These lush waterways flow out into the countryside to nurture one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the country, giving life to Sacramento\u2019s famous farm-to-fork restaurant culture. In addition, the rivers provide endlessly beautiful vistas throughout the city and offer plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventures.<\/p>\n
If you are buying a home in Sacramento, you are always going to be in relationship to one or the other of these spectacular waterways, so let\u2019s take a look at the neighborhoods they cradle.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\n HomeLight-recommended real estate agents are top-tier negotiators who understand the market data that helps you save as much as possible when buying your dream home.<\/p>\n \n We looked at the data and spoke with Jenny Rosas<\/a>, who works with 79% more single-family homes than the average Sacramento agent, to learn about the housing attributes of some of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Sacramento, plus their amenities and character.<\/p>\n Sacramento is considered quite the hidden treasure<\/a> of California for many reasons. The city enjoys plentiful sunshine, acres of waterways and other natural areas to explore, mountain views with access to winter sports not far away in Tahoe, plentiful historical and cultural sites, and a fabulous restaurant scene.<\/p>\n As the capital of California, the city is home to many state landmarks, museums, and parks, including the Crocker Art Museum<\/a>, the oldest public art museum west of the Mississippi River. And because Sacramento isn\u2019t as high-profile as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, or Silicon Valley, it has traditionally offered more moderately priced housing.<\/p>\n The escalating housing prices in San Francisco, combined with the coronavirus pandemic, sent young professionals streaming north to find housing, some to work from home and others to make the commute back to Silicon Valley. Headed into 2023<\/a>, however, prices have started to decline as the market rebalances<\/a>, making it easier to afford some of these top Sacramento neighborhoods.<\/p>\n Sacramento is divided into approximately 10 major areas with nearly 100 unique neighborhoods and suburbs. Here are a few areas to consider.<\/p>\n If you like the hustle and bustle of the city and proximity to great jobs, then start your house-hunting in Downtown or Midtown<\/a>. This is where you will find many of the cultural and historical sites of Sacramento, plus great restaurants and bars for after-work gatherings. In Downtown, Prelude Kitchen & Bar<\/a> is one of the most well-known quintessential farm-to-fork Sacramento restaurants with a fabulous cityscape patio.<\/p>\n Midtown is especially known for its trendy nightlife with more than 200 restaurants to choose from, and its central location makes it transit heaven, with plenty of public transportation to get you wherever you want to go.<\/p>\n One of the most attractive features of both Downtown and Midtown is the range of housing available. You will find plenty of historical housing here, especially in the Victorian style, but there are some modern accommodations as well.<\/p>\n However, be wary of sticker shock if you think you are going to find something super cheap here! That said, at a median price of $290,400, it still beats the overall median price of $465,000 for the Sacramento area<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI resided in Midtown for a while, and at a time when prices weren\u2019t as intense,\u201d Rosas said. \u201cIt was the place to be for young professionals. Now, you are competing against multiple offers, and while it is still attractive to many new buyers coming into the city, pricing has made it impossible for some to afford.\u201d<\/p>\n Just across the river from the Downtown area is West Sacramento, home to Raley Field, where the Sacramento River Cats<\/a> play, and popular breweries such as Bike Dog<\/a>, Drake\u2019s The Barn<\/a>, and Jackrabbit<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWest Sacramento is right on the outskirts of downtown and is kind of the quintessential Sacramento neighborhood,\u201d Rosas said. \u201cIt gave rise to the \u2018City of Trees\u2019<\/a> slogan.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people think of West Sacramento, they think of that farm culture that Sacramento is famous for and an area that is more spacious. But like many areas of Sacramento, it has a lot of diverse pockets of more or less affordability. For instance, in the north area of West Sac is much more affordable for first-time homebuyers, whereas the southern area is more expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n Although there are apartment complexes in West Sacramento, most of the neighborhood is made up of single-family homes, listing in a range of $200,000 to $500,000 as of March 2022.<\/p>\n Located on the south-central edge of Sacramento, Meadowview is an urban neighborhood that offers a lot of conveniences for commuters \u2014 with a 15-to-30-minute average driving commute \u2014 and a family-friendly and affordable environment.<\/p>\n \u201cMeadowview is closer to downtown than some of the outlying communities, like Elk Grove, and more affordable than many of the communities,\u201d Rosas explains, noting that the neighborhood is a bit older, with homes built primarily between 1940 and 1970, and it is made up of small to medium-sized single-family homes.<\/p>\n Rosas adds though the median price point of $336,000<\/a> puts it well below the Sacramento median, you will find pockets within the subdivisions in Meadowview where you may find even more affordable options.<\/p>\n Meadowview<\/a> is well known in the Sacramento area for its schools, including its elementary schools, Edward Kemble, John Bidwell, and Susan B. Anthony; its middle schools John H. Still and Rosa Parks; and West Campus High School<\/a>, one of the top-ranked schools in Sacramento. West Campus students have ranked in the top 10% statewide for consistently high achievement in reading and language, as well as math proficiency.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s step away from affordability for a moment to talk about one of the most charming neighborhoods in all of Sacramento.<\/p>\n Tucked in between Downtown and Midtown, Boulevard Park is considered one of the best places to live in Sacramento. With a median home price of just over $1 million \u2014 and many homes topping out over $2 million \u2014 this area is not for the first-time homebuyer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s actually a little section of the downtown area that is just very charming, featuring the older historical homes,\u201d Rosas said.<\/p>\n If you love a great urban neighborhood, this is the place to look. The Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association<\/a>, formed in 1991, strives for \u201cthe preservation of old values and traditions but also values individuality and new ideas,\u201d and regularly organizes beautification projects, holiday decorations, yard sales, and annual events, such as a Fourth of July picnic, National Night Out, and progressive dinners.<\/p>\n Although there are restaurants aplenty in Downtown and Midtown, Boulevard Park is home to the Italian and French cuisine of The Waterboy<\/a>, the flavorful Spanish fare of Aioli Bodega Espanola<\/a>, and the seasonal American menu of Mulvaney\u2019s B&L<\/a>, located in an historic firehouse built in 1893.<\/p>\n Just southeast of Midtown is the North Oak Park area. What\u2019s not to love about this area for young professionals? Easy freeway access makes it ideal for commuters to reach any area of the city in a reasonable amount of time.<\/p>\n With a median home price of $231,729, the neighborhood offers traditional ranch houses as well as condominiums and bungalows.<\/p>\n \u201cOak Park<\/a> has seen a lot of regentrification, especially North Oak Park,\u201d Rosas said. \u201cThere have also been some newer developments in that area. It\u2019s a very cute area, and attractive to singles and young professionals because it is so affordable.\u201d<\/p>\n The Oak Park Farmers Market<\/a> is one of the most popular attractions of this area, along with the historic Guild Theater<\/a> and McClatchy Park<\/a>, a children\u2019s playground mecca.<\/p>\n With a population of just over 7,000, Land Park<\/a> is one of the smaller communities in Sacramento \u2014 and like Boulevard Park, one of the most upscale, with a median home price listing at $732,000. The area features Tudor-style homes and smaller cottages, as well as condominiums.<\/p>\n Its proximity to Sacramento, just over two miles south of the downtown area, make Land Park a short commute and within easy reach of the city\u2019s amenities. But its main attraction is that it is a true suburb, offering a quieter environment for families and seniors.<\/p>\n The community is known for its amenities, including William Land Park<\/a>, Funderland Amusement Park<\/a>, the Sacramento Zoo<\/a>, and Fairytale Town<\/a>. It is also home to Sacramento City College<\/a>.<\/p>\n During the week, there\u2019s no need to wander out of Land Park to find tasty food. On the north side of Land Park is an international food mecca, strung along Broadway like jewels on a necklace. Land Park\u2019s most iconic restaurants include Chada Thai Cuisine<\/a>, Kyoto Sushi Bar Grill and Ramen<\/a>, New Station<\/a>\u2019s authentic Chinese cuisine, Queen Sheba\u2019s<\/a> spicy and flavorful Ethiopian fare, and Tower Cafe<\/a>, featuring specialties from around the globe.<\/p>\n Many of the young professionals, especially those with families or families on the way, are increasingly moving into the Rancho Cordova<\/a> area.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I speak to clients relocating from the Bay Area or Southern California, they initially gravitate to some of the more well-known areas, like Natomas, Roseville or Folsom,\u201d Rosas said.<\/p>\n \u201cI recently had a client who I invited to visit in Rancho Cordova. They identified a home they liked there and just recently closed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey absolutely love it. They didn\u2019t know this place existed. The attributes of Rancho Cordova just worked for them. There is quick access to the interstate, and cleaner, wider streets because it’s a newer area.\u201d<\/p>\n You can expect about a 30-minute commute if you choose to live in Rancho Cordova, but on the weekend, you can hop on your bike to get your errands completed, or enjoy 26 miles of bike and pedestrian trails. Six miles of the beautiful American River<\/a> forms the northern border of Rancho Cordova, and the town enjoys 70 acres of creek channels and tributaries, so you are never far away from a serene nature experience.<\/p>\n With a population of nearly 80,000, Rancho Cordova is one of the most populated neighborhoods of Sacramento. And although the median home value in Rancho Cordova is $476,300<\/a>, this large suburb offers a fairly wide variety of housing options. The school system has earned high ratings, and over the years, Rancho Cordova has been home to a wide array of hometown events<\/a>, making it an enticing place to live.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs. It takes just two minutes to match you with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process.<\/p>\n \n ![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Save thousands when buying a home<\/h3>\n
The city of hidden treasures<\/h2>\n
1. Downtown\/Midtown: Where the action is<\/h2>\n
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West Sacramento is right on the outskirts of downtown and is kind of the quintessential Sacramento neighborhood. When people think of West Sacramento, they think of that farm culture that Sacramento is famous for and an area that is more spacious. But like many areas of Sacramento, it has a lot of diverse pockets of more or less affordability. For instance, in the north area of West Sac is much more affordable for first-time homebuyers, whereas the southern area is more expensive.<\/q>\n
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2. West Sacramento: Tree-lined beauty<\/h2>\n
3. Meadowview: Convenient and family friendly<\/h2>\n
4. Boulevard Park: The charm of Sacramento<\/h2>\n
5. North Oak Park: The up-and-comer<\/h2>\n
6. Land Park: Upscale and suburban<\/h2>\n
7. Rancho Cordova: Modern living<\/h2>\n
\n <\/div>\n \n Find a top real estate agent near you<\/h3>\n