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**](https://www.niche.com/k12/folsom-high-school-folsom-ca/?map)  and [**Vista Del Lago High School**](https://www.niche.com/k12/vista-del-lago-high-school-folsom-ca/) 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. 


The Schools

The Best Thing About Folsom?

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. 


Keeping Up With The Jones

The Worst Thing About Folsom?

Folsom has a very popular [**Historic District**](https://www.historicfolsom.org/) 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**](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=500), 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**](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/greatrides/folsom/)  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.

Outdoor Play

Lifestyle of Folsom

Folsom is part of the [**Folsom-Cordova School District**](https://www.fcusd.org/) and as was noted it is an excellent school system, rating an A on [**niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/folsom-cordova-unified-school-district-ca/). 

What’s nice about the schools is that they’re all A rated so you can’t do wrong in picking a neighborhood. Folsom also has plenty of [**private/religious options**](https://www.greatschools.org/california/folsom/schools/?st%5B%5D=private) that are well reviewed but dang, these public schools are top notch.

All A's

Schools of Folsom

If you live in one of the major cities in the Bay Area then it is very likely you struggle with 1) Housing Prices 2) Public Education 3) Common big city struggles. While we love big cities we’re also sympathetic with these struggles and Folsom is a panacea for many of them. Housing is cheaper (albeit expensive relative to some neighboring cities), the school system is kick-ass and finally you’re going to eject a lot of the struggles many try to escape by leaving SF/Oakland/Berkeley etc. If you’re ready to hit the road and head east then Folsom is a great option.  

A Break From The Bay

Why You Should Move Here Now?

[**The Parkway**](https://parkwayhoa.connectresident.com/) is the picture of suburban, master-planned community bliss. It has 3 fun and active multi-use parks, the sidewalks are busy with families out walking their dogs and the kiddos are always playing in the well-manicured yards (many homes with pools).
The community features 240 acres of open space, and 15 miles of nature trails, all guarded by private security so families feel incredibly safe raising their children here. Median home prices are a bit high at $750k+ but again, if you’re coming from the Bay Area these prices are still a bargain. 


Families

The Parkway

Briggs Ranch is a master-planned community that is dreamy for the most outdoorsy families. It’s walking distance to [**Folsom Lake, Folsom Point**](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=500), & [**BT Collins Park**](https://www.folsom.ca.us/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/53/) so whether your tastes run to getting out on the water or onto the trails you’ll find it here. The blocks are much loved for the rolling hill topography which for a master-planned neighborhood can be quite rare.  The neighborhood is also well known for the massive oak trees that line the blocks and yards. Median home prices run up above $800k but for families that crave raising their kiddos amidst the water and hills it’s an ideal neighborhood. 


Briggs Ranch

We talked about home prices being more reasonable in Folsom than the big cities but Hillcrest is the high-end community that defies that description. The median home price is $1.5m so this is a legit luxury community. Hillcrest sits in the popular Empire Ridge area and comes with miles of nature trails, tons of parks and play areas, private security and the topper – the 18-hole [**Empire Ranch golf club**](https://www.empireranchgolfclub.com/). 
Hillcrest is also incredibly convenient with the wonderful [**Palladio Shopping Center**](https://gopalladio.com/) and the excellent [**Vista Del Lago High School**](https://www.fcusd.org/vdlhs) walking and biking distance for you and the kiddos. 


Hillcrest

Broadstone is the largest and one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Folsom with a median price of ~$630k but also has homes in the $400k-$500k range . It has tons of the same amenities as the fancier spots, including miles of walking trails, great multi-use parks, including [**Livermore Community Park**](https://www.folsom.ca.us/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/81/), with a Football Field, Lacrosse Field, Sand Volleyball, Soccer, Softball and tons and tons of open space for general play. The neighborhood is also home to [**Broadstone Sports Club**(https://www.sparetimesportsclubs.com/clubs/broadstone/), a multi-use community sports space with Olympic-size pools and wonderful exercise and group sports facilities. 


Broadstone

Folsom

**Moving to Folsom**
**Hi there! I'm planning on moving my family (myself, my partner and two children under five) to the Folsom/Roseville/Rocklin area this summer from Orange County. Any suggestions on the best parts of Folsom to live in/best apartments for a family of four? I appreciate any and all advice!**

You pretty much can’t go wrong anywhere in Folsom. The schools are great. My wife’s family has been here since the 90s and I moved here in 2016. Now that we have a kid that’s almost two we bought a home for ourselves (37) this year.

I moved here from Florida, and what I didn’t expect or even know was a thing was the vibe I get from the whole of Northern California. It feels special to me. The Sacramento metropolitan area is within driving distance of a lot of cool places to visit. I’ve done a day trip to Yosemite, though I don’t recommend it.

**Considering buying a home in Folsom or Elk Grove. Help me decide.**

I live in Folsom. It’s fantastic and everyone has mentioned the reasons so I’ll share what I don’t like about it…

It really has a “keeping up with the Joneses” culture which makes it expensive to live here. Like, if you can’t afford to put your kids in all the activities and go to Broadstone Sports Club, you might feel left out in some circles (this is obviously based on my own experience).

It’s also very expensive. I’m renting and waiting for the housing market to do something but it isn’t budging too much here in Folsom. Also most of the houses here barely have a yard.

On top of that, this is the land of HOAs. Some people love this but I like neighborhoods that have more character than stucco. HOAs are also annoying. It’s like having an adult hall monitor in your neighborhood.

**Should I move to the Folsom area?**


What do you like to do for fun? Because Folsom is very familiar oriented. You said you’re single with no kids, you could potentially find yourself very bored a lot of the time here.

If you’re into the outdoors and such, it’s a great place. As far as more liberal goes, I’d say Folsom is almost right in the middle, but everyone here is also very friendly. I’ve never felt any issues with someone’s political affiliation here but personally, I also don’t give a shit what you are, as long as you’re not an asshole.

Wildfire smoke is an issue, but that’s the case anywhere in CA. Can’t predict how that’s going to go each summer. Last summer, we had none, tue couple before that, it was awful.

Just some things to think about!

Folsom is a great location for you! It's close to Sac for all the big city stuff and not to far from Lake Tahoe (if you want a gorgeous outdoors escape) and there are a few big casinos scattered around the area.

Folsom, California

Hangtown

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