) add up.
GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community

[ElectroPlumber]

I would search this forum. Run "Folsom" "Rancho Cordova" "Fair Oaks", "Mid-Town" and "private schools". Your question has been covered many, many times before.

[parakeets]

Thank you for the helpful replies.

I am most certain my kids will be attending Catholic schools especially since my high schooler has already begun his application to Air Force Academy and will benefit from collage prep course's.

I will be renting for now.

[rbt59]

I lived in rancho cordova 10 yrs ago and found it to be nice.