move to sac or bay area. (San Francisco, Sacramento: best cities, apartment, for rent)

[ProudMomX2]

Hello!! I am trying to decide if I should move to Sacramento or the bay area. I thought about Rocklin (because someone told me it is a great area) but not sure. I am going to Grad school in either sac or san fran and want to be sure that my interracial family will be safe. Also, when I think about California I think about a sunny fast-paced environment. This is important but not a deal breaker. A low crime inclusive atmosphere is high on my list. I would like to stay around 2500 for rent and don’t really care about the time it takes to commute. If anyone has suggestions please let me know!! Thank you!

[borninsac]

Sounds like you're all over the place on this one. For some, comparing San Francisco to Sacramento is like comparing a tofu burger to a steak burger. Honestly think you'll do better by pinning down the school because the housing decision will be easier to make. With regard to being safe, you'll be as safe as you can afford to be in Sacramento. Of course, exercising the normal precautions is necessary.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by ProudMomX2

Hello!! I am trying to decide if I should move to Sacramento or the bay area. I thought about Rocklin (because someone told me it is a great area) but not sure. I am going to Grad school in either sac or san fran and want to be sure that my interracial family will be safe. Also, when I think about California I think about a sunny fast-paced environment. This is important but not a deal breaker. A low crime inclusive atmosphere is high on my list. I would like to stay around 2500 for rent and don’t really care about the time it takes to commute. If anyone has suggestions please let me know!! Thank you!

I think you might to better if you continue in the thread you started in January:

//www.city-data.com/forum/sacra...l#post46980574

[westsaeed]

Move to the Bay

[ProudMomX2]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

I think you might to better if you continue in the thread you started in January:

//www.city-data.com/forum/sacra...l#post46980574

Do you advice besides telling me to look in that thread 2sleepy? Which by the way, you never commented in that thread so do you have anything to offer?

[JohnS_15]

Are you choosing between SF State and Sac State Universities?


I live right by Sac State now and I used to live right by SF State in the Sunset district in SF. Both schools have diverse student populations and the areas around the schools are fine as far as safety goes. However both areas also have a lot of petty crime issues such as car break-ins and theft. You are not going to find neighborhoods in either place where you can leave your doors unlocked or a purse on your car seat and not have to worry.


There are a ton of mixed raced couples with mixed race kids in Sacramento. I wouldn't imagine you would feel uncomfortable as far as that aspect goes just about anywhere in Sacramento or San Francisco. The further out suburbs of Roseville or Rocklin are less diverse than the areas closer to Sacramento but still don't think it would be an issue out there.


San Francisco is A LOT more expensive and competitive for housing than Sacramento. $2500 will get you vastly different accommodations in one place versus the other. San Francisco life will be much more fast paced than Sacramento. The weather in San Francisco is a lot cooler than Sacramento in the summer - there are a lot more temperature extremes in Sacramento (colder in the winter and hotter in the summer).


The coastal areas are a lot easier to explore from San Francisco - the mountains are a lot more accessible to Sacramento.


If it's a temporary move for a couple of years and you have the money I'd recommend living in San Francisco. It's one of the best cities in the world. If you are looking for a more traditional middle class life, a little easier and a little slower with the family in tow I"d choose Sacramento.


Good luck.

[steiconi]

If you want sunny, don't move to San Francisco or the near East Bay (Richmond-Berkeley-Oakland); they're foggy in the summer. The far East Bay--like the Concord area--and Sacramento get the sunny summers.

I was kind of depressed the first summer I moved to SF from Sacto; it wasn't until I visited Walnut Creek that I realized I was missing the sun.

[RosieSD]

Which of the two schools you are considering for graduate school has the best program, faculty and job placement in your field?

That should be your number one factor to consider if the move is primarily for grad school.

After you've figured that out, take a close look at the financial awards (if any) you've received from each school.

If you will have to take out loans to pay for graduate school (which may or may not be the case), you will need to also weigh the return on investment of taking out more loans for a better program (or vice versa). Or, taking out more loans to live in a better area.

Once you've weighed those factors, take a look at the cost of living in both areas. You will have a better chance of snagging a place to live in a safe, family friendly area if your budget is above the MEDIAN rent in the area. If your budget is below the Median, then you will probably need to make more compromises (i.e., a longer commute to school, smaller place, less desirable neighborhood).

But, making those compromises *might* be worthwhile if the program is substantially better, and has a potentially greater payoff in your ability to find a job with your degree.

Do try to visit both areas before making your choice, preferrably with your husband and your kids so you can all see where you feel most comfortable.

In the end only you and your family can decide which program -- and location -- is going to work best for your career goals, educational interests, and family needs.

Good luck with your decision.

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by steiconi

If you want sunny, don't move to San Francisco or the near East Bay (Richmond-Berkeley-Oakland); they're foggy in the summer. The far East Bay--like the Concord area--and Sacramento get the sunny summers.

I was kind of depressed the first summer I moved to SF from Sacto; it wasn't until I visited Walnut Creek that I realized I was missing the sun.

I grew up in Walnut Creek and was so excited when I was going to start college in Berkley, as I was looking forward to the fog and cold. My euphoria lasted about 4 days. If you are not used to that, the lack of sun can get to you. For that reason alone, I would choose Sacramento as well.:-)

[joejerryronnie]

Median rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in San Francisco is $4,500. In your position, I would choose Sac. After you graduate (depending on your field of expertise), you can look for opportunities in SF if you're still interested.