Moving from Monterey to Sacramento (Orange, Citrus Heights: real estate, apartment, rentals)

[GbaileyCT]

Hi All,
My family and I live in Monterey. We are relocating to Sacramento due to a work promotion. I am looking for advice on a good area to live. We are looking for a safe area with stores and restaurants near by. Planning to rent to for the first year. Our kids are grown so school systems are not a concern. My main concern is crime. We enjoy biking so an area with bike trails would be nice.

[Adriatica]

Where will you be working? What's your budget?

[derekjones]

Your budget is going to be the biggest deciding factor in where you can live.

[GbaileyCT]

Hi All,

Yes my wife and I both work. I'd like to keep my monthly rent between 1600 - 2400 a month. I'm looking for a three to four bedroom home ideally .

Thanks

[Adriatica]

Pocket/Greenhaven (95831). Good access to biking trails (both along the greenbelt and along the river), plenty of shops and restaurants. Of course, if your job is out in one of the suburbs, then that changes things. But if it's in Sac, then this works.

[GbaileyCT]

Thank you for your responses! We'll keep an eye on rentals in Pocket. What about Natomas? We've heard mixed reviews about it. We were also told not to move to South Sacramento. Other areas we are curious about are Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Elk Grove. If you can tell us some pros and cons about those areas, we would really appreciate it.

[sacreole]

I would also second the Pocket/Greenhaven area of Sacramento if your place of employment is in or around downtown. If you're considering Natomas, I would consider searching north of I-80 and west of I-5 (North Natomas). South Natomas can be hit or miss. Again, it would depend on where you would be working to limit the commute.

The northeastern suburbs of Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale are options depending on the neighborhood. You could probably find a decent house or apartment to rent within your budget range in those communities. Citrus Heights in an incorporated city whereas Carmichael, Fair Oaks and Orangevale are unincorporated communities. Orangevale is more rural residential in character. Carmichael and Fair Oaks have some nice wooded neighborhoods located near the American River Parkway.

Elk Grove is located south of Sacramento and is perhaps the fastest growing city in the region. It's fairly suburban in character with newer neighborhoods south of Elk Grove Boulevard.

[GbaileyCT]

Thank you sacreole for giving us a nice overview of the surrounding neighborhoods and towns. We found your post very informative. Do you or anyone else know anything about Antelope?

[JohnS_15]

Check out the Sierra Oaks/Wilhaggin areas along American River Drive going east from Howe Avenue. I really like that area although it might be a little pricey/tough to find rentals.

For similar location but not as upscale you can check out the College-Glen area which is just south of the American river between Howe and Watt Avenue. Here's a thread describing the neighborhood
//www.city-data.com/forum/sacra...n-commute.html

[GbaileyCT]

Thank you, JohnS! We read the thread you have recommended. I guess, our next step is to visit and get the feel for different neighborhoods/towns. We don't have to move until August, but noticed the real estate prices are going up and so are the rental prices.