Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson declares this a thrilling new era for his city, one that has seen an influx of movers arrive in U-Haul trucks ready to make California’s capital their home.
In at No. 10, Sacramento is on the U-Haul Top 10 U.S. Destination Cities for 2014, rising three spots from the previous year. These rankings reflect the top destinations of one-way U-Haul truck rentals for the past calendar year.
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While migration trends reports do not correlate directly to a city’s population or economic growth, they are a strong gauge as to how well cities are attracting new residents.
“I’m pleased, though not surprised, that Sacramento is rising on U-Haul’s list,” Johnson stated. “There’s never been a more exciting time to be a part of this city, and Sacramento is exuding an exciting energy that newcomers feel immediately. Our food, coffee, wine and beer scene are gaining national recognition, we’re watching a state-of-the-art arena being built in the heart of our downtown and our economy continues to grow dramatically.
“Most importantly, our region is playing to its strengths, innovating in the industries of agriculture and technology, which translates to job growth. It’s a thrilling new era in Sacramento, and we hope people continue to join us and experience it for themselves.”
The River City, renowned for its “green” living initiatives and agricultural contributions, has enjoyed a growth spurt thanks, in part, to affordable regional home prices and urban renewal efforts in older sections of town.
Sacramento County’s population rose to 1.46 million in July 2014, an increase of more than 15,000 residents from the previous year, according to the California Department of Finance. Moving to Sacramento has become a solid alternative for people working in and around San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
“I think it has to do with having some of the lower regional home prices in the Bay area,” said Aaron Anderson, marketing company president for U-Haul Company of East Sacramento.
“People can afford to live up here. Home prices are very reasonable compared to the coastal cities. There is a positive buzz going through urban redevelopment. There is an open-air market with bars and restaurants. Sacramento is an older town with areas that were built up in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, and they’re getting more aggressive with the cleanup by converting old buildings and factories into industrial lofts and apartments.”
Sacramento has embarked on one of the larger downtown revitalization projects taking place in any city with the Sacramento Entertainment & Sports Center, the future home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. It is due for completion in the fall of 2016.
The city’s vintage 1926 downtown train depot also is getting a $30 million makeover.
There is a strong college presence in town with Sacramento State, and UC-Davis is just down the road, making U-Haul storage an attractive option for the younger population.
Add it all up and there are lots of reasons why people are destined for “Sactown.”
“We have more U-Haul neighborhood dealers than we’ve ever had in Sacramento,” Anderson said. “There’s a lot of demand here. We run flush. We do a good job of getting most of our trucks out every week. And there are plenty coming in.”
Continue to visit myuhaulstory.com as the U-Haul Top 10 U.S. Destination Cities for 2014 counts down to No. 1.
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