Traffic commute from Elk Grove to downtown Sacramento (Los Angeles, San Diego: rentals, house)

[mixxalot]

Thinking of buying a place that I liked in Elk Grove but how bad is the morning and evening commute between 6:30am-8am from Elk Grove to downtown Sacramento and how bad is the evening commute between 4-5pm from downtown Sacramento to Elk Grove in the evenings. Homes are newer and larger and more affordable than downtown, midtown, curtis park and east sacramento.

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by mixxalot

Thinking of buying a place that I liked in Elk Grove but how bad is the morning and evening commute between 6:30am-8am from Elk Grove to downtown Sacramento and how bad is the evening commute between 4-5pm from downtown Sacramento to Elk Grove in the evenings. Homes are newer and larger and more affordable than downtown, midtown, curtis park and east sacramento.

The other day I drove from Florin Road north on 99 to downtown at 7:45am, heavy traffic, slowed to a crawl but I was downtown by 8am. When I was done with the downtown appt., drove back down south at 9:30am, I could see the other side going north towards downtown was clear, heavy, but moving at steady fast pace.

[mixxalot]

I am also looking at College Glenn, Larchmont and La Rivera areas that offer light rail options down town and nice homes under 400k.

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by mixxalot

I am also looking at College Glenn, Larchmont and La Rivera areas that offer light rail options down town and nice homes under 400k.

That's your sweet spot!

Halfway between Folsom and Downtown with Rancho employment centers across the way.

All the fun stuff is Downtown or Folsom, not there, but the prices are reflective of that, more house for your money.

Light Rail is getting all brand new cars, new low-floor cars, and new stations to fit with those low-floor cars, finally. I'm not sure on the completion timeline, 1-2 years I think.

I would invest in solar and an electric car. Convert one yard (or two) to very low water usage.

[mixxalot]

@Chimerique yup that is my strategy. Plus large Asian community means good quiet peaceful neighbors as long as gangs don't move in. Lots of tasty Asian places to eat that are healthy and affordable. Looking at homes with my realtor we found a good spot called Ninja Sushi that was good. Elk Grove has Bonchon which is my favorite fried chicken place- basically the Korean version of KFC but with more spice flavor and sides of Asian dishes like kimchi and fried rice. Having lived in Asia for periods of my life as well as the bay area, I like fusion Asian food!

The good news is Sacramento homes are way less than SF, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Not cheap but even on a state worker paycheck, I can spring it.

[Berryessa]

@mixxalot Hidden Asian gem. Top Choice Restaurant https://yelp.to/qTKq/CRgTIpDag1. Scarily authentic. Really delicious. Tangy flavor rarely found in US.

They only have one noodle dish with half a dozen variations. And double that number with soup or dry. $8 including tax.

If Yelp link is cut, its address is 6540 Stockton Blvd near Elder Creek Rd.

[JohnS_15]

Originally Posted by mixxalot

@Chimerique yup that is my strategy. Plus large Asian community means good quiet peaceful neighbors as long as gangs don't move in. Lots of tasty Asian places to eat that are healthy and affordable. Looking at homes with my realtor we found a good spot called Ninja Sushi that was good. Elk Grove has Bonchon which is my favorite fried chicken place- basically the Korean version of KFC but with more spice flavor and sides of Asian dishes like kimchi and fried rice. Having lived in Asia for periods of my life as well as the bay area, I like fusion Asian food!

The good news is Sacramento homes are way less than SF, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Not cheap but even on a state worker paycheck, I can spring it.

I live in 95826 (College Glen, Larchmont, La Riv) -- is it known to be a large Asian community? I've found it to be an interesting mix of blue collar, tradesmen, older retirees, cops and firefighters, teachers, civil servants, with student rentals intermixed. It seems predominantly white with a mix of multiple other races and ethnicities. It's generally pretty quiet but you can get unlucky and have a frat party rental next-door for a couple years - they usually move on though. If you are decent on a bicycle there are few better spots in Sacramento I would say -- hop on the American River trail and you can be in midtown in 30 mins. Central to pretty much anything in the greater Sac area. Light rail is okay although not nearly as useful as it should be.

[sacreole]

The Folsom Boulevard corridor between Watt Avenue and Bradshaw (Rosemont/La Riviera) has a number of Korean-owned restaurants and other businesses. And extending into Rancho Cordova, there's the KP International Market and food court off of Olson Drive and Folsom.

[mixxalot]

True I like the central location of the College Glenn area compared to say Fair Oaks or Orangevale which are too far way for a commute to downtown or elsewhere. I do have an interview in Elk Grove for a better state job so if I get that then I can just buy in Elk Grove and be done with it.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by mixxalot

@Chimerique yup that is my strategy. Plus large Asian community means good quiet peaceful neighbors as long as gangs don't move in. Lots of tasty Asian places to eat that are healthy and affordable. Looking at homes with my realtor we found a good spot called Ninja Sushi that was good. Elk Grove has Bonchon which is my favorite fried chicken place- basically the Korean version of KFC but with more spice flavor and sides of Asian dishes like kimchi and fried rice. Having lived in Asia for periods of my life as well as the bay area, I like fusion Asian food!

The good news is Sacramento homes are way less than SF, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Not cheap but even on a state worker paycheck, I can spring it.

There's a Bonchon in North Natomas too One of the best (and cheapest) Asian Grocers is Koreana in Rancho Cordova. I don't like Ninja Sushi much but an interesting fusion place is Boiling Avenue on Howe Ave (they have a great happy hour too)

Good luck with your house hunting adventure!