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Moving To Folsom From Bay Area - Lexington Hills, Parkway, Empire Ranc

Lexington Hills Parkway Empire Ranch moving neighborhood

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#16 KerriChanGomez

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Posted 15 April 2016 - 11:12 AM

I know I'm biased, but you cannot beat Folsom... and you don't have to believe me, others agree too.  Take a look at https://wallethub.co...lifornia/15993/ (2015’s Best & Worst Cities for California Families).

 

Regarding your concerns of racism... no place is perfect.  When I look around my neighborhood (Natoma Station) I see many different races.  When I look at the kids playing at my children's school, I see different races playing together, not because they are forced to, but because they are genuinely friends.  I'm a white guy so I may be missing a lot, but to me it seems that here in Folsom financial disparity causes more friction than does racial.

 

Thank you so much! The link you provided was extremely helpful. After seeing all the helpful responses to my question, it's clear that my concern about racial tolerance was unnecessary. I'll add Natoma Station to our home search.



#17 Steve Heard

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Posted 15 April 2016 - 12:23 PM

 

Thank you so much! The link you provided was extremely helpful. After seeing all the helpful responses to my question, it's clear that my concern about racial tolerance was unnecessary. I'll add Natoma Station to our home search.

 

I love this town! 


Steve Heard

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#18 caligirlz

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Posted 15 April 2016 - 12:32 PM

 

I love this town! 

NICE VIDEO STEVE THE DAD :)



#19 Steve Heard

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Posted 15 April 2016 - 05:51 PM

NICE VIDEO STEVE THE DAD :)

Thank you! 


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#20 Homerunner

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Posted 25 June 2016 - 11:48 AM

I know this is late for this topic but I feel it is worth mentioning for anyone also "transplanting" from the Bay Area. It is important to come here with your eyes WIDE OPEN.  Yes, Folsom is a fairly nice and safe place to raise a family.   One thing that is worth noting though is the high rate of turnover every five years or so, be it due to economic downturns, relocations or other reasons.  A lot of people are lured into coming here by the new housing, affordability, etc.,  but then see there are no real jobs, the local economy is poor, or decide they can't really tolerate the weather or for whatever reason, then move on.  I've seen it over and over again over the last few decades, as one of the last hold outs in my neighborhood.  It's also very frustrating to watch your neighbors' houses turn into rentals over and over again, particularly in a fairly affluent area of town.  I recall when I first arrived, a native Folsomite telling me that I should be prepared to move houses about every ten years, because the neighborhoods destabilize quickly, and she was right. Across the board, I have watched the neighborhoods from first development to now, and whether you pay an HOA or not, whether its Empire Ranch, American River Canyon, Lexington Hills, etc,  (only exception appears to be the Parkway), you will experience the same level of gradual decline, i.e.,  this house fine, that house neglected or trashed, etc.,   The City also contributes to the problem in that it devotes all its resources to the area of development du jour (i.e., new development)  and nothing to maintain existing development, infrastructure, landscapes, open spaces, etc.  Very frustrating for what you thought you were investing in..... 



#21 camay2327

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Posted 25 June 2016 - 02:21 PM

There's a 4/5 bedroom home for sale across the street from me. They have had a few open houses.

 

Duncan Way


A VETERAN Whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount "up to and including their life". That is HONOR, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. -Author unknown-

#22 Steve Heard

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Posted 27 June 2016 - 10:41 AM

I know this is late for this topic but I feel it is worth mentioning for anyone also "transplanting" from the Bay Area. It is important to come here with your eyes WIDE OPEN.  Yes, Folsom is a fairly nice and safe place to raise a family.   One thing that is worth noting though is the high rate of turnover every five years or so, be it due to economic downturns, relocations or other reasons.  A lot of people are lured into coming here by the new housing, affordability, etc.,  but then see there are no real jobs, the local economy is poor, or decide they can't really tolerate the weather or for whatever reason, then move on.  I've seen it over and over again over the last few decades, as one of the last hold outs in my neighborhood.  It's also very frustrating to watch your neighbors' houses turn into rentals over and over again, particularly in a fairly affluent area of town.  I recall when I first arrived, a native Folsomite telling me that I should be prepared to move houses about every ten years, because the neighborhoods destabilize quickly, and she was right. Across the board, I have watched the neighborhoods from first development to now, and whether you pay an HOA or not, whether its Empire Ranch, American River Canyon, Lexington Hills, etc,  (only exception appears to be the Parkway), you will experience the same level of gradual decline, i.e.,  this house fine, that house neglected or trashed, etc.,   The City also contributes to the problem in that it devotes all its resources to the area of development du jour (i.e., new development)  and nothing to maintain existing development, infrastructure, landscapes, open spaces, etc.  Very frustrating for what you thought you were investing in..... 

 

With all due respect to your right to an opinion, I mus strongly disagree. 

 

I sell houses and have not seen the high rate of turnover you claim.

 

Folsom has consistently been ranked among the best communities in the nation, including a recent ranking of being the number 2 in the state for job seekers.  Intel employs over 5000, the prison, I believe about 2500, Maxis 600, and in the past year or so, Voxpro moved here with the promise to employ over 1000, SafeCU 250, and I believe the new VSP facility will have about 500 employees. At  the economic summit last year, one of speakers mentioned Folsom as having one of the highest live/work ratios in the state as well. 

 

You say that you've seen lots of turnover over the last few decades and you're one of the last hold-outs? Few decades, as in 30 years? Yes, there will be turnover.

 

I've been in my home for 15 years. My newest neighbor moved in about 10 years ago, one moved in about 12 years ago, and the rest have all been here longer than I have. 2 of them for almost 30 years. 

 

Telling you that Folsom neighborhoods deteriorate every 10 years is silly. Empire Ranch homes are coming up on 15, as is much of Broadstone. In fact, before I moved here, a local agent told me not to move to Broadstone as it was in decline. I don't think there's any reasonable person who would say that Broadstone has declined. In fact, homes sell very quickly there. 

 

Another Folsomite equated home sales with families being 'driven away'.

 

Nope, just the normal home owner cycles. 

 

Zillow posted an article a couple of years ago stating that nationwide from 2003 to 2008, the median number of years a homeowner stayed in their home was 6. Today it is longer, which is probably because home prices had dropped so far between 2008 and 2012.  The lack of inventory in Folsom shows that more people are staying put.

 

While no town is perfect, the notion that people are fleeing after discovering there aren't any real jobs and the economy is poor is one that doesn't hold water.     


Steve Heard

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#23 MikeinFolsom

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Posted 30 June 2016 - 09:28 AM

I think I may side with 2 Aces on this one.  Her questions seem to really center on racial diversity, racism, and homelessness.  Why does it always seem that the people who have the biggest problem with racism seem to be the most racist?  Im not sure the first post I make to a neighborhood forum would be centered on homelessness and race/color/creed.  Not sure, but it sounds to me like she's shopping around for a neighborhood that fits her frame of mind.  Too bad too, Folsom is quite diverse and I've never seen anything remotely that smells of racism.  Last time I checked, it is almost a crime to be a plain white person in SF lately. 



#24 Homerunner

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Posted 30 June 2016 - 09:47 AM

With all due respect to your right to an opinion, I mus strongly disagree. 

 

I sell houses and have not seen the high rate of turnover you claim.

 

Folsom has consistently been ranked among the best communities in the nation, including a recent ranking of being the number 2 in the state for job seekers.  Intel employs over 5000, the prison, I believe about 2500, Maxis 600, and in the past year or so, Voxpro moved here with the promise to employ over 1000, SafeCU 250, and I believe the new VSP facility will have about 500 employees. At  the economic summit last year, one of speakers mentioned Folsom as having one of the highest live/work ratios in the state as well. 

 

You say that you've seen lots of turnover over the last few decades and you're one of the last hold-outs? Few decades, as in 30 years? Yes, there will be turnover.

 

I've been in my home for 15 years. My newest neighbor moved in about 10 years ago, one moved in about 12 years ago, and the rest have all been here longer than I have. 2 of them for almost 30 years. 

 

Telling you that Folsom neighborhoods deteriorate every 10 years is silly. Empire Ranch homes are coming up on 15, as is much of Broadstone. In fact, before I moved here, a local agent told me not to move to Broadstone as it was in decline. I don't think there's any reasonable person who would say that Broadstone has declined. In fact, homes sell very quickly there. 

 

Another Folsomite equated home sales with families being 'driven away'.

 

Nope, just the normal home owner cycles. 

 

Zillow posted an article a couple of years ago stating that nationwide from 2003 to 2008, the median number of years a homeowner stayed in their home was 6. Today it is longer, which is probably because home prices had dropped so far between 2008 and 2012.  The lack of inventory in Folsom shows that more people are staying put.

 

While no town is perfect, the notion that people are fleeing after discovering there aren't any real jobs and the economy is poor is one that doesn't hold water.     

Steve Heard

Folsom Real Estate Specialist

Owner - MyFolsom.com

916 718 9577 

 



#25 Homerunner

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Posted 30 June 2016 - 10:27 AM

With all due respects to you as well, Steve, I believe that your vantagepoint may be a bit biased as a realtor.  It's fairly well known that real estate development and transactions (mostly residential) have driven the economic growth in this region for the last few decades, and any other technology, commerical, industrial or other job growth is pretty minimal and transitory, but fairly talked up.  I find it interesting that almost every one I talk to has a family member who commutes to the Bay Area for work.  

 

Meanwhile, instead of working on true economic development, Folsom, as well as other cities in the region are focusing on squeezing out every inch of land mass into an increased residential tax dollar base.  We all know online ratings of communities are marketing tools and are often bought.  Often inaccurate and extremely misleading.  Also desirable may be for some limited factors for a limited segment of a population.  

 

As for deterioration of our community, I believe there is evidence of it.  Just one example, witness Empire Ranch 15 years ago vs. now.  As an HOA community, it should not have the number of unkempt properties and yards, unkempt city landscapes, etc,, dying yards, boats on the streets, driveways, etc.  Same for American River Canyon.  Just overall not any maintenance standards.  A certain percentage of movement is expected, but Folsom and the region as a whole is unfortunately very transitory.  People come to see what the buzz is all about, the new housing, etc. and then move on.  I know most of my friends and associates did.  Then they can't find work, and move on.  You may have a different experience as a realtor.  Seems there  is always some type of work here for realtors.  I know the few friends I have that are realtors do quite well, and I mean no disrespect by that.  Even in the downturn, they were helping with some type of transaction or other.  



#26 caligirlz

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Posted 30 June 2016 - 01:09 PM

Overall Folsom is very nice. And I love my house for the most part. 

 

I think one notices the fraying edges when walking vs racing by in their car. 

My neighbor on the corner has apparently stopped watering his side strip facing me, and it looks like crap. He doesnt really maintain his front yard either. The guy next to me has an unkempt yard with dying shrubs. The neighbor on the other side of him, a renter just moved & he told me the owner will sell the house, they're painting now. I hope the buyer is someone who has pride of ownership. The neighbors across the street & down have been making upgrades and take care of their home. The neighbors across the street from me have not changed since I've moved in, I had to kick their youngest kids out of my yard this morning. They know it's private property, acknowledged my question, yet, still invade. And, my house needs to be painted.....so, I think we all have priorities and have to choose between this and that. 

 

I'm always amazed when I look at homes for sale pictures online, and see that many houses, including large expensive houses, have sparse furnishings. It's all a choice where you direct your funds. 



#27 Steve Heard

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Posted 30 June 2016 - 02:04 PM

With all due respects to you as well, Steve, I believe that your vantagepoint may be a bit biased as a realtor.  It's fairly well known that real estate development and transactions (mostly residential) have driven the economic growth in this region for the last few decades, and any other technology, commerical, industrial or other job growth is pretty minimal and transitory, but fairly talked up.  I find it interesting that almost every one I talk to has a family member who commutes to the Bay Area for work.  

 

Meanwhile, instead of working on true economic development, Folsom, as well as other cities in the region are focusing on squeezing out every inch of land mass into an increased residential tax dollar base.  We all know online ratings of communities are marketing tools and are often bought.  Often inaccurate and extremely misleading.  Also desirable may be for some limited factors for a limited segment of a population.  

 

As for deterioration of our community, I believe there is evidence of it.  Just one example, witness Empire Ranch 15 years ago vs. now.  As an HOA community, it should not have the number of unkempt properties and yards, unkempt city landscapes, etc,, dying yards, boats on the streets, driveways, etc.  Same for American River Canyon.  Just overall not any maintenance standards.  A certain percentage of movement is expected, but Folsom and the region as a whole is unfortunately very transitory.  People come to see what the buzz is all about, the new housing, etc. and then move on.  I know most of my friends and associates did.  Then they can't find work, and move on.  You may have a different experience as a realtor.  Seems there  is always some type of work here for realtors.  I know the few friends I have that are realtors do quite well, and I mean no disrespect by that.  Even in the downturn, they were helping with some type of transaction or other.  

 

This is a great discussion! As one who does his best to get friends, family and strangers to come up here from the Bay Area, I certainly do market the positives. It's just like the San Francisco Convention and Visitor's Bureau showing the Golden Gate Bridge and Cable Cars, and not the homeless sleeping on the sidewalk or the smash and grab auto burglaries (over 25,000 per year). Or look at Disneyland commercials, with people smiling and laughing and enjoying the rides. They don't show mention the enormous crowds, hour long waits for rides, or ridiculous prices.

 

In the case of Folsom, however, I genuinely believe in the town, and I see the data.  Organizations such as Money Magazine, Nerdwallet, and others sell their rankings to the highest bidder, but should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

Regardless, Folsom has the lowest unemployment in the region, about 2000 new jobs from the new companies coming to town, including SafeCU which left and has returned.

 

I know people who live here and work in the Bay Area as well. Most of them aren't people who moved here and couldn't find work. They are people who have good jobs in the Bay Area but can't afford a house there, so they buy here and commute. I'm sure if they had better offers here, they might take them.  That is slowly happening. 

 

As for Realtors, a good, professional one will survive in any market, but having less inventory to sell is a problem here in Folsom. People are staying put, not leaving.

 

Today, there are 153 homes on the market in Folsom. Last year at this time, 184. In may 114 were on the market, compared to 164 the same month of 2015.     

 

Poorly enforced HOA rules are not a reflection of the community, nor are they under the purview of the City. 

 

Compare Folsom to Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, or most other communities in the region, and you will see we have the highest price per square foot, low inventory, strong job growth, great schools and low crime. Those are things that attract and keep people.  

 

Yes, people come and go, but that happens everywhere.  

 

 

 

 

I'm always amazed when I look at homes for sale pictures online, and see that many houses, including large expensive houses, have sparse furnishings. It's all a choice where you direct your funds. 

 

One of the things we try to do is have our clients de-clutter their homes. I have them rent storage facilities to store their excess furnishings while showing. Also, it is fairly common to stage photos by moving furniture out of sight just for the photos.

 

As for the big houses, it is common to find empty rooms. I know people with 4000 sq ft homes with empty rooms they never got around to furnishing, as they had no need. 


Steve Heard

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Owner - MyFolsom.com

916 718 9577 


#28 Homerunner

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Posted 01 July 2016 - 09:11 AM

Steve - Posted a reply - but it froze me out.  Don't want to try to rewrite it - taking my toys and going home.  With all due respect, we can agree to disagree on this one.   :BURNOUT:



#29 Steve Heard

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Posted 01 July 2016 - 10:00 AM

Steve - Posted a reply - but it froze me out.  Don't want to try to rewrite it - taking my toys and going home.  With all due respect, we can agree to disagree on this one.   :BURNOUT:

 

Sounds good. We all have our own perspectives, shaped by our experiences. 


Steve Heard

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Owner - MyFolsom.com

916 718 9577 






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