What Neighborhoods to Stay Away From in Sacramento? (2025)

by | Sep 8, 2025 | Buy, California | 0 comments

Residential homes in Meadowview, Sacramento neighborhood with safety concerns

Sacramento is one of California’s fastest-growing cities. People like it because it has a lot of history, culture, and is cheaper than other parts of the state. Sacramento, like any other big city, has neighborhoods that are better than others. If you’re thinking about moving to Sacramento in 2025, you might be wondering what neighborhoods you should steer away from or at least look into more before you move in.


Things That Make a Neighborhood Less Desirable

Before mentioning specific places, it’s crucial to know what people commonly think of as “red flags”:

  • A lot of crime, especially stealing and property crime.
  • Not having things like grocery stores, hospitals, and schools.
  • Lower ratings for schools, which can be bad for families with kids.
  • Bad infrastructure or aging homes that need repairs.
  • More people are homeless, which is a problem in some neighborhoods of Sacramento.

Neighborhoods in Sacramento That Are Often Called “Less Desirable”

Sacramento offers a lot of safe and prosperous communities, however some people say that other districts are less appealing because of crime rates, high costs, or a lack of services.

Heights of Del Paso

  • Historically, it has had higher crime rates.
  • The value of homes is reduced, yet some people are worried about safety.

North Highlands (just beyond the city borders of Sacramento)

  • Cheap, but crime rates are higher than normal in comparable Sacramento suburbs.
  • Has trouble because of aging homes and few amenities.

Meadowview

  • A neighborhood with some community projects, although it’s commonly included in crime reports.
  • Less expensive than Midtown or East Sacramento, however there are safety issues.

Some Sections of Oak Park

  • This area is getting gentrified, with new buildings and hip coffee shops popping up.
  • Still, certain areas are still reporting problems with crime and safety.

Alternatives That Are Safer and More Popular

If you’re thinking about moving to Sacramento, you might want to look into neighborhoods that are known for having better schools, safety, and amenities:

  • East Sacramento – Tree-lined streets that are good for families and close to downtown.
  • Midtown Sacramento – Hip, easy to get around, and has a lot of places to eat and have fun.
  • Land Park – Has a suburban ambiance with parks and decent schools.
  • Natomas (North & South) – A popular area for new projects because it is close to the airport.
  • Pocket-Greenhaven – Quiet, residential, and with a strong sense of community.

Last Thoughts

So, which neighborhoods in Sacramento should you stay away from?
People often say that places like Del Paso Heights, Meadowview, North Highlands, and areas of Oak Park are not as good because of violence and problems with the infrastructure. That being said, every neighborhood has some good blocks and some that need work.

📌 The best thing to do is to go to the area in person, look at crime maps, and chat to people who live there before making a choice. Depending on your budget and way of life, what doesn’t work for one person might work for another.


📞 Need help picking the best area in Sacramento?
Our real estate professionals can help you find the safest and most inexpensive neighborhoods that meet your lifestyle.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *