Folsom- Sacramento Ca Area

[Boondocker]

Ok, this is pretty far off topic. I am considering applying for a job in the Sacramento area. Never been there, dont know beans about the place. Anyone know much about the area, cost of living, things to do, what not. How far to good camping and so forth. Thanks

[coastal me]

I don't like the fog.
Otherwise, lots of close camping. The Sierra Nevada, the Coastal range, the ocean, the valley. I really like driving the back farm roads North up to Colusa.

Anita

[toddster]

Very nice area. I just looked at an Airstream up that way a few months back. Can be a bit hot during the summer, but it is a California heat (no significant humidity). I have heard that traffic around the Sacramento/Folsom area can be bad (but then what area doesn't have bad traffic). I love Northern California, and I'm sure if you move out this way you will too.

Attractions within a few hours:
Lake Tahoe
Yosemite
Napa Valley
SF Bay Area
Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz
etc....

[S C Streamer]

Originally Posted by toddster

Attractions within a few hours:
Lake Tahoe
Yosemite
Napa Valley
SF Bay Area
Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz
etc....

To add a few more:
Mt. Shasta/Trinity Alps
Lassen National Forest
Feather River Canyon/Plumas National Forest
Sacramento River and Delta
The Gold Country


Mark

[codybear]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Ok, this is pretty far off topic. I am considering applying for a job in the Sacramento area. Never been there, dont know beans about the place. Anyone know much about the area, cost of living, things to do, what not. How far to good camping and so forth. Thanks

Hi Rodney,

I live here in Sacramento..if you're serious about moving to Sacramento, here's some thoughts for you:

You'll experience dense fog in the winter, hot, hot dry summers w/temps in 100's, but cool Delta Breezes in the evenings

Lots of freeway commuters during the work week from about 7 -10 am, then between 3:00-7:00 p.m

Homes median price range: about $400, 000 (prices have been dropping the last year, so it is a buyer's mkt.)

Lots of farm fresh fruits and vegetable markets.

A lot of culture here: California State Railroad Museum, Sutter's Fort, the Capital, Gold Rush Events.

A good pass through point between the Sierras: South Lake Tahoe and Reno, Nevada for skiing and casinos; and the Bay Area: San Francisco, Oakland

Lots of Private and Public campgrounds for your Airstream, or for tent camping

How's that for a start?

[FreshAir]

Hello; We love this area. We live up past Placerville which is 40 or so miles east of Sac....above the winter fog and summer heat. We are slightly below the snowline in winter. Of course that means we are less than an hour from Lake Tahoe. What a great area to explore, the mountains, the foothills and gold discovery area and not all that far from the coast and San Francisco. There are many nice homes around Sacramento but just a few minutes drive and you are above the winter fog which has not been much the last few years. I just retired from working in Sacramento. I drove down and back from our home to downtown Sacramento for 20 years. We never regreted chosing our home in the hills. Actually I should not encourage you to move here. We want to keep this place to ourselves. By the way I grew up in Michigan. You will never go back to Ill.
Neil.

[CaddyGrn]

Hello,

I am a lifetime Californian... grew up not too far from Sacramento. I think the list that Cody Bear gave you is a good one. I would emphasize the FOG, HEAT, AND TRAFFIC, however. I would also throw in congestion! Sacramento is getting pretty big with the sprawl thing. Gas prices in California are probably higher than many states. So if you commute that might be an issue. Cost of living is typical California. I would check out demographic info websites on Sacramento and it may also provide information for you.

It is close to awesome camping (close in California may not be close in Illinois...) But I can tell you my daughter went to school in DeKalb and couldn't wait to leave the winter weather there....

My thought: you spend your life at work before retirement and it often dictates where you live, what you do, and who your friends are. So, if the job is a position that has promise for a bright future ~ then give it serious thought. Only you can make that determination.

Sacramento is central in California to just about everything. Two + hours to Tahoe, same to San Francisco, LA a ways further, as is Oregon. We have some cool stuff here in California.

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

[scottanlily]

Hello everone ,I can say one of the nicest places in sacramento is the
old town district .I really liked that when I visited last year on a vacation .Im from southern california ,Santa barbara.If you live in CA and have never visited the state capitol ,the building itself ,its pretty dramatic and majestic.
We visited inside the capitol ,went to the chambers and areas we were
allowed to go to .Really a good idea to do this as I felt more in touch with
the state and government by going there .not a dissapointment .
The railroad museum and a local car museum are both worth the visit if you
are interested in those things .The traffic on the freeway is a problem unless
your coming thru sacramento on a sunday from Tahoe at 10:30 at night ,
it was a breeze cruising thru the city freeways then. I have always felt
that where you live also has alot to do with the people in your lives ,so
that should be part of any moving decision I think.

Scott of scottanlily

[MarkR]

Folsom is an OLD town with lots of NEW growth. Originally laid out by Theodore Judah in the mid 1800's during Gold Rush era. We've lived here over 10 years now and in that short time I think the town has doubled in size, I think it's something near 60,000 and is nearly "built-out" (thank goodness).

We live in the "Historic District" of Folsom (and prefer it to the Newer areas). Of course we have Folsom Prison of Johnny Cash fame (oddly enough, I would guess that half the people here couldn't tell you where the prison is). Intel is the biggest employer. Good Public Schools, New and growing Jr College. We border Folsom Lake (man made, recreational) although other towns (El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay) take better advantage of it (visually, we're sort of "down river" of the lake. The lake was created by a Hydro Electric Dam on the American River. The River goes thru/adjacent to the Historic District. And technically it's not "the river" because there is a lower Dam (Nimbus Dam) below us so it's more a Lake (it looks like a river - long and narrow). There are lots of Bike Trails, speaking of Bikes - I think you have to own at least one Harley to be a Folsom residence . . . there are a lot, maybe it's just my neighborhood . . .

I think (and I'm just going with my gut - I'm not a realtor or mortgage person) that prices are going to continue to drop for a while before they level off. There was some kind of "feeding frenzy" going on for a couple of years and prices went crazy. Now houses are not "moving" so fast, if at all - seems that way to me anyway.

Others are right, there is a lot of traffic/congestion but if you live and work here (which I do) then it's not so much an issue. It does get hot for a month +/- a week, and you find yourself praying to the Delta Breeze god which didn't work for about two weeks - he's back now (maybe it's a she?) and we're fine. We (sacramento area) are sort of between a lot of interesting/beautiful places. Two hours in any direction (without traffic) and you're "somewhere" (see other posts).

If you want to live in a more "rural" setting there's El Dorado County just to the North-East of us - lots of choices there: Cameron Park, Rescue, Shingle Springs, Placerville . . . all have that option.

I'd be glad to show you around if you come out to look. Good Luck.
MarkR

[Boondocker]

I never dreamed I would see all of these responses, THANKS! The transition from graduate student to professor is a strange one let me tell you, and one of the more awkward parts is trying to decide if living in a town you have never seen is appealing or not. No doubt I will be asking about other cities as time goes by.

Folsom sounds like a nice albeit expensive place to live other than the traffic. Well, we will see how things develop…..

[kramynot2000]

and I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said: hot, fog, getting more and more congested, etc. But, there are a lot of really great points as well.

As others have mentioned, we're very close to a lot of nice camping. You can get to the Sierra Nevada's in no time. Lake Tahoe is only 1.5 hours away for a nice weekend getaway. The coast (Bodega Bay area) similarly is very close. Monterey (to go SCUBA diving) is only three hours south. And you can head north to the Redding area pretty easily. This summer we've spent weekends camping at Lake Tahoe, Monterey (3x), San Simeon, Lake Mendicino, Bodega Bay and on Labor Day weekend we'll be heading up to June Lake.

Tony

[codybear]

A couple of other thoughts:

If you like the Outdoors, these are some activities:

Go biking along some great trails
Water ski and boating,
Fishing for Stripers, Black Bass, Trout in areas such as Folsom Lake, Sacramento and American River, Down the Delta
Hunting for ducks, pidgeons, quail and pheasants
Hiking and walking along trails
Take in live concerts and Broadway Plays
A great place for taking photos, especially during dusk and dawn and of the views of the valley and countryside in and outside Sacramento

[Condoluminum]

Gen.. Just wanted to clarify winter fog story for non-natives... Fog in CA Central Valley appears in winter as ground fog over wet lands and hugs grond. Is often less than 800' thick.. Sacramento and western suburbs are near sea level elevation, and get fog in winter, often closing airport, delaying skiers from San Francisco driving to Lake Tahoe, etc... Living nearer to Folsom or anywhere east of downtown in foothills above elevation of approx 1300' above sea level will put you above fog... You will enjoy summer (dry) heat with temps near 95 to 100 degrees even at slightly higher elevations. Floor of Lake Tahoe basin is 6000' above sea level, and mid summer temps there are in high 70's and low 80's...

UC Davis is on west side (sea level and foggy..), Sac State is downtown with same climate...

John McG

[codybear]

Here's a view as the sun rises over the Sacramento Valley heading toward the Sierras yesterday and early morning fishing for trout at Caples Lake.

[2airishuman]

hi rodney

the places rated almanac

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/002...lance&n=283155

and other guides of this type
have good unbiased info
on most of the regions/cities
you will be considering.
sacramento too...

i'm sure your local library
has copies of this book
and others like it.
the info on economy, the weather
crime, recreation, higher ed, health care, cost of living and so on
is invaluable when shopping for a region.

i used these resources heavily
they were a great help
when looking at 'the big move'

usually followed with a 3-4 day trip
to visit weekdays AND weekends...
a borrowed bicycle is THE best way
to get a real feel for any region...

most folks think of quakes in california and traffic...
oh and the high tax rate. the worlds 9th largest economy?

and heat, fog, heat and congestion in the sac valley
I think of new orleans....
sacramento is surrounded by levees, rivers, water and such...
http://www.safca.org/assessments/index.html
and has many of the same issues as the big easy
some may not agree...
and clearly the cajun food isn't as good...
but this has become a big issue for sac valley living...
so look to the hillsides and above water levels and levees

have fun looking and visits are a must!

cheers
2air'