68 replies to this topic

[tsukiji]

How did the BA even enter the discussion? The OP is considering moving here from Modesto.

Because little miss sunshine was suggesting not to move here because the area lacks sophistication and couldn't wait to move back to the BA.

[john]

Hey gang,

I need to interject here a little. Some of you may be new to the forums, which is cool. I just wanted to remind you that it's expected of everyone on the boards to not get personal and no name calling... just tone it down a little and no personal attacks. Thanks!

[momodillie]

I was born and raised in Folsom, and IMO the major reason Folsom has a lot of traffic is because it is the only way for people from EDH to get to Roseville or Sac., and vice versa. If traffic coming through your town is a concern, I would think about that. It has turned into a major thoroughfare with the boom of Roseville and EDH.

However, I do feel like Folsom has the better community feel in most neighborhoods. Not that a neighborhood in EDH won't have it, the percentage is just smaller.

And if you go somewhere that backs to open space or your lot size is large- you are bound to encounter rattlesnakes. We moved into their home, not the other way around. You just have to stay away from them, or chop their heads off with a shovel (like my godmother Marie Kipp used to do).

[palango]

Hey gang,

I need to interject here a little. Some of you may be new to the forums, which is cool. I just wanted to remind you that it's expected of everyone on the boards to not get personal and no name calling... just tone it down a little and no personal attacks. Thanks!

I just wish that some folks got censored and deleted like "some" to AT LEAST attempt to create an aura of fairness.

Persona attacks have nothing to do with providing opinions about living in Folsom vs EDH.

[old soldier]

ok...sweetheart

honey is kind of a grandfatherly term and older people should be able to use the term.
its like the younger folks use the term "bro" or "dude" folks who watch lots of westerns like the term "partner" why back in the clint eastwood dirty harry days the term a..h...e was even in vogue.

if mccain gets to be president we will all be saying "my friend"

[aprilfool71]

AprilFool... be sure to let us know how the house/neighborhood hunting went this weekend! (By the way, it's not always this hot here)

the house hunting went good, although we didn't find our dream home just yet... actually we did but those are way too expensive for us in the one million range. we're looking in the $600-$700 range. some great homes but many were overpriced due to people not being able to afford their mortgages. i foresee many more homes going into foreclosure over the next year which is sure to drag down pricing further perhaps another 10-20%. anyway, the only bargains were bank owned homes selling for 140-160 per square foot mostly in serrano. but it was hard to find one of those with a big lot. we're looking for something in the ballpark of 4000 sq ft with at least .25 of an acre.

we actually liked some parts of serrano a lot. i noticed that the neighborhoods there were cleaner than some other neighborhoods without HOA. we saw one newer $750K home in the hills by the lake and it was surrounded by older homes with junky cars and trash out front. no HOA there obviously! so perhaps it's not so bad to keep things looking nice and to have some recourse with your neighbors barking dog, trash, etc.

we some really nice homes in both EDH and Folsom, but we liked EDH better. only because we want to live in a more quiet rural setting. also, EDH homes were cheaper than Folsom homes so you get more bang for your buck.

with homes free falling in price and no end in sight, we are considering renting in EDH for 6 months to a year to wait for real estate to hit rock bottom. that way we can really get familiar with the area and get our kids started in school/soccer ASAP.

what are rents like in EDH? anyone know of any good rental websites?

[Orangetj]

Renting for 6 months for the reasons you listed is probably a GREAT idea. After 6 months, you'll have a much better feel for the area and will be able to make a well informed decision.

There are people who like the HOA neighborhoods and those who don't. Both groups have their reasons. Having never lived in an HOA neighborhood before moving to Serrano, I have to say that I was a bit nervous about the idea of getting "in trouble" for little things. In practice, it doesn't happen because the "rules" are mostly the kinds of things we'd do anyways. For instance, I've never felt a great desire to park a car on my lawn, to have furniture stored in my driveway or to keep a goat out front to keep the grass short. Frankly, I'd prefer that my neighbors not do those things either, so it works out nicely to live among like-minded people. One thing about the neighborhoods with active HOA's (not just Serrano) - they are immaculate. From the parks to the streets, from the front yards to the nature trails, everything is very well maintained. I like that. while the gates can be a small hassle, they do seem to have the effect of pretty much eliminating cut-through traffic. Having lived in places where lots of folks drove through on their way to somewhere else, I am more than happy to trade a small bit of convenience for the dramatic reduction in cars driving past.

Having an HOA does cost money and, like most people, I'd prefer that it cost less. That said, I really feel that what we get in return is well worth the price.

[palango]

Renting for 6 months for the reasons you listed is probably a GREAT idea. After 6 months, you'll have a much better feel for the area and will be able to make a well informed decision.

There are people who like the HOA neighborhoods and those who don't. Both groups have their reasons. Having never lived in an HOA neighborhood before moving to Serrano, I have to say that I was a bit nervous about the idea of getting "in trouble" for little things. In practice, it doesn't happen because the "rules" are mostly the kinds of things we'd do anyways. For instance, I've never felt a great desire to park a car on my lawn, to have furniture stored in my driveway or to keep a goat out front to keep the grass short. Frankly, I'd prefer that my neighbors not do those things either, so it works out nicely to live among like-minded people. One thing about the neighborhoods with active HOA's (not just Serrano) - they are immaculate. From the parks to the streets, from the front yards to the nature trails, everything is very well maintained. I like that. while the gates can be a small hassle, they do seem to have the effect of pretty much eliminating cut-through traffic. Having lived in places where lots of folks drove through on their way to somewhere else, I am more than happy to trade a small bit of convenience for the dramatic reduction in cars driving past.

Having an HOA does cost money and, like most people, I'd prefer that it cost less. That said, I really feel that what we get in return is well worth the price.

Great opinion. You make a sound argument. I don't agree with Serrano HOA because I think that the sheer amount that they charge is Thievery. I believe that they can get the same thing done for 50-65% less than they charge currently. I also belive that if you pay close to $500 per quarter, AT LEAST, you should have access to a Fitness center, Golf Course, Swimming pool, Clubhouse.

[Orangetj]

I'd love to see our dues go down provided that we could continue to have the same quality of services. Spending less for the same thing is always good! The administration staff does seem pretty heavy and their facility is quite fancy. I wonder how much of an impact it would have on our dues if those line items were cut in half.

Regarding the fitness center, golf course, swimming pool and clubhouse - it would be awesome to have all of those amenities included for $489/quarter. Of course, I can't say that I've ever heard of a place where one can have all of those things for $161/month! That would be a screaming deal!

[palango]

I'd love to see our dues go down provided that we could continue to have the same quality of services. Spending less for the same thing is always good! The administration staff does seem pretty heavy and their facility is quite fancy. I wonder how much of an impact it would have on our dues if those line items were cut in half.

Regarding the fitness center, golf course, swimming pool and clubhouse - it would be awesome to have all of those amenities included for $489/quarter. Of course, I can't say that I've ever heard of a place where one can have all of those things for $161/month! That would be a screaming deal!

the blackstone development in EDH along with a host of other HOA develoipments in Natomas, Roseville, Lincoln, and Rocklin offer Cklubhouse, Swimming, and fitness Center with your HOA dues which are lower than Serrano. In fact, some such as Blackstone, have the same rules of Parking, Trash, planting, satelite dish, etc.

[pet lover]

Glad to hear about the schools... that's a big plus. The schools here in Stanislaus County are some of the worst in California. But I think Folsom schools rate just about as high as EDH. What I'm looking for are pluses and negatives to both. How is Folsom better than EDH and vice versa. As an outsider scenery and views are a big draw to EDH as well as the smaller town country vibe and beautiful new town center.

I like friendly people and we want to live in a family town so if EDH has that all the better. What about Folsom? Does it have a quiet family vibe?

What about the asbestos hype? Is it really as big a problem as some say it is?

We've looked at homes in Serrano and it is a beautiful place, but honestly we can't see how paying HOA fees and mello roos is worth it to live there when you don't even get a club house, pool, and gym out of it. EDH has very low crime rates so it's not like we'd be any safer living in a gated community. It would actually be more of a pain getting in and out and when you have guests, not to mention all the restrictions placed on you as a homeowner. Also, schools outside of Serrano are ranked just as high. So we really can't see the point paying monthly dues just to live there. I'd rather pay the $217 a month for a sports membership at Serrano country club and live somewhere else. That's a much better deal.

What other areas outside of Serrano are nice in EDH that don't have HOA and Mello Roos?

What about nice areas in Folsom? Are there any master planned communities there with a community club house with pool, tennis courts, and facilities?
I'd have to disagree with you about the anti-bay area sentiment. I grew up in Redwood City and my wife and I lived in Walnut Creek before moving to the valley. Actually she is originally from Romania. Just because someone is from the bay area doesn't mean they are a snob or rich. I am neither. I moved to the valley because I couldn't afford a house in the bay. There are a lot of great peeps in the bay, and all the growth in the valley and Sac area is due to us mostly bay area folks getting priced out of the market over there and moving out here, especially since so many employers have moved out to Sac and EDH.... oh and I don't think bay area people drive like idiots. If anything I've noticed that people in the valley drive crazier on Hwy 99 than people do on 101 or 280. In my visits to EDH and Folsom I haven't noticed any crazy drivers yet... but in my opinion there are crazy drivers everywhere. How do you know the idiot drivers are all bay area natives? Do they have a sticker on their car or something? Anyway I've lived all over California so, even though I'm a Bay Area native I just consider myself a Californian. I had no idea there was so much hate going around? Folsomites hate EDH'ers, and EDH'ers hate bay areans... bay areans hate LA'ers... crazy. Maybe that just comes from living in one place all your life?

As far as the foreclosures go I doubt any of those are from bay area peeps who cashed out their Burlingame equity and moved to EDH to get more bang for their buck. People with a lot of cash don't foreclose, people who spend money they don't have do regardless of where they are from. Most of the Burlingame/Fremont people you referred to probably paid cash for homes or put a significant down payment, and an even bigger percentage of them are retirees sitting on a big pile of cash. So they would have no reason to foreclose even if they were down 35% since they owe very little if anything on their homes. The foreclosures are do to cash poor people taking out 100% financing on ARM loans and gambled their homes would appreciate in value and then they'd refinance or sell in a few years before the loan payment doubled. These fiscally irresponsible people had no business buying homes to begin with, but because they were making so much money in a booming economy they figured they'd spend most of it on a house payment and then live off their credit cards. Banks were giving away easy credit by the truck loads. People had so much equity in their homes they were using it to buy Hummers and country club memberships even though they barely had any cash in the bank only their home equity lines of credit. They figured that their home values would just keep rising so they would just keep tapping and spending it. Then when the bubble burst all those cash poor people had no more equity and were now upside down, and probably out of work or making considerably less money. Thus you have massive foreclosures on a scale not seen since the Great Depression.

Serrano isn't the only place with foreclosures. 60% of the homes on the market in LA are foreclosures. My town of Turlock is littered with foreclosures. Half of my neighborhoods is vacant. California as a whole has more foreclosures than any other state, but no place has more than the Central Valley. The East Bay has a lot of foreclosures, but affluent super rich areas on the Peninsula like Burlingame, Hillsborough, Atherton, Woodside, Menlo Park, etc., have very few in comparison. Their home values are still at their all time peak and have been unscathed by the market downturn because there are so many high paying jobs there as well as old money.

Just do both communities a favor and don't move here. You sound like a snob. Do you want the high white population that you see when you visit? If you're looking for a home without Mello Roos you're not going to find anything that has a pool, club house, etc. By the way, Gallardo Elementary in Folsom had the top API score in all of Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties. The score just shows the kids test well. You're living in a community that has a high poverty rate which usually means education isn't regarded as important as surviving daily life.

[aprilfool71]

Just do both communities a favor and don't move here. You sound like a snob. Do you want the high white population that you see when you visit? If you're looking for a home without Mello Roos you're not going to find anything that has a pool, club house, etc. By the way, Gallardo Elementary in Folsom had the top API score in all of Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties. The score just shows the kids test well. You're living in a community that has a high poverty rate which usually means education isn't regarded as important as surviving daily life.

I take it you are another one of those bay area haters.

Your attitude and personal attack is uncalled for. What exactly did I say that is snobbish? Absolutely nothing.

When did I mention anything about wanting to live with only white people? I did not. I never mentioned race, you did.

I know very well I live in a community with a high poverty rate thank you very much. I know very well that is why our schools suck which is why we're moving. What exactly is your point?

I am simply on this forum to find out the positives and negatives about Folsom vs. EDH since I'm not familiar with the area. If people can't stick to that topic without personally attacking others based on where they come from or where they live they should just not say anything at all.

[john]

pet lover, that last coment was a bit over the top. I don't want to interject again on this thread.

[palango]

Just do both communities a favor and don't move here. You sound like a snob. Do you want the high white population that you see when you visit? If you're looking for a home without Mello Roos you're not going to find anything that has a pool, club house, etc. By the way, Gallardo Elementary in Folsom had the top API score in all of Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties. The score just shows the kids test well. You're living in a community that has a high poverty rate which usually means education isn't regarded as important as surviving daily life.

wow. That is pretty harsh and uncalled for. She was only trying to get opinions of Folsom vs EDH and your response above should be in the "teen" section because it lacks maturity.

[Good2bme]

Here's the deal from somebody who has lived in both Folsom and EDH. You can't go wrong either way and it's highly doubtful that you'll regret whatever decision you make. Decide what's important to you in a home and neighborhood, look at houses and pick the one you like best. They're both nice places and both have their pros and cons.

Just FYI regarding Serrano and the Parkway (Parkway is in Folsom) - note that the HOA dues go to more than just paying for the "priveledge" of living there. In both communities, all front yard maintenance is provided on a weekly basis, extensive walking trails are maintained, community standards are actually enforced, etc. Those things may not hold enough value for you to justify the associated cost, but I figured it was worthwhile to point out that the money actually does go toward things that benefit you directly.