Chris:
There are quite a few T.C. members in the Sac. area - hopefully they will see this post soon and chime-in with feedback.
I'm about an hour west of there in a valley between the Bay area and Sac.
I drive there to visit relatives and through there to the mountains very often. It is a good place to live in CA. The home prices are very resonable, the cost of living is fairly low (for Calif.) and there is a good car scene as stated before.
My son just accepted a position as the Youth Activities Director for the town of Cameron Park, just east of Sac. near Folsom (where a good friend is a prision guard ... ) off Highway 50 and we are going house hunting with he and his wife next weekend. If you want me to forward any info we find to you just let me know.
I would also consider the areas just south of the city - that area has been growing steadily for the last 10~12 years and there are lots of nice homes down that way.
Here is a link to the major newspaper in the area, the "Sacramento Bee" or 'Sac Bee' to locals

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http://www.sacbee.com/
You should be able to get a feel for the home prices in the local areas from the classifieds.
Are you sure you want leave TN ???
My sister and bro-in-law live in Franklin and just love the place. She was raised in the LA area and wouldn't move back to CA for nothing ...
Looking forward to bumping into you at the local shows :thumbsup:
John M.