The Northern Sierra Foothills offers affordability, space, less congestion and so much more
Lake of the Pines is a gated community in the Sierra Foothills that offers an active lifestyle in a gorgeous environment. For more information and available properties, contact Beverly Tillman, Century 21 Cornerstone Realty, 510-709-5540, 530-652-2833, Beverly.Tillman@c21cornerstone.com.
Affordability, room to spread out, less congestion, picturesque surroundings, great schools, outdoor recreation, and proximity to urban amenities. It may sound like paradise, but it’s actually reality for many Bay Area residents flocking to the Northern Sierra Foothills. The communities that line the Interstate 80 corridor from Roseville east to Highway 49 north and south are attractive destinations for all home buying demographics from first-time home buyers to retirees, according to Beverly Tillman, a Realtor for Century 21, resident of Lake of the Pines in Auburn and Bay Area transplant.
Towns like Rocklin, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Newcastle, Penryn, Auburn, and Grass Valley offer more bang for your real estate buck, which translates to more square footage, more land, and a better quality of life.
Mark Risso, in charge of marketing for Tillman and helping her clients prepare their homes for market including assisting with various repairs, grew up in the heart of Silicon/Santa Clara Valley. He moved to Auburn when he realized he wouldn’t be able to achieve his goal of buying a home in the Bay Area. It’s a move he never regrets, he adds.
Tillman, sold her home in the Bay Area, left a high paying job in the bioscience arena, says “moving to Auburn has allowed me to purchase a home for income and to live comfortably on less.”
Tillman says that even the award-winning school districts and schools such as Blue Oaks Elementary in Roseville, Bear River High School and Forest Lake Christian School in Grass Valley are also attracting families to the area.
Facing prices of $700 to $800 per square foot in the Bay Area, first-time homebuyers are finding the $200-$250 per square foot on average (depending on the area and home) in the Sierra Foothills, an affordable alternative, says Tillman.
At the same time, those who are looking to retire find the location and proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area equally attractive. Not ready for retirement? Many people are buying second homes in the area to decompress from the hustle and bustle on weekends or as an income property for future retirement when the time comes.
Median home prices in the Sierra Foothills, says Tillman range from $330,000 to more than $650,000 for the homes in the most exclusive areas like Granite Bay.
One of Tillman’s current listings is a two-story, sixbedroom, four-bath home in Roseville with about 3,610 square feet of living space with backyard space including a pool, outdoor kitchen and patios. Built in 2000 near top-rated schools, the home is for sale at $639,000. For those who want to build their dream home, the available and affordable land in the foothills is also the place to look.
Some may perceive the foothills as “way out in the country”, but these cities are actually very close to many popular destinations and activities and just a 2.5-hour drive to either San Francisco or Lake Tahoe or 30 to 45-minute drive to downtown Sacramento.
“It’s the quality of life here in the Sierra Foothills that adds years to your life” says Risso. “We have the bustling work environment, high tech and government work, but not the gridlock.”
An abundance of outdoor activities are even closer. Explore the walking, biking, hiking and equestrian trails at the popular Hidden Falls Regional Park or grab a fishing pole or launch a canoe or kayak on the American River.
Wine enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of wineries springing up in the area. Says Tillman, there are 11 wineries within 11 miles near Auburn and about 100 wineries throughout the Sierra Foothills. Tillman suggests taking in a summer outdoor concert at Naggier Vineyard.
If wine doesn’t appeal to your palate, it may be time to explore the craft beer industry surging throughout the Auburn/Foothill area. Award winning breweries like Knee Deep, Crooked Lane, Auburn Alehouse, and Moonraker are in the Auburn area. Old Republic is in Nevada City; Goathouse Brewing is in Lincoln; and Rocklin is home to Dragas Brewing and Boneshaker Public House.
More outdoor activities include teeing it up at one of the many area golf courses that appeal to golfers of all abilities. There is The Ridge, DarkHorse, Auburn Valley Golf Club and Black Oak in the Auburn area; Winchester in Meadow Vista; Turkey Creek in Lincoln; Whitney Oaks in Rocklin; and Apple Mountain in the Camino area.
For more information or to view homes for sale in the Northern Sierra Foothills, contact:
Century 21 Cornerstone Realty Beverly Tillman 510-709-5540 530-652-2833 Beverly.Tillman@ c21cornerstone.com