This progressive spot is experiencing quite a bit of growth, attracting empty-nesters and retirees, as well as families and professionals, from Sacramento and San Francisco.   New blood from these larger areas is bringing some social and cultural diversity to Roseville, but it is still a conservative city with a rich appreciation of its railroad history and pioneer past.   

As more residents come to town, new master-planned developments are popping up to accommodate the new arrivals.   California real estate prices have been through the roof in recent years, and although Roseville's are higher than the national average, the current local median home price of $355,000 is not nearly as high as in other desirable California cities (the overall cost-of-living is roughly 40% above the national average).

The city is spread out (some might say sprawling), and its topography ranges from flat grasslands to rolling hills with creeks and trees, but it has two distinct sections.   East Roseville includes "Old Town" and has more established, older neighborhoods while West Roseville has the newer subdivisions, including Woodcreek Oaks, Johnson Ranch, Stone Canyon, Crocker Ranch, and for those seeking retirement in an active adult community, Del Webb's Sun City Roseville (which opened in 2006).   Here 3 bedroom, 2 bath single family homes start at around $317,000 (topping out in the mid $400,000s), and residents enjoy all of the amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, normally found in a Del Webb retirement development (call 916-746-4800 for more information).

And while residences in West Roseville tend to be newer and more expensive, in East Roseville, buyers find homes with charm and character; many are for sale in the mid-$200,000s to low $300,000s vicinity.   Here homes are graced by tall trees and mature landscaping and entice buyers seeking classic California designs with white exteriors and red tile roofs as well as standard brick and stucco ranch-style and bi-level homes with an attached garage at the front of the house.

This is an interactive map.  Click on the arrows in the upper left hand corner to move the map to the East, West, North or South, and click on the +/- signs to zoom in and out.

Property taxes in California are terribly complicated, but it is fairly safe to say that the annual taxes on a residential dwelling will be 1.85-1.95% of its assessed value.  This amount should include the Mello-Roos tax, a fee (tax) tacked onto the tax bill as a way to get around the state's strict Proposition 13 tax increase protections.  Some of these Mello-Roos fees can be substantial in newer subdivisions requiring lots of new infrastructure.  Contact the Placer County Assessor's Office at CustomerService@placer.ca.gov for more information (they do not publish their phone number so they apparently only want to be contacted via email).

Roseville, California, Continued...