Your guide to moving to the Sacramento suburbs
Our free relocation guide to Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Folsom and El Dorado Hills.
Who this guide is for
This Sacramento suburbs relocation guide is for anyone planning a move into the region, especially from out of state or the Bay Area, who wants to understand the cities, the homes and the buying process before committing to anything. Your full 21-page guide is ready to download on this page; this online edition walks through the steps and the mistakes we see most often.
It comes from Living In Northern California, a Realty of America team led by Rose and Steven Gonzales. We moved from the Bay Area to Rocklin ourselves in 2021, and relocation and new construction are now the center of our business.
Why people choose the Sacramento suburbs
The suburbs around Sacramento offer modern homes at a fraction of Bay Area prices, master-planned communities built around parks and trails, and a central location: about two hours to San Francisco, about two hours to Lake Tahoe and about an hour and a half to Napa Valley. Sacramento is a hub for government, healthcare and education jobs, and many remote workers choose the suburbs for room to work from home.
Each city works differently. Roseville is the shopping and new-construction hub of Placer County, Rocklin is quieter and hillier, Lincoln offers more space, Folsom pairs lakes with a historic downtown, El Dorado Hills has larger foothill lots, and Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova offer central locations and active new construction.
The relocation buying process, step by step
- Talk with us first. A Zoom discovery call covers your job, start date, budget and how you want to live, before you tour anything.
- Get pre-approved. Knowing your real range shapes which cities and communities make sense, and lets you compare builder financing with an outside lender.
- Shortlist two or three cities. We compare commutes to your workplace, school district boundaries, Mello-Roos, HOA dues and utilities.
- Tour remotely, then in person if you can. We tour homes and model homes by live video and plan an efficient trip when you can make one.
- Register correctly with builders. If new construction is on your list, your agent needs to be with you on your first visit to each builder.
- Make an offer or choose your home and lot. We negotiate price, repairs or builder incentives on your behalf.
- Inspect, finance and close. We track every deadline and coordinate with your lender, escrow and, if you are selling, your other transaction.
What builders are offering, and why you want your own agent
New construction is growing across West Roseville, Folsom Ranch, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova and Lincoln, and builders compete for buyers with real incentives: interest rate buydowns that lower your monthly payment, help with closing costs, design and upgrade credits, and quick move-in homes that are ready in weeks rather than months. Incentives change month to month and vary by builder and community.
The sales team in the model home works for the builder, not for you. Your own agent represents you, and how your agent is paid is set out in a written agreement before you begin. We know the builder sales offices across the region and negotiate on your behalf. Learn more about buying new construction with our team.
Mistakes to avoid when relocating
- Visiting a model home alone. Registering without your agent can prevent us from representing you on that home later.
- Comparing list prices instead of monthly costs. Mello-Roos, HOA dues and utilities can change the monthly payment of two similar homes significantly.
- Choosing a city before checking the commute. Drive or map your route at the hour you will actually travel it.
- Assuming school assignments follow city lines. Confirm the assigned schools for each specific address with the district.
- Underestimating summer. The valley is hot, so air conditioning, shade and the direction a backyard faces matter more than you might expect.
How we help, and your next step
We plan every move around your timeline, tour on your behalf, negotiate with builders and sellers, and coordinate the sale of your departing home when you have one. Our clients rate us 5.0 stars on Zillow, and we help with both resale homes and new construction.
Your next step is a short conversation. Contact us or call or text (925) 922-3901 to book a call, and read our Moving to Sacramento guide while you plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are the Sacramento suburbs from San Francisco and Lake Tahoe?
About two hours to San Francisco and about two hours to Lake Tahoe, with Napa Valley about an hour and a half away.
Does having my own agent cost more on new construction?
How your agent is paid, and by whom, is set out in a written agreement before you begin, and we walk you through it on our first call. Builders often work with buyers' agents, so ask us how it works for the communities you are considering.
Can I buy a home before I move?
Yes. We tour by live video, register you correctly with builders and plan an in-person trip when you can make one.
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Ready to make your move with Living In Northern California?