18 replies to this topic

[DengG]

Hi all. My husband is retiring from Fed Service, and we're moving from an Embassy in Asia to settle down in Folsom. Kids grown and out, so its just the two of us, looking for a quiet unfurnished rental in a gated/secure neighborhood. Anywhere in the Folsom area would satisfy our objective. We're wondering where to start the hunt for a good rental in which we can get "acclimatized" to the Folsom area before making a house purchase decision. We're both runners (a bit slower these days, but runners nonetheless!) so would like access to an off-road trail. Any advice to help us get started.

Thanks for your time; we look forward to living in Folsom and meeting some of y'all.

Aloha,

Deng and Bill

[Chad Vander Veen]

Is gated absolutely mandatory?

[DengG]

Gated is preferred; we've visited Folsom before and note that it seems like a fairly safe area, but coming from years of living with an Embassy guard in front of our house, we'd prefer the added security of a gated community. Thanks for the reply.

[ducky]

Is gated absolutely mandatory?

I was wondering that, too. Parkway isn't gated, but they do have security patrols and it's near trails. Pretty nice neighborhood.
Briggs Ranch doesn't have security patrols, but it is near the lake trails as well as trails that lead to the river and Lake Natoma.

There is a gated community off of Black Diamond, which is also near the trails around Lake Natoma.

Added: There's also Diamond Glen off of Sibley St. that is gated and a 55+ adult active community - not sure they will have many rentals.

There's the Madrone gated community off of Empire Ranch and Iron Point. There's an ad on hotpads.com for 1300 Moon Circle, #1326. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath renting for $1,295. I'm not familiar with Empire Ranch and the trails. It's farther from the lake and river.

Hopefully, Steve chimes in. He has good info on these things.

Happy running

[DengG]

Hey, that is great information to get us started, need to do a bit more detailed research. Thanks so much for (Iron) pointing us to the start line! Mahalo.

[nomad]

Gated is preferred; we've visited Folsom before and note that it seems like a fairly safe area, but coming from years of living with an Embassy guard in front of our house, we'd prefer the added security of a gated community. Thanks for the reply.

You should be able to find plenty of gated communities but there won't be any embassy guards there to stop the high school kids who share the codes or the pizza guys who know them all. Not trying to scare you but just because it has a gate doesn't mean it's secure!

[folsom500]

Wood Bridge on Black Diamond and Diamond Glen are two nice places with smaller homes 2-3 bedroom at 1035 - 1500 sq ft on very small lots 2300 sq feet or so. They both have a number of rentals in them. Not sure where to look them up but might check them out.

They both have HOA dues and limit parking especially overnight. I know Woodbridge has two car garages but not sure about Diamond glen.

Ignore Nomad - he is always trying to create issues that do not really exist...

[Steve Heard]

Hey Deng - Welcome to myfolsom!

As stated by others, there aren't many gated communities in town. Diamond Glen is 55+, Woodbridge and Bentley Square have single-family homes. Bentley actually has a 1000 sq ft, 2 bedroom model that might be convenient.

There are several condo complexes with gates, including Madrone, Altura and Vessona.

As for rentals, there really isn't a central clearing house for them. Craigslist is by far the most popular place to start looking, though you might also check with some of the property management companies like Home Run or KTB.

Note that as with the resale housing market, the rental market is very tight right now, but somebody's got to win, so it might be you.

By the way, you work for an Embassy? I know it's a big world, but I wonder if you know my cousin retired Ambassador Maurice Parker?

Anyway, if you need any more info about Folsom, events, trails (I run and bike the trails her frequently) or anything else, let me (or us) know. We're a pretty nice bunch when not fighting over politics!

[nomad]

Ignore Nomad - he is always trying to create issues that do not really exist...

Really? Ask the folks that live in Sorrano!

[Steve Heard]

You should be able to find plenty of gated communities but there won't be any embassy guards there to stop the high school kids who share the codes or the pizza guys who know them all. Not trying to scare you but just because it has a gate doesn't mean it's secure!

Nothing is 100% secure, but having a gate can be a deterrent and in general, I think people who live in gated communities are often more security minded and may be more watchful of each others' properties.

[ducky]

Really? Ask the folks that live in Sorrano!

Even without the gates, I bet there's all kinds of video surveillance in that place.

I think the cost of utilities would be more of an issue for living in Serrano than security.

[DengG]

Wood Bridge on Black Diamond and Diamond Glen are two nice places with smaller homes 2-3 bedroom at 1035 - 1500 sq ft on very small lots 2300 sq feet or so. They both have a number of rentals in them. Not sure where to look them up but might check them out.

They both have HOA dues and limit parking especially overnight. I know Woodbridge has two car garages but not sure about Diamond glen.

Ignore Nomad - he is always trying to create issues that do not really exist...

Thanks, that gives us a list to work from - we saw some places in these areas on Craigslist, but wonder if dealing thru Craiglist is reliable?

[DengG]

Nothing is 100% secure, but having a gate can be a deterrent and in general, I think people who live in gated communities are often more security minded and may be more watchful of each others' properties.

Thanks. The gate may be 100% secure, but it gives me a psychological edge (or false security) just knowing there's a gate. Do we need to buy a gun, semi-automatic?

[DougP]

Even without the gates, I bet there's all kinds of video surveillance in that place.

I think the cost of utilities would be more of an issue for living in Serrano than security.

Blackstone (south of highway 50 in El Dorado Hills) has several gated neighborhoods -- without the high utility costs of Serrano due to the integrated solar panels that nearly every home has.

[caligirlz]

looking for a quiet unfurnished rental in a gated/secure neighborhood. Anywhere in the Folsom area would satisfy our objective. We're wondering where to start the hunt for a good rental in which we can get "acclimatized" to the Folsom area before making a house purchase decision. We're both runners (a bit slower these days, but runners nonetheless!) so would like access to an off-road trail.

Would a gated apartment community be ok?
The only problem with apartments is that they aren't necessarily quiet, but they can be a good starting place. I think the only gated complex is Iron Point at Prairie Oaks. It's fairly nice for apartments. I lived there for a year until I bought. I can't remember, but these may also be gated: Lake Pointe and Folsom Ranch.

I believe there are gated apartment complexes in El Dorado Hills also...off latrobe, behind Town Center. I think it's called the Vineyards at Valley View.