The Good and the Bad

Money Magazine - Best Places to Live: Top 100 - "For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community."

El Dorado Hills, California - Ranked 77th
Population: 22,200
Median home price (2006): $672,335
Average property taxes (2006): $4,434

El Dorado Hills knows the golden rule in real estate: Location, Location, Location. Nestled in between the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, the community enjoys the kind of geography that Californians dream of - close to skiing, the ocean, wineries and state parks. And with elevations ranging from 200 ft to over 10,800 ft, it's no wonder that El Dorado County (which boasts a million acres of national forest land) lies in the most diversified recreational area in the state.


The Good

- Proximity to Folsom, Sacramento, San Francisco, Tahoe
- Access to multiple lakes and rivers
- Seasonal weather
- Animals - Wild and domestic
- Recreational Activities
- Land value
- Property sizes (Acreage and Living space)
- People live here because they want to
- The scenery and topography of the land
- Quiet lifestyle
- Rural yet close to services
- Low crime rates

The Bad

- Seasonal weather & lots of rain
- Commute time (Traffic getting worse)
- Air quality
- Soil is inhospitable for most plants
- Lack of high end shopping
- Lack of high-paying jobs
- Only 1 sports team in the area - distance prohibitive
- Lack of quality restaurants and suppliers
- Lack of a University of California
- Airport lacks routes