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Population: 2,067,117
Population Growth Since 2000: 13%
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 34%
Cost-of-Living Index: 121.7 (100 being national average)
Median Household Income: $56,953
Income Growth Since 2000: 19%
Once, Sacramento's cultural appeal could be described in two words: drive time. A 90-minute trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley in one direction and Lake Tahoe in the other, Sacramento offers easy access to some of the nation's finest recreational amenities, from skiing in the Sierras to wine-sipping in grape country to the myriad restaurants and galleries of San Francisco.
But lately, Sacramento has become a place to savor on its own. "More and more we're finding all we enjoy right here -- great outdoor recreation, a lively arts scene, fine dining -- right here," says longtime resident Emmy Mignano.
Sacramento owes much of its new cachet to downtown redevelopment, which has introduced about 30 new restaurants (including the chic Ella Dining Room & Bar) to the area, as well as retail, residential and office space. The Railyards project, still in its planning stage, will further reconfigure downtown, putting 12,000 residential units, along with entertainment and retail shops, on 240 acres north of the central business district.
As for outdoor recreation, the locals have always had plenty of opportunity to get outside in SacTown, one of the ten sunniest cities in the country. Residents can bike the streets, hit the golf courses, browse the farmer's markets and escape the blistering summer heat by boating, fishing or waterskiing on the American or Sacramento rivers.
Like the rest of the state and nation, Sacramento is suffering through the economic blahs, and is currently in a no-growth mode. Area job losses, mostly owing to the collapse of homebuilding, have been offset by job gains in government, education and health, and professional and business services. California's state budget deficit could affect government jobs in the next fiscal year, says Ryan Sharp of the Sacramento Regional Research Institute, but for now, "that sector is doing okay." Meanwhile, clean-energy companies are bringing new jobs to the area, says Bob Burris, of the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization. "Clean technology has really gone through the roof in the last two years."
As for housing, prices dropped about 35% in Sacramento over the last 12 months, according to the California Association of Realtors. In April, the median price of an existing single-family home was about $235,000, down from over $400,000 a few years ago. That's bad news for sellers but good news for first-time buyers, who have responded accordingly, says Alan Wagner, president of the Sacramento Association of Realtors. "They couldn't afford a home three years ago. This is a price point they can afford."
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POSTED BY: ch (August 18, 2008 04:24 PM)
Have to agree with Jim - I loved Sac when I first moved there as a freshman in 1984 from LA. It has grown A LOT! Now it seems more like a suburb of the Bay Area. I enjoyed Sac as a single guy who loves the outdoors but my ideal city has changed since being a father. One thing is for sure, good cities will grow because people want to be there. How the city manages and plans that growth can make or break being on "the list." I think Sac could do a way better job of planning their new found growth and maybe create places along the light rail corridor that people want to go. Hire more cops, keep the rivers and local parks a safe place to bring your family.
POSTED BY: BIGGAME J (August 25, 2008 03:27 PM)
Yes, Kiplinger definitely got this right. Everyone move here to Sacramento!!!!!!! It is hands down the best place to live in the country. Especially if you live in the Bay Area, move here. We welcome you with open arms.
POSTED BY: keith (September 11, 2008 12:52 AM)
Sacramento is great! moved to LA in 95 and moved back in 2005 I missed the park settings the wildlife the diversity & the history. In that time we also had some good influence from the bay as population increased. Best city in CA if you are middle class...if I were rich, SF, but I am not.
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