Folsom, California

This is a tough call as Folsom has a lot going for it including an amazing outdoor culture with tons of bike trails, direct access to Folsom Lake and just a short drive to Lake Tahoe. However, we have to give the nod to the A rated school system, particularly when Folsom High and Vista Del Lago High School jump up to an A+ rating on niche.com. There are other cities in the area with a hardcore outdoor culture but these schools, particularly at the high school level are really top of the class and a big draw for families moving to the area.

For families moving to the area from San Francisco or Berkeley or Los Angeles this issue might seem silly given the significantly lower cost of housing in Folsom relative to those pricier cities. Nonetheless, Folsom has a reputation for being a “fancier” town than its neighbors and there is a sense you have to keep up with the spending to feel good about living here. Plenty of locals protest this reputation and recommend moving here and just ignoring it but just know ahead of time that there is a bit of a more upscale vibe to the city.

Folsom has a very popular Historic District that pulls in tourists and locals looking for a meal and a drink. Folsom is more suburb than city though so much of the lifestyle revolves around families getting their kids to school, participating in tons of sports and extracurricular activities, and doing lots of stuff with their neighbors in very tight-knit neighborhoods. Nightlife and culture for most comes from driving the 30 mins to downtown Sacramento. That’s where the best restaurants, theater (we mean performing arts theater) and museums reside. A night out for a burger and a beer works just fine in Folsom. Want something more highbrow and you’re making that drive.

The real lifestyle is about the outdoor experiences in and near
Folsom. The city sits on Folsom Lake, a beautiful reservoir with beaches, boating, fishing and pretty much everything else you can do on the water (except surfing). Folsom also has one of the best Northern California bike trail systems so if that’s your thing you’ll love it here. Finally you’re just and hour and 20 mins from Lake Tahoe so skiing/snowboarding and all the snow you could ever want is a short drive from home.