Moving from the Bay Area to Sacramento? Start Here

Moving from the Bay Area to the Sacramento region can open up very different options when it comes to space, neighborhoods and the type of home you can buy.

But one of the first things I tell people relocating here is that the communities around Sacramento are more different than they may appear from a distance. Before focusing on houses, it helps to figure out where you actually want to live.

Start with what you want to change

What are you hoping to get from the move?

More space? A larger yard? New construction? A quieter neighborhood? Easier access to restaurants and shopping? Acreage and privacy?

Those priorities will quickly start narrowing the map.

El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Granite Bay, Loomis, Roseville and Rocklin all offer different combinations of those things- and even neighborhoods within the same community can feel very different.

Explore the area before you choose the house

If you're unfamiliar with the Sacramento region, I recommend spending some time in a few communities before getting serious about individual listings.

Drive through the neighborhoods. See where you would grocery shop. Try the route to the freeway. Visit during the week rather than only on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

A beautiful house can get your attention quickly, but the location is the part you can't change later.

Look beyond the purchase price

A Sacramento-area home may offer considerably more space for the money than what you're accustomed to in the Bay Area, but price alone doesn't tell you what a property costs to own. Depending on the neighborhood, there may be HOA dues, Mello-Roos or other assessments. Larger properties can bring higher landscaping and maintenance costs. Insurance can also vary depending on the home and location.

I prefer to compare the whole cost of a property rather than simply the asking price.

New isn't automatically better- and neither is established

There are excellent options on both sides.

New construction can offer modern floor plans, energy efficiency and fewer immediate maintenance concerns. Established neighborhoods may offer larger lots, mature landscaping and locations closer to existing amenities. The right answer depends on the particular home.

If you're considering new construction, pay attention to the lot, upgrades, builder incentives, additional assessments and what is planned around the community- not just the model home.

Think about the tradeoffs

Every community offers something different.

El Dorado Hills may appeal to someone who likes a foothill setting and a wide variety of neighborhood types. Folsom offers an established city alongside substantial newer development. Granite Bay includes everything from established subdivisions to custom homes and larger properties. Loomis offers more opportunities for acreage and semi-rural living.

None is universally better.

The question is which combination of location, property, convenience and cost makes sense for the way you actually want to live.

Give yourself permission to explore

You don't need to know exactly where you want to live before you start. In fact, comparing a few communities can be one of the most useful parts of the process.

Once you see what the same budget buys in different areas- and experience the neighborhoods for yourself- the decision usually becomes much clearer.

Planning a move from the Bay Area?

If you're still figuring out which Sacramento-area community makes sense for you, I can help you compare the neighborhoods, properties and tradeoffs before you narrow your search.

Plan Your Move