RayBot

I have a pretty good opportunity for a job in in Sacramento and I'm looking for some information about the area before I make my final decision. My wife lived up there in 01-02, but things change especially in this economy, so I'm hoping that residents or recent former residents of Sacramento will be able to give me some info.

Housing and rental market information is easy to find - the internet is lousy with articles about every conceivable housing market. Everything indicates that the housing market, while not stable, is at least considerably cheaper than LA where I live now.

I'm obviously not worried about the job market if I'm thinking of moving up there for a job - I don't plan to take the job unless it's everything I'm hoping it will be, and more.

What I can't seem to find is information about the neighborhoods surrounding Sac (like Somerset, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, etc). Like, where are the good/bad neighborhoods?

Also, taking those neighborhoods into consideration, how is the traffic from those areas into Sac? Granted, I don't know exactly where I'll be working, but for the purpsoes of this question, I'm going to figure that I'll be living somehwere in the outskirts and working in the thick of it.

Also, is there any other information that will be helpful in my decision? How's the social scene? Is there a theatre/arts district? How's the crime? Is there a zombie holocaust happening now, or looming in the near future? Can you go out without having your leg humped by roving bands of horny stray pot-bellied pigs?

I appreciate your help!