Best Sac Area for my mom? (San Francisco, Sacramento: new home, good schools, living in)

[yoz]

Hi,

I'm posting on behalf of my mom who's moving from the east coast (NJ-NYC area) pretty soon. She's thinking of moving to somewhere in the Sac metro area.

She would ideally like to find somewhere that fits the following:
1) Left-leaning, liberal, and/or diverse
2) Cultured, artsy and involved with that kinda thing
3) Not crazy expensive for new or slightly lived in homes. Median price for new homes less than $450k.
4) Easy commute time to areas with corporate-type jobs in the region (30-40 minutes max)
5) Shopping available, so she won't have to drive an hour to get bread and cheese and stuff.
6) She is moving with my brother, he has Asperger's syndrome / learning disabled. Somewhere that can cater to this, where programs are available.
7) Not a lot of crime, people nice, safe to go out at night (!)
8) Hills and trees = good. Flat = bad.

I realize that this REALLY narrows it down. I was thinking Folsom or Davis, but Davis is $$$$ and Folsom is conservative. Isn't there somewhere that's in-between these that strikes a happy medium?

She is living in NJ right now, and it actually seems as if she has almost ALL of the above, except for #3.

She doesn't care about:
1) Good schools. Her kids are all grown up
2) Family-type environments. She is looking to meet people of her age for friendships and who share her interests.

Basically I'm looking to find out what areas have the MOST of the attributes I outlined above. Any insight is helpful! Also if you know any other regions of California that have these, she'd be open to looking outside of Sacramento. The most important thing is the home prices, she can't afford San Francisco.

Thanks!

[CityGirl72]

My son has Aspergers Syndrome and we are liberal. yet it looks like we are going to move to Folsom (can't afford Davis) - but we are looking at schools.

My son is light years ahead of all the other students - it's his social needs that aren't being met by his current school.

[justducky2]

Although it's flat, I would say Davis might suit your mom's lifestyle. Oh, and there is the MIND Institute in Davis! UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute Although the town is flat, it does have a lot of trees Don't know what the housing prices are like, but our housing bubble burst big time, so prices have likely come down.

I'd count out El Dorado County; and from what I've heard, Placer County as well. El Dorado County is a hotbed of conservative Republicans.

Here is a list of the Regional Centers, maybe they can give insight on available services in the area: Alta California Regional Center (http://www.dds.cahwnet.gov/rc/rc364.cfm - broken link)

Best wishes!