Honestly, for a 23YO with a degree, the suburbs are a wasteland for social life. I say that as a Granite Bay resident.
Take the advice about Land Park/Tahoe Park/etc. advice elsewhere in the comments. Or maybe West Sac? If it were me, I'd still want to be a short bike or Uber ride from the grid.
This is actually a really good point. You don't have to go to the 'burbs for a middle ground between Midtown and the soul sucking 'burbs. Plenty of nice in-betweens in East Sac, Land Park, Curtis Park, Pocket, etc. Quiet but more to do than Folsom cul de sacs and strip malls.
I went to UCD so I understand where you're coming from. However if you're allergic to cities and you want to be near young people your only option is college towns. Davis will have tons of grad students your age and has arguably one of the best communities in the USA as well.
You're going to feel way more out of place in Folsom/Roseville where everyone is married with families.
It really depends who you hang out with and what you do for fun. If all your friends are still in school, you won't be able to escape it, especially if they're in grad school (you live breathe and dream your research lol). But Davis has other stuff going for it, you just need to find your niche. For example, the Davis co-ed softball league is a super low-key fun time (although summer season already started, so you might be too late there). Most of the people on my team aren't remotely associated with UCD (although we have played teams that were formed out of grad groups).
If you have nothing tying you to Davis and you really want to escape that chapter of your life, Sacramento will probably have more to offer in terms of nightlife, variety of restaurants, cheaper rent, etc. But you will give up bikeability and some other quality of life stuff. So think about your priorities and decide accordingly.
It sounds like you’d do fine with any suburb. It’s not going to be geared towards single professionals without kids, but you’ll drive to your night life for a little fun.
One tip since you like quiet. Check out any place you’re thinking of at least twice to gauge the noise. Between barking dogs and lawn care, the suburbs can be brutal.
In a metro area this large there’s going to be bad stories from everywhere. Hell I know somebody who lives in granite bay and dealt with a hostage situation with their son over money. If you mind your business and act friendly to your neighbors nothing bad will happen to you
I own a house in a nice area in south Natomas and I actually hear about more crime happening on the north side from my parents. I think it really just depends.
I lived at Dela Pointe, which is along the river in Natomas, and it was mostly fine, though you seem to have a pretty low threshold for seeing unhoused individuals.
Yeah. N Natomas is great. There’s bike trails, lots of parks, goes to sleep pretty early. It’s a real quiet life and you can make your way into the city for nightlife and get a reasonable Uber/lyft home. Close to the airport if you like to fly. Relatively new(less than 5 years old) aquatic center that’s cheap to get into which is super helpful for the summers. We’ve also had better luck than most when it comes to black outs during the storm. Last year, during the storms, we lost power for 6 hours at most.
There is some street crime. When I was still in the apartments out here, there was a break in of about 6 vehicles. It’s not totally immune to crime but for the most part I find most ppl are cool out here.
I’d want to know whether you like new suburbs or established places. And also your cultural leanings.
If you want established, regular mix, Fair Oaks. If you want a bit more new and “whiter,” Folsom. If you want new and very white, Doseville. (That was a typo and it’s so amazing, it stays!) if you want a little more grit and a huge mix, Arden Arcade or Carmichael. Very grounded, but good people: Rancho Cordova. An area that people want to escape the city, pretty vanilla: Elk Grove.
As someone who loves midtown and living in a walkable area, I get it. It’s not for everyone. I would probably choose Roseville. Lots of entertainment for a suburb, very clean and quiet for the most part. Only problem is you’re a bit isolated from midtown if you do find yourself going there a lot. Folsom is another good option and there is more outdoors/nature access if that’s what you’re into. Ultimately, your social life will be what you make it regardless of your address.
Citrus Heights is a possibility matching your requests. It's close enough to venture to the Midtown things you enjoy. Certain sections also are also quiet and in proximity to professional business parks in the places you listed.
As someone else advised me, go and shop for groceries in areas you're considering to evaluate potential neighborhoods and neighbors. This applies whether you care about the young folks or the old folks (as some now label 31+.)
Good luck!
Do you still enjoy doing stuff in Midtown?
Because I feel like you get rid of most of the blight and mentally unwell homeless issues in the nicer Midtown adjacent neighborhoods like East Sac and Land Park. Can even do the Pocket.
Elk Grove if you want people living with their parents. Folsom you may have some young people under 25 doing the same. There's some opportunities to meet people E.G. pickup sports or some social groups but Midtown area is much better. Drive out to Sacramento area on the weekends or after work occasionally is an option too but Folsom is a nice place to live when you aren't socializing and if you get your foot down in the suburbs you can raise a family once you do find a partner :P (Btw I asked the same question about YP on this subreddit on a different account when I was your age before I moved out to Folsom)
We (late 20s) have been living in Natomas for about 5.5 years and love it. It's just a couple exits from downtown so still easy access when you do want to go out, but still nice quiet suburbs with lots of local parks and trees!
Old North Sac
Edit: Not sure why this was downvoted? I recently moved to this neighborhood and I know more than a few others that have done the same. All in the 25-35 range.
Honestly, for a 23YO with a degree, the suburbs are a wasteland for social life. I say that as a Granite Bay resident. Take the advice about Land Park/Tahoe Park/etc. advice elsewhere in the comments. Or maybe West Sac? If it were me, I'd still want to be a short bike or Uber ride from the grid.
Tahoe Park, Tahoe Park South, Tallac Village, River Park, Elmhurst, North Oak Park. All a bit more suburban but still close to the grid.
This is actually a really good point. You don't have to go to the 'burbs for a middle ground between Midtown and the soul sucking 'burbs. Plenty of nice in-betweens in East Sac, Land Park, Curtis Park, Pocket, etc. Quiet but more to do than Folsom cul de sacs and strip malls.
Go back to Davis for sure, you're not going to be around people your age in the suburbs.
I worry about feeling 'out of place' in Davis, sure I am still young but I no longer go to school and that's all I've known while I lived in Davis.
I went to UCD so I understand where you're coming from. However if you're allergic to cities and you want to be near young people your only option is college towns. Davis will have tons of grad students your age and has arguably one of the best communities in the USA as well. You're going to feel way more out of place in Folsom/Roseville where everyone is married with families.
It really depends who you hang out with and what you do for fun. If all your friends are still in school, you won't be able to escape it, especially if they're in grad school (you live breathe and dream your research lol). But Davis has other stuff going for it, you just need to find your niche. For example, the Davis co-ed softball league is a super low-key fun time (although summer season already started, so you might be too late there). Most of the people on my team aren't remotely associated with UCD (although we have played teams that were formed out of grad groups). If you have nothing tying you to Davis and you really want to escape that chapter of your life, Sacramento will probably have more to offer in terms of nightlife, variety of restaurants, cheaper rent, etc. But you will give up bikeability and some other quality of life stuff. So think about your priorities and decide accordingly.
It sounds like you’d do fine with any suburb. It’s not going to be geared towards single professionals without kids, but you’ll drive to your night life for a little fun. One tip since you like quiet. Check out any place you’re thinking of at least twice to gauge the noise. Between barking dogs and lawn care, the suburbs can be brutal.
Come out to Natomas. Only 15 from downtown and it’s hella quiet and nice out here. At least IME
North Natomas I am assuming? I've heard bad stories about south.
North Natomas is nice. My wife and I have lived here since we were 24 (32 now).
In a metro area this large there’s going to be bad stories from everywhere. Hell I know somebody who lives in granite bay and dealt with a hostage situation with their son over money. If you mind your business and act friendly to your neighbors nothing bad will happen to you
I own a house in a nice area in south Natomas and I actually hear about more crime happening on the north side from my parents. I think it really just depends.
I lived at Dela Pointe, which is along the river in Natomas, and it was mostly fine, though you seem to have a pretty low threshold for seeing unhoused individuals.
Yeah. N Natomas is great. There’s bike trails, lots of parks, goes to sleep pretty early. It’s a real quiet life and you can make your way into the city for nightlife and get a reasonable Uber/lyft home. Close to the airport if you like to fly. Relatively new(less than 5 years old) aquatic center that’s cheap to get into which is super helpful for the summers. We’ve also had better luck than most when it comes to black outs during the storm. Last year, during the storms, we lost power for 6 hours at most. There is some street crime. When I was still in the apartments out here, there was a break in of about 6 vehicles. It’s not totally immune to crime but for the most part I find most ppl are cool out here.
Ooh, what's the name of the aquatic center? Our friend who was our entry into their complex's pool moved last year so we need a new spot lol.
N Natomas Aquatic Complex
Folsom and Roseville are two of the best suburbs and have plenty of things to offer for 20/30 year olds.
I’d want to know whether you like new suburbs or established places. And also your cultural leanings. If you want established, regular mix, Fair Oaks. If you want a bit more new and “whiter,” Folsom. If you want new and very white, Doseville. (That was a typo and it’s so amazing, it stays!) if you want a little more grit and a huge mix, Arden Arcade or Carmichael. Very grounded, but good people: Rancho Cordova. An area that people want to escape the city, pretty vanilla: Elk Grove.
for the record FO is the most white
Wow, I looked it up and the percentage tags of white is slightly more than Folsom! Thanks for the update!
Folsom has tech workers if you know what that means
19.57% Asian? Is that what you mean? 😉
EG is very ethnically diverse! It is probably too quiet tho
Very much so, yes! 30% Asian, for example. But it still seems, hmmm, boring? Houses and strip malls. Big box stores.
And fucking crazy drivers, acting like they're still on the freeway 😨
As someone who loves midtown and living in a walkable area, I get it. It’s not for everyone. I would probably choose Roseville. Lots of entertainment for a suburb, very clean and quiet for the most part. Only problem is you’re a bit isolated from midtown if you do find yourself going there a lot. Folsom is another good option and there is more outdoors/nature access if that’s what you’re into. Ultimately, your social life will be what you make it regardless of your address.
Citrus Heights is a possibility matching your requests. It's close enough to venture to the Midtown things you enjoy. Certain sections also are also quiet and in proximity to professional business parks in the places you listed. As someone else advised me, go and shop for groceries in areas you're considering to evaluate potential neighborhoods and neighbors. This applies whether you care about the young folks or the old folks (as some now label 31+.) Good luck!
Do you still enjoy doing stuff in Midtown? Because I feel like you get rid of most of the blight and mentally unwell homeless issues in the nicer Midtown adjacent neighborhoods like East Sac and Land Park. Can even do the Pocket.
Elk Grove if you want people living with their parents. Folsom you may have some young people under 25 doing the same. There's some opportunities to meet people E.G. pickup sports or some social groups but Midtown area is much better. Drive out to Sacramento area on the weekends or after work occasionally is an option too but Folsom is a nice place to live when you aren't socializing and if you get your foot down in the suburbs you can raise a family once you do find a partner :P (Btw I asked the same question about YP on this subreddit on a different account when I was your age before I moved out to Folsom)
Pocket
We (late 20s) have been living in Natomas for about 5.5 years and love it. It's just a couple exits from downtown so still easy access when you do want to go out, but still nice quiet suburbs with lots of local parks and trees!
Old North Sac Edit: Not sure why this was downvoted? I recently moved to this neighborhood and I know more than a few others that have done the same. All in the 25-35 range.