The Best Neighborhoods in the Sacramento Area for Young Professionals

It’s no secret that the Sacramento-area housing market is still going strong. With the opportunity to work remotely sticking around long after the pandemic, many young professionals fled the Bay Area and its sky-high housing prices. They discovered they could get more space at a fraction of the cost and still have access to everything an urban center provides. With world-class restaurants, lively nightlife, cutting edge art, and easy access to outdoor recreation, it’s no wonder so many 20- to 30-something professionals choose to call Sacramento home.

But to those unfamiliar with the area, it can be difficult to figure out where to live. After all, the greater Sacramento area has a wide variety of housing types, from hip downtown lofts to tidy historic bungalows. The good news is there are choices to fit every taste and every budget. Following are some of the best neighborhoods for young professionals to consider.

Midtown Sacramento

With its plethora of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, live music venues and indie boutiques, Midtown Sacramento is perhaps the most popular area for young professionals in Sacramento. Stretching from around 16th Street to 30th Street, the area boasts a robust and hip culture, and there’s always something going on, whether a food festival, art showcase or farmers’ market. Victorian-era homes and craftsman bungalows line the canopied streets, and locals can step out their front door to their neighborhood café for a bite to eat (or a pint at the corner bar).

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Downtown Sacramento

Midtown’s westerly neighbor, Downtown Sacramento, is another popular spot for young professionals. Most of the city’s financial, corporate and government offices are located here, as is DOCO, or Downtown Commons, a lively entertainment complex with bars, restaurants and shops anchored by the Golden One Center, home to the Sacramento Kings. Walkable streets, farmers’ markets and events such as free outdoor music make for a lively and happening neighborhood. Plus, brand-new apartments, lofts and condos mean housing choices are abundant.

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East Sacramento

East Sacramento is perhaps best known for its high-end historic properties in the Fab 40s, but there are plenty of other homes for sale in East Sacramento that are a bit more accessible to young professionals. In fact, East Sacramento is a rather large neighborhood that stretches from Alhambra Blvd. in the west all the way to the American River and Sac State, meaning there are homes for sale for every taste and budget. Although East Sac doesn’t have the urban vibe of downtown or midtown, it has top-notch restaurants, lively bars and tons of cafés and other hangout spots. It’s also known for its community events, including concerts in the park, outdoor movie nights and holiday events. Plus, you can easily access the American River Parkway along its northern and eastern borders.

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North Oak Park

North Oak Park is a revitalized enclave of hip boutiques, great restaurants and indie cafés. Located southeast of midtown, it hugs the Broadway corridor and stretches east to Stockton Blvd. North Oak Park is known for its community events, including First Fridays, which feature live music, food trucks, and artisan vendors. There are numerous art galleries and shops that sell everything from locally designed clothing to plants to second-hand books. Housing options run the gamut too, and include vintage bungalows, character-filled Victorians, and sleek modern condos.

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Curtis Park

Bordering North Oak Park on the west, Curtis Park is a fast-growing community that has a suburban feel but plenty of things to do. There are several breweries and tap houses, great laid-back restaurants, and the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts, which hosts live theater and community classes like yoga and dance. Additionally, its namesake park is the perfect spot for jogging and dog walking and it also hosts live music and community festivals. Housing in Curtis Park ranges from quaint historic properties to new construction.

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West Sacramento

Just a hop, skip and a jump over the Sacramento River, West Sacramento is a growing community with everything a young professional could ask for. Restaurants, bars, shopping centers, farmers’ markets and plenty of outdoor recreation make it a great choice for those starting out. River Walk Park has a scenic trail along the water with access to Drakes at the Barn, a local brewery with live music and fire pits. West Sacramento is also home to Sutter Health Park, where you can catch a River Cats game come summer. West Sac is just a short drive to downtown, making commuting (and weekend excursions) a breeze. New neighborhoods are springing up with single-family homes and there are also modern, urban condos.

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Folsom

Young professionals looking for a taste of suburban life should consider a move to Folsom. Just 30 minutes from downtown Sacramento, Folsom is popular among families, true, but it’s no sleepy ‘burb. It has a vibrant nightlife scene, with live music venues, bars, and restaurants serving every type of cuisine imaginable. The Folsom Historic District is a popular hangout spot and hosts a weekly farmers’ market and holiday events. Active types are especially drawn to Folsom for its many parks, walking and biking trails, and access to outdoor recreation. Folsom Lake offers boating and fishing, while Lake Natoma is a popular paddling spot. Plus, the American River Bike Trail wends its way through town. Housing options include single-family homes, modern townhomes and condos, even quaint historic properties in the center of town.

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Elk Grove

Elk Grove is a quiet bedroom community south of Sacramento. But quiet doesn’t necessarily mean boring! There are tons of things to do in Elk Grove, including community festivals, art receptions, outdoor movie nights, and farmers’ markets. Shopping and dining are also popular pastimes, as is spending an afternoon at a craft brewery or local winery. There are dozens of parks in Elk Grove, most with extensive walking and biking trails. Best of all, housing is abundant, making it one of the most affordable areas in the greater Sacramento region.

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Davis

It’s no secret Davis is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation, with miles of designated bike trails that wend their way through town. Home to U.C. Davis, this vibrant college town has plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and art galleries. Davis has a number of community parks, all of which make for a pleasant day out. Central Park is known for its weekly farmers’ market, one of the largest in the area, which is open Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Not only do they offer fresh fruits and veggies from local growers, they also have baked goods, crafts and food trucks.

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