Best Cities in the Greater Sacramento Area for Young Families

Updated 6/7/2021:


Feel like you're being priced out of Sacramento's top neighborhoods? You're not alone! Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they’re forecast to appreciate by about 5-7% percent this year. However, there are still some hidden gems and local pockets offering affordability, great schools and access to everything our beautiful area has to offer.


By comparing factors such as home values, education, income growth and a crime risk score, we’ve identified some of the best places to start your search for the Northern California community that’s right for you and your family. Here are our team’s picks!


EL DORADO HILLS


Nestled in the foothills northeast of Sacramento, El Dorado Hills focuses on serving families and providing a good education for students. The El Dorado Community Services District organizes holiday events throughout the year for kids, and manages the “hills” of the community, which includes more than 100 acres of parks. activities from golfing to sailing on nearby Folsom Lake.


FOLSOM


With places to play at Folsom Lake and the American River, Folsom boasts a great Sacramento County location with excellent public schools, many with high scores on the state’s most recent Academic Performance Index report. The annual American River Salmon Festival and Folsom’s trails around the lake help connect the suburban community to nature.


LOOMIS


Loomis offers residents a suburban rural mix feel and attracts buyers looking to live in a safe, tight-knit community that still has small town charm, but modern amenities like freeways and bigger cities just a few minutes away. There are a lot of local mom-and-pop restaurants and shops, as well as easy access to parks and highly-rated public schools. Loomis offers any type of housing you might be looking for, from large lots of land to high-density housing with no yard maintenance.

ROSEVILLE


Known for its shopping malls in the Sacramento area, Roseville sports a lively downtown. In May, June and July, families have the chance to see live bands and visit farmers markets in one place at Downtown Tuesday Nights. Roads, sidewalks and parking lots in Roseville accommodate traffic and also offer plenty of parking, and the city continues to improve its streets with new sidewalks that reflect the growth in the region.


ROCKLIN


This quiet middle- to upper-middle-class suburb sits in rolling hills close to Folsom Lake and within an hour’s drive to downtown Sacramento. The community’s schools in the Rocklin Unified School District include several California Distinguished Schools — Breen Elementary, Valley View Elementary and more. Affordable housing also makes this area attractive for families, with the median home list price of $562,500.


ELK GROVE


Elk Grove is the largest community in the top 10, with 158,455 residents. The city’s median home list price of $495,000 is affordable compared to both Northern California at large and to other Sacramento-area communities in our top 10. Elk Grove Unified School District is one of the largest in the state, covering 320 square miles and serving more than 62,000 students. The city is home to over 90 parks, the Emerald Lakes Golf Course, an aquatic complex and swim center and trails for recreation. Annual events in Elk Grove include the Giant Pumpkin Festival, the Elk Grove Multicultural Festival, Elk Fest and the Art Americana Faire.

About our Team


The Sherri Patterson Team specializes in residential real estate and relocation, with a combined 75+ years of experience serving the Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer and Yolo counties. We work directly with hospitals, physicians and medical professionals. Whether you're looking to buy, sell or relocate to the Greater Sacramento area, we are the premier real estate team of choice.

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