Elk Grove is a pure suburb. The city is working hard to correct some of the blandness of that experience but in the meantime doing what suburbs do best - providing families with “affordable” housing, kid-friendly blocks, and really good public schools. We qualify the idea of affordability because this is California and the Sacramento area blew up during the pandemic as Bay Area residents moved here in droves.

Pretty much everyone understands the drawbacks of traditional suburbs for social experiences but we’re still going to hammer Elk Grove for not being quick enough to build out a bigger commercial district. Residents need more to do when they don’t feel like driving into Sacramento and they're going to get it. Hooray!!!

There is a section of town called Old Town, a charming little area with a handful of restaurants/pubs but they need commercial development here stat. A recently approved mixed-use project known as [Elk Grove Railroad Courtyards](http://www.egcitizen.com/news/planning-commission-approves-mixed-use-project-for-old-town-eg/article_a7c4c8da-d301-11ec-9b00-076d0f1805a6.html  ) will help. 

Raising A Family

LookyLOO Review of Elk Grove?

Whatever you imagine the lifestyle of a traditional suburb, the good and the bad, is available in Elk Grove. Lots of families put their kids through school here, save for college, do little league-type sports, commute to jobs in Sacramento, and just try to live the American dream in a crazily expensive state. 

The huge bonus you get in Elk Grove is sunshine nearly every day of the year and a less than two-hour drive to Lake Tahoe to the east and San Francisco to the west. If you’re up for the drive it is an amazing place for an outdoor lifestyle. You’re in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range so when you are up for getting the kiddos out of the suburbs the wilderness is close. 

Check out the [calendar of events](https://www.elkgrovecity.org/all-events) for Elk Grove. 

We highly recommend visiting Elk Grove and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel in Sacramento or somewhere a few miles away to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


 Lifestyle 

There is no business district within the city limits of Elk Grove. Which means you either work from home or you’re doing the 15+ mile commute into Sacramento. That doesn’t sound like much but traffic is brutal so be ready for that. There are legends of super-commuters who make the hike into San Francisco from this area but seriously that is not a life. 


Worklife 

The development plans for Old Town make us think there is hope for Elk Grove becoming a more hospitable social experience to go along with its benefits as a traditional suburb. Suburban cities that have a more interesting commercial district are all the rage and if you want to get in on the ground floor before Elk Grove makes progress in that direction come check it out. 

Hope/Progress

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**LowParticular8153**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Elk Grove has highly rated schools. Libraries are decent and plans to expand for a larger library. Plenty of chain restaurants good for families. Our parks, 103 of them and growing are amazing. District 56 is the community center and has the Aquatic center next to it. Parks and Recreation have some really great programs too.

A few times a year the city and CSD- parks and recreation put on events that are family friendly. Diversity, Multicultural festival Pumpkin Festival in October December 1st Saturday at District 56 tree lighting- a metal holiday tree that I like. We have some nice trails for families to walk and bike on.

Another activity is every few weeks a group, Elk Grove Anti Trash goes to different areas where litter and illegal dumping occurs. Many families participate in this activity on Saturday morning. Adults: There are some nice wineries around that often have live entertainment. In July there is Strauss Festival.

For more reviews of what living in Elk Grove is like from locals, check out [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/elk-grove/reviews).

Reviews of Elk Grove from Locals

Laguna West is an upscale neighborhood that families in Elk Grove love. It has three different communities, all with different amenities; soccer fields, parks, waterways, fishing, beautiful walks, newer big homes and excellent public schools. If you pick the Stone Lake community you also get a country club-like community center with a pool, events center, courts and more. 

Another nice option is Foulks Ranch. It's a pedestrian and bike-friendly area and is home to Kloss Park, a 22-acre oasis of play for the kiddos with tons of playgrounds, ball fields and after-school and summer camp offerings. 
- Laguna West
- Foulks Ranch


Families

Laguna West

Elk Grove has perfect weather for retirees. The cost of living is pricier than Arizona or Nevada but if you can make the money work the climate and living options are friendly. Outside traditional housing (lots of master-bedrooms on the first floor) there are great retirement communities like The Park at Laguna Springs. 

The Park is more campus than retirement home and like a campus it's pretty much a self-contained city. It has housing options for every taste, independent living or assisted/memory Care, first-class food, fitness facility, movie theater, full-time housekeeping staff, fitness coaching and just about everything else you can think of. 
- The Park at Laguna Springs
- WellQuest of Elk Grove

Retirees

The Park at Laguna Springs

Elk Grove

**LowParticular8153**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Elk Grove has highly rated schools. Libraries are decent and plans to expand for a larger library. Plenty of chain restaurants good for families. Our parks, 103 of them and growing are amazing. District 56 is the community center and has the Aquatic center next to it. Parks and Recreation have some really great programs too.

A few times a year the city and CSD- parks and recreation put on events that are family friendly.

Diversity, Multicultural festival Pumpkin Festival in October December 1st Saturday at District 56 tree lighting- a metal holiday tree that I like.

We have some nice trails for families to walk and bike on.

Another activity is every few weeks a group, Elk Grove Anti Trash goes to different areas where litter and illegal dumping occurs. Many families participate in this activity on Saturday morning.

Adults: There are some nice wineries around that often have live entertainment. In July there is Strauss Festival.

**Smokedeggs**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

In my opinion, yes. Elk Grove is great for my family and I. There are so many parks within walking distance. My boys are 3 and 5 and they love walking through the many trails in the town. There are good food options, lots of chain restaurants. Traffic is not bad and my neighbors are so nice.

Also, a zoo may be opening in Elk Grove in the future. I don’t remember if plans have been approved or not. But Sacramento Zoo isn’t too far away.

**hit_it_steve**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

The good about Elk Grove: good schools, lots of parks, and close to downtown. The less than good: becoming very crowded due to the the recent growth and very competitive housing market. 700k should get you what you need, but the issue may be finding the house for your family size. We’ve been looking off and on for three years and every listing gets multiple offers and goes above asking. Best of luck! Natomas has nice areas too so definitely keep your options open! Folsom and Roseville are also great to consider, albeit a bit further from Natomas.

**Significant_Pin_4867**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Very diverse, good food but not as good as the bay, great schools. Traffic can get bad but honestly compared to the bay it’s nothing. Do you plan to work in the bay? Weather, gets hot in the summer (100’s) and cold in the winter (30-40’s). SF is always cold so that will be a big difference for you guys. Lots of options for recreational sports in the area. Mostly very quite neighborhoods (i live behind the costco)

Elk Grove, California

Gold Country

Looklyloo Score: 88

Reviews

What's it like to live in Elk Grove?