🚀 go-pugleaf

Lawrence Segal (am879@FreeNet.Carleton.CA) wrote:

	(edited)
: 1.  What is the rough population of Sacramento?

	It's probably around 350,000, but is surrounded by many smaller 
cities, bringing the regional pop. level much higher - perhaps closer to 
600,000.

: 2.  How expensive is real estate in Sacramento, as compared
: with SF or LA?  How much would a two BR condo cost, for
: example (price range).  How much would it cost to rent a
: 2 BR apartment (price range)?

	Of course, this depends on where you want to live - downtown, 
suburbs, etc. Can't find section of paper with condo prices, but rentals 
downtown for 2BR apt. seem to start around $350 & go up from there. 

: 3.  What sort of cultural facilities exist in Sacramento?
: For example, concert halls, live theater, art galleries,
: museums, etc....

	Sacramento Symphony (pretty good second-tier), Sac. Ballet 
(limited season), Sac. Opera (4 perf. a year, and they import the 
headliners), pretty good summer theater, Music Circus - imported 
headliners, again, fair range of play types. Some year-round theater. 
Rather traditional range of concerts throughout year - R. Whittaker to D. 
Bowie. Good small theater nearby in Davis gets R. Thompson & good Celtic 
groups. City art gallery, the Crocker, is improving. Private galleries 
seem very active, lively & growing arts community, also active live music 
community w/blues, jazz, pop, rock.

: 4.  What's the overall quality of life like?  For example,
: traffic congestion, pollution (air or water), crime rate,
: attractiveness of the city, parks etc...

	Region is growing quickly, with some attendant problems. Traffic 
is getting more difficult, yet there's some attempt to build in mass 
transit (light rail system), and much opportunity to use bikes for 
transportation. Water's good, air's variable. Crime rate...depends where 
you live. Is perceived to be worse than it actually is, IMHO. Lots of 
parks, lots of trees.

: 5.  What are the best/worst things about Sacramento, in 
: your opinion?

	Best thing about Sac. is a 28-mi. bike trail along the American
River; worst thing is lack of local gov't. willingness to protect existing
conditions contributing to a good quality of life during period of rapid
growth & development.
	Other nice items - 2 local rivers, excellent skiing, hiking, 
other outdoor activities nearby. Growing number of good restaurants, 
growing diversity in local population.
	Another less-than-nice thing - growing gang activity among various
ethnic groups. 

	Overall, Sac.'s a pretty good place to live - one reason the
region's growing fairly quickly. Weather's definitely a plus.