Looking at a relocation to Sacramento/Folsom area. I would like some impressions of the area. We're a 50 something couple, salary will be about $120k in Folsom "high tech". Currently in TX and know that cost of living will take a big jump. However, our kids are in college and we are glad to downsize housing. (Looks like the kids will be on our payroll for about 3 more years) Where should we begin to look for housing? Our plan will be to take temporary housing and "look" for a 2 or 3 bdr. Currently drive about 30-45 minutes to work, would like to cut that considerably. Is there ANYTHING (condo-towhnouse-house) for $250 - 300,000? I've done a bit of internet looking and I am having problems finding a starting point.

I'm looking for all theinformation that I can get! We tend to "bloom where we are planted" and we're loking forward to the change! Keeping a positive attitude - at least we have a job that isn't being outsourced to India and we have relocation benefits. Thanks much!

Hello, I live in Sac and work in Roseville. The cost of housing has definitely gone up in the past few years, but it all depends upon what kind of house you're looking for. Do you want a brand new tract home, or an older one with "character"? Folsom is one of the more expensive areas around, but you still have options. You could live in areas closer to downtown and still have a commute less than 20 minutes. If you choose to live in Folsom, you'll probably end up in a house built in the last 5 years. Look in Orangevale, Fair Oaks. Rancho Cordova is inexpensive but isn't a great neighborhood.

My parents (in law) live in Fair Oaks and its very close to Folsom...both are lovely towns!

Aloohaaa maple,
As a longtime resident of So Placer Co. I strongly encourage you to look in East Sacto County or El Dorado County.

As JenRon mentions, you still may be able to gets some "finds" in O'vale, Fair Oaks areas. Some nice condos near Folsom Lake/Granite Bay. $250,000-$300,000 will still get you a nice house here. It just won't be on a few acres of land.
Will you be working in Folsom?

Since they closed Folsom Dam Rd the traffic thru Folsom has been a nightmare.

Have you given any thought to living downtown Sac? Everytime we go into the area, Mrs Kal gets the "Wouldn't it be fun to live down here"-Davey Jones eyes.

The local city government was trying to get people to move back to the downtown area but we know how Calif government entities operate, yah?

Funny how a lot of people here are moving TO Texas. I could live in the San Antonio area.
Good luck and welcome!

Ahhh, to be able to get a house near me at $200K...!! Oh well....

Kal, you picked one of only two Texas cities I'd even consider VISITING, let alone settling in (the other being Austin)!! Aren't we lucky to have a long list of places in California that we'd love to live in?!

Have you checked out realtor.com and yahoo real estate? Both are very helpful in getting an idea of real estate prices in different areas.

Wow! Thanks for the replies - I knew I could get food info from you folks. DH just called and he says there are cheap tickets DFW to Sacramento this weekend, so we may be on our way for a quick look around. RJW - our boys are in school at UT in Austin and it is a great place and we love San Antonio, too. But Dallas area is where the job is, and it is fine. Good people and lots to do here. We don't have any complaints. Real estate is good here - we are in a $200,000 8 y/o custom house w/2800 sq ft. and a huge lot. BUT, this is our first time in the burbs, so urban living is not uncomfortable to us.

Maple: Good to hear that your "take" on Dallas is a positive one. I frankly found Dallas to be a not-fun city (well, when I was there, there wasn't anything I wanted to do). And a buddy in Plano got his car broken into (out front of his big suburban house) Monday night-- and they took his AIRBAGS!! Is there a problem with that in the outlying cities...? I mean, I live in Long Beach CA, and no one has even tried to cut the top on my convertible (yet)!

Whoops - hit send a bit premature - hate that "premature sending"...

Anyway - We have lived in everything from trailers (linear living), Urban 100 y/0 money pit and now these burbs. Each had advantages & disadvantages. I did check the online realtor sites, but it is hard to know what the area is like. The job would be located in Folsom off Hwy 50.

This board is helpful is letting me know where to look. A few miles can make a big difference in any area. So I will now start my Google search! Since we are so open - and no kids to worry about - it is a different relocation for us!

Thanks to all! If you want, you could also email me at [email protected].

Forgot to mention it: Best of luck in your relocation, Maple! And welcome to California!!