Living in Sacramento? California’s capital city has a lot to offer young adults, thanks to its affordable housing, incredible restaurants and breweries, and variety of fun local events and activities. Check out Sactown’s best neighborhoods for singles and young professionals!
Downtown Sacramento
Photo via @800jlofts
- Home Price: $290,400 median purchase price; $876 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 71% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Home to beautiful Capitol Park and bustling Downtown Commons, Downtown Sacramento is one of the best neighborhoods for young professionals. Those seeking a vibrant nightlife scene, along with close proximity to jobs and easy access to all parts of the city via the Sacramento RT Light Rail, will love living in Downtown Sac! Near the Sacramento River waterfront, this part of the city has it all—bars, restaurants, shops, and 47 acres of urban park space perfect for outdoor recreation and socializing. Residents living in this popular Sacramento neighborhood can settle down in a modern apartment, trendy condo, or historical Victorian home and enjoy incredible skyline views of the city.
Things to Do in Downtown Sacramento
Learn about California’s Gold Rush history or tour one of the largest international ceramics collections in the U.S. at Crocker Art Museum. Cheer on the Sacramento Kings (NBA) or watch your favorite musical artists—like Lizzo, John Mayer, and Blink-182—perform at Golden 1 Center. Rock out to live music from top artists or attend DJ Nights at Ace of Spades. Watch professional mermaids perform underwater while you drink classic cocktails at cleverly-named Dive Bar. Delight your tastebuds with Mocha Pancakes or Berry French Toast for brunch—or attend Dinner & Drag at Capitol Garage, a great restaurant in Downtown Sacramento. Build your own Seafood In A Bag and try the Crispy Pot Stickers or Lobster Roll & Fries at Station 16. Try elevated farm-to-fork dishes like the Almond Wood Grilled Lamb, Truffled Mushroom Risotto, and Pan Roasted King Salmon at Ella Dining Room and Bar. Or, if you’re hitting up the Downtown Sacramento bars, play classic arcade games while enjoying signature Power Punch booze pouches and Donatello or Chicken Taco pizzas at Coin-Op Game Room.
East Sacramento
Photo via @retroroot
- Home Price: $442,192 median purchase price; $1,156 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 87% of Sacramento neighborhoods
With quick access to urban amenities like fun Sacramento nightclubs and eclectic restaurants, East Sacramento offers everything young adults could want. Not only is it one of the safest neighborhoods in Sacramento, but it’s also highly walkable with hip coffee shops, boutiques, and lots of green spaces just minutes away. Plus, this neighborhood is up near Sacramento State University, so young professionals wanting to continue their education or work for the university won’t have to go far! When you become part of the close-knit East Sac community, you’ll be able to choose from spacious Tudor, Craftsman, and Colonial-style homes. Neighbors even gather for annual community events like Taste of East Sacramento, Pops in the Park, and Sacramento Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale!
Things to Do in East Sacramento
Stop to smell the roses and admire the views at 1.5-acre McKinley Rose Garden. Shop for fresh, locally-sourced honey, bee pollen, handmade beeswax candles, and more at The Bee Box. Jog around or kayak on the American River, play a pick-up game of bocce ball, or enjoy the skate park at Sutter’s Landing Park. Take some time to relax with a Dynamic Flow class or challenge yourself to a Vinyasa class at One Flow Yoga. Start your morning with an Iced Matcha Latte, Nitro Coffee, or a piece of Almond Butter Toast at hip coffee shop Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters. Try the Butterfinger Toasties, The Gold River Omelette, and over 50+ different flavor combinations of mimosas at The Mimosa House. Enjoy the 72-hour Short Rib or Gnocchi Alla Romana with Carrot Cake Budino for dessert at Allora Italian Restaurant. Or drop by for happy hour and sip a variety of rotating beers like the Salty Crew Blonde Ale, Spring Planting Lager, or Weekend Vibes IPA at dog-friendly garage bar SacYard Community Tap House.
Land Park
Photo via @digs_and_dwellings
- Home Price: $456,717 median purchase price; $1,278 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Land Park is one of the best places to live in Sacramento for young adults, thanks in part to its bountiful green spaces and close proximity to Sacramento City College. Housing options range from quaint cottages and Tudor homes, to trendy condos and apartments for renters seeking a budget-friendly alternative. This Sacramento neighborhood also has a tight-knit community association, so you’ll be able to meet your neighbors at events like Taste of Land Park, Land Park Farmers Market, block parties, and more! Young professionals and singles moving to Sacramento will also enjoy Land Park’s bike-friendly streets and variety of dining and entertainment options.
Things to Do in Land Park
Attend a Happy Hour event with food trucks and live music, get up close with snow leopards and red pandas, or feed the giraffes with friends at the Sacramento Zoo. Practice your swing or tee off for nine holes at scenic William Land Golf Course—or play a game of soccer or softball, have a barbecue picnic, or walk around the lake with your furry friend at William Land Regional Park. Enjoy peaceful fountains, flowers, and trees on the outdoor patio while indulging in some of the best brunch in Sacramento with Famous French Toast, Huevos Rancheros, or Madame Cristo at the eclectic Tower Cafe. Get a dollar off Deep Fried Brussels, Big Daddy Nachos, or Dad’s Hot Wings during happy hour at Dad’s Kitchen. Try the Piggy Fries and Spicy Aloha Burger while sipping on a Pomegranate Margarita at Meet & Eat. Sink your teeth into Broccolini, Tova Pizza, or Arugula Pasta at Masullo. Or enjoy pastries like the Toasted Coconut Cake, Banana Cream Pie, and Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting at Freeport Bakery.
Midtown
- Home Price: $288,880 median purchase price; $805 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 0% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Looking for easy access to Sacramento nightlife with a quiet and peaceful neighborhood to come home to? Midtown, Sacramento may be your next landing spot! This Sac neighborhood is an eccentric hub for arts and culture, home to the city’s Lavender Heights gay district, and a hit with singles and young professionals due to its prime location and affordable living. Whether you’re looking for short-term living or in the market to purchase a home in Sacramento, Midtown provides loads of options—you’ll find a number of affordable apartments, townhomes, cottages, and condos, as well as plenty Queen Anne and Victorian homes. Residents are also surrounded by some of the best art studios and galleries, local restaurants, and trendy bars in the entire city—not to mention the outdoor recreation opportunities at green spaces like Truitt Bark Park, Marshall Park, and Fremont Park!
Things to Do in Midtown
Shop for baked goods, locally-grown fresh fruits and veggies, and more from hundreds of local vendors year-round at Midtown Farmers Market. Gather a group of friends for board game nights or shop all things comic books at Big Brother Comics. Attend live music performances from acts like Phoebe Bridgers, Mya, Jack Harlow, and more at Harlow’s. Looking for an LGBTQ-friendly bar in Sacramento? Find great live music and dancing at The Flamingo House! Shop for artisanal chocolates and macarons or take a baking class at Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates. Indulge in sweet and savory crepes like the Raspberry Blintz, Crepe Marseilles, and Cannelloni at Crepeville. Try the Dirty Duck Fries and Traditional Bratwurst Sausage while sipping a pint of Hofbrau at German beer hall LowBrau. Enjoy delicious Mexican food in Sacramento like the Al Pastor Torta, Chicken Tinga Tostadas, Baja Fish Tacos, and more at Cantina Alley. End the night sipping on tiki-themed cocktails like the Buka Town Chi Chi, Killah Kooluh, and Maiden Voyage at The Jungle Bird.
North Oak Park
- Home Price: $231,729 median purchase price; $888 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 42% of Sacramento neighborhoods
Young adults looking for a relaxing neighborhood that’s extremely walkable and bikeable—in addition to having quick freeway access—should opt for North Oak Park. As the most affordable Sacramento neighborhood on our list, this up-and-coming area is full of cozy cafes, unique restaurants, and laid-back bars. North Oak Park residents have a variety of budget-friendly housing options to choose from, including modern apartments, hip Craftsman, bungalow, and traditional ranch homes, making it a great neighborhood to purchase Sacramento real estate. And with close proximity to the UC Davis Medical Center and the UC Davis School of Medicine, this neighborhood is perfect for young adults starting their careers or continuing their education.
Things to Do in North Oak Park
Take a shot at disc golf, serve up a game of tennis, or have a picnic at McClatchy Park. Buy fresh produce, artisanal products, and other local goods at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market. Attend poetry nights, comedy shows, plays, concerts, and more at The Guild Theater. Shop for stylish vintage clothing and home decor pieces at Rosen Vintage. Start your morning with a fresh Baguette, Almond Croissant, or a cinnamon sugar Morning Bun at Faria Bakery. Indulge in comfort food like Chicken & Waffles, Biscuits & Gravy, or a Smothered Pork Chop at Fixins Soul Kitchen. Dine on the Quesabirria Tacos and sip on a Paloma or Sal Y Pimienta at La Venadita. Or beat the heat with hand-crafted ice cream in Sacramento like a Fudge Brownie, Toasted Almond, or Birthday Cake-flavored double scoop at Gunther’s Ice Cream—a local favorite that’s been serving it up for over 80 years!
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
