What is it like to live in Sacremento Ca? How are rental prices and the general cost of living? How is the job market? Are there things for a 20 something to do?

This ain't livin'!

I've been in the NorCal/Sacto area since '62 and would probably never leave..unless someone wants to donate a home on Kauai so I can continue my research!

Housing prices are still a bit cheaper than the bay area but are still going up.
Job market here always seems to be good with low unemployment rates since we've gotten by the Air Force bases closing.

Since I'm getting older than dirt, just what do 20-somethings "do".
Seems like the downtown music/club scenes are picking up.
Good restaurants opening up right and left it seems.
A lot of outdoor activities. American River for swimming, rafting kyacking, and the Amer Riv Bike path from Folwom Lake to Old Town Sacto.
Close to Sierras/Tahoe/SF/Shasta/The Delta/Wine Country and "The Other Wine Country".

Good airport.

BTW, it gets a bit hot here at times...like yesterday and today!!!
But the cool Delta Breezes usually rescue us in the evenings.

Could be worse. Could be Redding! >-

I'd start with Sacramento's Convention and Visitor's Bureau:

www.sacramentocvb.org

There are several Sacramento locals on the board, so they can give you plenty of info as well. Good luck!

I am asking because, i have job interview comming up for a job in that area, (i am living in pa)It would be a MAJOR relocation for myself and my loving boyfriend who is willing to uproot himself so that i can take this job if its offered to me. He is in college currently, but will graduate with an IT degree, but i know the cali computer industry has taken a hit recently.

There are a number of nice communities in the Sacramento region; much would depend on where your job might be located, as the commute traffic can be fierce in some areas, particularly to the north. The cost of living isn't bad for northern California, but I can't compare it with where you now; so that doesn't mean much.

What kind of things do you enjoy?

well currently i live at home and pay no rent, so paying anything would be a major change BUt i could rent a 1 bed room for around 400-500 per month with water sewer and trash included. How are the taxes, and crime in that area? can you reccommend any safe neighborhoods? Also From what i understand about the job i would be in the sacramento area for 1 year for training then get transfered to the LA area.

For current rental prices, check out the Sacramento Bee - that is the local newspaper and I am sure they have classifieds online. $400-500/month for a 1 bedroom sounds too low though. I would guess a decent place would go for at least $600/month.

For neighborhoods, there aren't any really bad neighborhoods, but as a general rule I would steer clear of west Sac and south Sac. Downtown is pretty interesting - lots of old apartment houses and large homes that have been turned into apartments.

Crime isn't bad in Sac. It's a relatively small city, so you don't have a real urban feel like in the cities in the east. And you can quickly be out in the countryside or the mountains as others have mentioned.

As for taxes, I don't know how they compare to where you are now. Sales tax is 7 or 8%, I don't remember exactly what it is. California has income tax, and if you buy a home you have property tax. I guess that's all pretty standard.

For night life, there are some interesting places downtown, several breweries around, plenty of restaurants. For other things to do, Arco Arena is close by, the delta is right there and the rivers so there are plenty of water sports. The Sierras are a 60-90 minute drive. SF is about the same.

illusion321,

You are moving from Pa. to Sacramento for one year. Then you will be moving to LA????????????

Have you ever been to California? We are talking MAJOR culture shock here.

Sacramento, my former town, is now the 7th smoggiest city in the US. LA has regained it's #1 rating. Just a thought.

Curious

Sacramento is ok, but LA???? You had better do a couple of trips to check out the areas to make sure this is what you want to do.

I am in the same 20 something range you're in and recently moved from Sacramento to LA. I actually prefer LA to Sacramento.

I would say that there's not a whole lot going on in Sacramento. It's a typical mid-sized city. There are good malls, a wide range of stores, all the chain restaurants, and a few good independent ones, and a variety of outdoor activities. I never really did the "club scene" in Sacramento, probably because it wasn't that exciting. I lived in Eastern Sacramento, almost into Rancho Cordova. I paid just over $1,000 for a 2 bedroom apartment. I think you could get a decent 1 bedroom apartment for around $800 or so. I good place to look if you want to be around younger people (rather than families) is around Sacramento State University. I like the downtown and midtown areas as well. But there's a higher homeless population downtown. There are also some gated apartment complexes if you're worried about crime. (I wouldn't be worried if you're on the 2nd floor or higher.)

Gas is also much more expensive out here. I'm not sure what it is in Sac right now, but it's still $2.20 or higher down here in LA.

I am kinda worreid about the culture shock, but on the other hand i think it would be an outstanding opertunity for me to "make it on my own" with no family or friends. My boyfriend would be moving out around the time i would move to LA, And the job opportunity is amazing, and maybe i am getting alittle ahead of myself because i did not have the interview yet, but its a major move and i will have a lot ot think about.

You are young and a little culture shock will be good for you. To quote my father, when opportunity knocks, you should grab it by the horns. He also told me the horse is on the other foot, so maybe he's not the best source to be quoting at this point.

But, take some risks when you are young and can do it and I guarrantee you will not regret it. If it doesn't work out for you, hey, you can always move back. But you will always have the experience, as well as another entry on your resume. Good luck with the interview!

No snow.

No snow or slippery black ice in either Sacramento or LA!

Your first interview may be too early to be discussing salary. (Just say "open", when queried - that is, unless you have a definite figure in mind!). Nevertheless, you've gotten good advice here. A nice apartment will run you anywhere from $800 on up, plus the cost of commuting.

The most important thing for you to do now is to sit down and calculate how much it will really cost you to live in Sacramento or LA - in after-tax dollars. Staying in an apartment means having to pay for a lot of bills - you will be responsible for your own electricity and telephone, at least; plus the cost of the apartment. If you choose a gated community, you will be paying for the added security. When you know how much it will cost you to move out here and how much more than the basics you want to be making, then you will be in a better position to judge whether this is a "great" opportunity or not.

If the opportunity is as good as it sounds and if it pays well, then it really doesn't matter which coast it's on - you will most likely be moving on to other jobs in other parts of the country. Under these circumstances, the weather is probably secondary for your consideration.

Anyhow, we've got nice weather here in California!

Good luck on your interview!

Well, at your age I think it would be fun! You never have to be "stuck" anywhere, sure I would check it out
but at 20 something I would jump on in-
I did-at 25 I married and moved from Tucson to Boulder-talk about schock!
My first winter I was so cold I was crying-oh I laugh now...yet I had a blast and I learned to ski and made wonderful friends. Got a better job
and moved into Denver and continued a marvelous life. And then....Denver's economy tanked and all my friends had to scurry to other cities. I was offered a job in Boston-paid for relocation- and I said "why not". Great job, but when the building was finished
(14 mos.) I knew the east coast was not for me. Back to Denver for a year and then an offer from San Francisco and off I went-(another paid relo).I was 34. What a great city to live and work in! And again so very different than Denver,Boston or Tucson. I took an early retirement before I was 45, and lived in Marin County for awhile-met my 2nd husband and now we live in Sonoma
County, CA just happy as clams-so you never know what's going to happen-just don't stay stuck when you think you can grow!
R5

Thanks for all the encouragement! I will admit i am worried how things will work out with my boyfriend (not that this has anything to do with travel) But has anyone out there done a long distance romance that actually worked out?

how hard would it be for a 2002 car to pass ca emmissions?