Living in Midtown but working in Mather: realistic? (Sacramento, Richmond: apartment complex, renting)

[PGHgirl2013]

Hello everyone,

I'm a 20-something professional who has accepted a position at the VA in Mather but is looking to live in Midtown. From Google Maps, it doesn't seem like this would be a bad commute; however, I was hoping a local could give some insight about this.

Also, does Sacramento have any professional relocation services that help with finding an apartment? It's a bit of a challenge doing this from the other side of the country .

If it would be helpful, my "specs" are as follows:

-safety is a priority
-renting, <$1300 (including all utilities)
-walkability to food, bars, coffee shops
-secured parking
-character or balcony is a plus, but I'm willing to sacrifice that for the other items on my list

Thanks in advance!

[wburg]

If you live within a few blocks of R Street in the neighborhoods of Winn Park, Poverty Ridge, Newton Booth or Richmond Grove, you're a short walk from the Light Rail line that runs to Mather, and I think there is a shuttle that runs from the Mather light rail station to VA Mather itself. It's a doable commute, reverse from regular commute direction. All of those neighborhoods are worth a look. Secured parking is a bit difficult to find, the housing stock is mostly older houses and small apartment buildings (1-3 stories) that don't have garages. Your budget is reasonable too. One place on the higher end is a newer apartment complex called Alexan Midtown, actually just outside Midtown but close enough for strolling or cycling around. Secured parking structure, taller (5 stories) and close to some worthwhile stuff (although a bit farther from a lot of the restaurant/club scene.)

[misc916]

Hello,

Yes living in Midtown and working at Mather is absolutely realistic. With no traffic it's only about a 15 minute drive east on Hwy 50 so it's really not that far away. Even during rush hour traffic Mather is still close enough that's it's a non-issue. There are many people who live in the Midtown area that work along the Hwy 50 corridor from Mather to Rancho Cordova.
Midtown would be a great spot to live if you want to be within walking distance of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. I'm not sure about your other questions. Good luck!

[caligirlz]

I used to do a similar commute. That's a super easy reverse commute at least going east. When you are heading back into midtown, you will want to be on the road by 445 pm. Traffic does bottle up a lot right at Bradshaw heading west, but you should still be able to make it back into midtown in 20-30 minutes max, minus accidents (it used to take me 15-20 min to get to 65th from Bradshaw at that time).

[xeney]

My husband does this same commute, more or less (his work is a little further out). He has found light rail to be too time-consuming for regular use, but it is there if you need it, and the drive is not bad at all.

[justducky2]

Easy commute, but be aware that the Mather light rail station (if you were to commute by light rail) is sketchy. You wouldn't want to be waiting there in the evening, for instance.