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Zoey Howard housing

Rent vs buy in El Dorado Hills -what makes sense?

Hello, I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $2,468 for rent here. Homes are going for about $870,300 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Has anyone dealt with this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
11 upvotes

11 Replies

savannah_dude
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Jeremiah Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options

Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options

Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.

Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Allison T.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good

The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Cora
wish I knew this sooner
33 upvotes
Grace King
I'm a teacher and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Maverick C.
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Daniel Patel
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
27 upvotes
Peyton Perez
I've lived in Eastside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is improving

The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Amelia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Greenfield for 1 years. Moved from Dallas for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Aaron Reyes
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Zoe Evans
Totally agree!
11 upvotes
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