Job offer...Where should I go?

sweathog wrote:

One thing I would mention though is that the 2010 Winter Olympics will be there, so will probably be a huge construction mess before it and then a major hassle there during that time.

The Olympic construction is having little impact other than a few specific streets (and of course the massive debt that the province is sure to incur to host this circus).

I'm not advocating for Sacramento, but I live here, so I thought I'd provide some honest details to help you make an informed decision after seeing a couple of the predictable generalizations made.

Weather: Generally mild climate. It can get very hot from late May to early September, but the last two summers have been temperate compared to some of the worst years. The heat here is a dry heat, as they say, so you don't get anywhere near the humidity you'd have to deal with in Austin or back East. There is a breeze at night that usually cools things down, and many people in the summer run either early in the morning or after dark to avoid the worst temperatures.

Spring and fall are great temperature-wise, pretty much 50s, 60s and 70s during the day. The worst you'll have to deal with in the winter are rain and wind. It can get in the low 30s early in the mornings, but very manageable compared to what most of the country deals with.

Location: About 90 minutes east of the Bay Area, about 90 minutes west of the Sierras. Sometimes it can feel like a very small town, though nightlife has improved in the last few years. But if you're ever bored with it, you have a ton of recreation and entertainment opportunities within a short drive.

Running: A lot of people like to run along the American River Parkway, a shaded path that stretches more than 30 miles from downtown to the suburb of Folsom (near where CIM starts). It has a dirt path on the shoulder of the bike trail, but it also has dirt trails along the river. Water fountains and bathrooms are available every few miles. Other than that, there are a few decent-sized parks in the city with 1-2 mile trails. Or you can make up your own loops on asphalt in the suburbs, which, for better or worse, are plentiful here.

Cost of Living: Not expensive compared to LA, San Diego or the Bay Area, but still pricey. Home prices are dropping, so it's a decent time to buy a house if you're in a position to. A lot of homes are available in the $300K-400K range. Any range of rents can be found, but about $800/month for a 1-bedroom downtown is average.

If I were in your position, it would come down to Sacramento vs. Vancouver. If I HAD to live in Texas, Austin would be my choice no-doubt, but Sacramento (California) and Vancouver (B.C.) are in much more desirable regions than Austin.

Weather: Sacramento can be very hot 100-105 degrees dry heat F in the summer, but it cools down to the 60s at night (even on the hottest days). Winter weather is not bad either. Lowest it's every going to get is 30 degrees. No snow and only a small amount of rain to deal with. Overall nice climate and good running weather. Weather very predicatable.

Vancouver: Cooler/more temperate but will definitely feel significantly colder than Sacramento. If you're a "warm weather person", don't go here. Nice city and good running. Weather very predictable.

Austin: By far the worst weather of the three. DHumid summers and who knows what you'll get in the winter.

Sacramento housing prices are high (being in California), but with the recent industry tumble there are many deals to be had.

Okay, I'm rambling.

I'll end with this--by far the best place to go for info like this:

citydata.com forums

lots of good info from real people on there about all cities:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/

SactoRunner wrote:

Cost of Living: Not expensive compared to LA, San Diego or the Bay Area, but still pricey. Home prices are dropping, so it's a decent time to buy a house if you're in a position to. A lot of homes are available in the $300K-400K range. Any range of rents can be found, but about $800/month for a 1-bedroom downtown is average.

To put it in perspective, I am not sure there is even a condo for 300K in Vancouver proper (if there is it is less than 500 square ft). If you want an actual house with an actual yard, plan on spending a min of 700K. If you want it to not be a tear down, or in an acceptable neighbourhood, budget for 900K.

That being said, rents are not too bad - but more like 1000 for a one bed (min).

I would almost certainly guarantee the weather is better in Sacto (unless you really really like rain and clouds).

Lived in Austin for 3 years, and with the exception of UT alumni, I enjoyed my stay. Very fitness oriented--plenty of running / biking areas. Great entertainment--one of the few places you can expect to find Willie Nelson and Kid Rock on the same stage. It is the live music capital of US & has plenty of fine eateries. Austin is one of the most expensive cities in Texas to live, but quality of life makes it worth it. Only problem outside of UT alumni is TRAFFIC! Infrastructure has not kept up with growth. Still, a lot of charm with southern hospitality. Your kids will benefit from Eanes, Lake Travis, Leander, Round Rock, Cedar Park school districts. The Hill Country is just minutes away, and Tex / Mex and barbecue are what every chef in America attempts to copy. When you move there, toast with an ice cold Shiner! God bless ya.

[quote]Flagpole Willy wrote:

[quote]runner312 wrote:

Sacramento is ungodly hot in the summer. I love California, but I wouldn't want to live in Sacramento.

I'd pick Austin.

r u crazy? Austin is in the 90s most of the summer WITH 90% humidity; much worse than Sac-town in the summer, where it is hot but with low humidity.

Sacramento

Should you accept a job in Sacramento, try to live east of folsom such as Shingle Springs or El Dorado Hills. If not feasbile, try Auburn to the North.

Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and other Sierra destination regions are not far away....awesome recreation year-round.

Great wine country, if you are into wine.

Gold country.

Should you lose your job, you can find a decent paying one in Sacramento. Or you can commute via one of the regional airports say out of Rescue to the Bay Area (yes, even on a daily basis if you double up with some acquantences who also work in the Bay Area).

Housing prices continue to decline in Sacto suburbs. A great value...and pretty good timing to buy in now if you have decent credit.

Vancouver

It has Kokanee beer. On that merit alone, you can't go wrong. And most Canadiens are pretty awesome human beings to be around.

Austin

You can buy a cheap home on a golf course still.

All 3 are good, I don't think you can go wrong whichever you choose.

Assuming you're married, I hope you don't have a problem with infidelity. If you do avoid Austin, because Austin has the hottest women per capita!

Trust me on this, God blessed Texas.

Austin!

I think any of those three cities would be pretty good. All nice places with some character. All decent weather. All have good people and you won't get bored. Good luck with your decision.

And be lucky that you have good options unlike places such as Gary, Indiana, St. Louis, Missouri and Flint, Michigan.

renaissance girl wrote:

Austin!

I spent 3 summers in Austin. Nice town but horrible for running distance in the summer. No one can argue with that. If you like living in a steam room.

Get your junky ass up before 9 a.m. or head to Barton Springs. Adapt or perish.

uh, no; I moved to Santa Monica, Ca where the temp is in the 65-80 degree range, year round, with low humidity. Paradise! Austin was a pesthole full of Yahooos.

thanks you all

I heard Folsom area is full with rattle snakes...

two words:

Canadian Passport

If you live in Canada on a PR card for 3 years, you qualify for permanent residence status, which then qualifies you for citizenship.

Having a passport from a *modern* English speaking OECD nation (universal health and education) is always a good thing.

Vancouver would probably be the most fun and liveable, but your money will take you so much farther in Austin.

I say go with Austin!

From CNN's Money Calculator:

Salary in Austin TX: $50,000

Comparable salary in Sacramento CA:$63,776.09

If you move from Austin TX to Sacramento CA...

Groceries will cost: 32.695% more

Housing will cost: 86.32% more

Utilities will cost: 5.11% more

Transportation will cost: 6.364% more

Healthcare will cost: 12.872% more

I don't live or even run much in Folsom, but yeah, there are some rattlesnakes near Folsom Lake. I've run hundreds of miles on the parkway in the last year and only seen one snake, which wasn't bothersome. If you have a thing about snakes, just stick to the roads.

Another guy suggested the foothills areas near Sacramento, which I agree are pleasant, but not worth the commute. Just depends on where you have to work and what your tolerance for traffic is. I know a guy in my office who commutes an hour or more to downtown from Shingle Springs each way. If I had to spend two hours on the road in addition to eight or nine hours at work, and if I had kids like you do, it would be much harder to get daily runs in.

One of the good things about Sacramento is that there are plenty of livable neighborhoods closer to downtown. If you live near the river, you even have a great running trail at your doorstep.

I live in Folsom, which is about 10 miles east of downtown Sac. I have small kids too. Folsom has an awesome public school system. Absolutely excellent. I have visited Austin, unfortunately it was in the month of July and I thought the weather was pure hell. Nice city, but it was like a sauna with the humidity. Couldn't live there. Vancouver is lovely but very expensive for housing. Sacto weather is the most temperate of the three. Hot, but low humidity in the summer, cools off at night due to breezes off the river delta, rainy and foggy in the winter but nothing bad. I would avoid living in Elk Grove unless your job is in that area simply because it's booming (south of Sacto) and the traffic from EG into Sacto is absolutely hideous. There is light rail from Folsom into Sacto and I ride it almost every day.

Sacto area housing is more expensive than Austin but it's dropping. You could find a bargain on a repo.