Located in the northern portion of California’s Central Valley, Sacramento is the capital of California and the seventh largest city in the state. Known for its mild temperatures and the presence of several public and private colleges and universities, Sacramento has been described as one of the nation’s most diverse, most racially integrated cities. It has an active social scene, a variety of outdoor recreation possibilities thanks to its location at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River, and is just a short drive from the Oakland/San Francisco Bay area.

Sacramento is the core cultural and economic center of the Sacramento Metropolitan Area, which is made up of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. As the state capital, one of the largest employers is government (state and county), followed by health companies like UC Davis Health System, Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health. School districts are another big employer, rounding out professional service jobs for the area. Trade, utilities, transportation, construction and manufacturing are also primary employers to those working in Sacramento.

Sacramento residents have a variety of transportation options to get from where they live to where they work and play. The city is served by a public transit and light rail system as well as Amtrak service to other areas of the state. The bicycle is also a popular, and green form of transportation for residents in part because of the city’s flat terrain and mild climate.

Sacramento has a large population of young, single, educated and upwardly mobile career starters. Single people in the 20s and 30s just starting their professional careers gravitate here and find good opportunities for friendships, socializing, fun and romance.

Because of it’s bordering rivers and proximity to the ocean, Sacramento also has a nautical feel to it, with portions of the city touching either rivers or inlets.

Living in Sacramento puts you at the heart of cultural and recreational opportunities. There are several major theater venues, including the Sacramento Ballet, Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sacramento Opera. The city also has one of the largest collections of community theaters in the state. The Sacramento Arts Council has an active schedule of public events, and there are several major museums in the area.

Outdoor enthusiasts can appreciate Discover Park, at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers as well as the Jedidiah Smith Memorial Trail, which runs through 5,000 acres of undeveloped land in the American River Parkway and attracts cyclists and equestrians throughout the state. The rivers and Sacramento’s proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountain range (roughly one hour by car) provide numerous opportunities for sport and outdoor activities like running and cycling on the extensive bikeways on the American River, canoeing, fishing, boating and kayaking, skiing and other winter mountain sports, and hiking, camping and backpacking in the nearby wilderness.

If you love sports, Sacramento is considered a hotbed for high school rugby, track and field trials, and NCAA basketball. The city has two professional basketball teams, a AAA baseball team, and also hosts roller hockey, United Football League and professional paintball!

Sacramento also enjoys a very active social scene and what is considered a superb array of restaurants of all varieties.

Whether you’re joining the ranks of the young, single professionals or you want to relocate your family to Sacramento, here are some starting points:

If you’re looking for affordable neighborhoods in Sacramento, look in the Watt Avenue/Fruitridge Road area, as neighborhoods in these areas have some of the most affordable housing in the region.

The Downtown/Midtown/Old Sacramento area is where to look if you want to live in the middle of the action in well-appointed luxury town homes. East Sacramento offers quiet, tree-lined streets, with a mix of tour-worthy mansions and craftsman-style homes, single family homes from the 1940s and 50s and some upscale rental opportunities.

The Arden-Arcade neighborhoods are east of downtown Sacramento. It is one of the more developed areas of the city and offers renting families many options: ranch-style homes, 1950s bungalows, gated estates, townhomes and large apartment communities.