Francisco and surrounding cities to drop . By late 2020 , rents had fallen 20 percent in some neighborhoods , according to private-listing websites . That could , eventually , draw more people back to San Francisco , especially when dining and cultural scenes largely paused due to the pandemic are back in full swing .
“ High rents and high costs have been pushing people inland to begin with , making people willing to commute ” Michael says . “ At the same time ... the same factors are reducing the cost of living in the Bay Area and making it a little bit less of a burden .”
‘ Offer a good quality of life ’
So what can the region do to counteract that possible pullback to the Bay Area ? The push to get more companies to put down physical roots and expand the region ’ s workforce and economy should make Sacramento an attractive and viable destination , leaders say . And many believe inertia will play a role , especially for homebuyers . Once someone ’ s settled into more space and an easier lifestyle , moving back to smaller quarters can be less appealing , even if the prices drop .
While housing stock , prices and the future presence of employers will help , experts agree that less tangible factors such as culture and community will play a big role . “ The key to attracting these high-skilled , high-wage workers is to offer a good quality of life ,” Michael says . “ It ’ s important to continue to invest in the amenities that these workers are seeking . “ A lower price tag is important , but they want the parks and safety and community amenities as well . Those are pretty critical .”
The region ’ s reputation as a farm-tofork capital has already helped , and music and art events such as the Aftershock Festival and Wide Open Walls attract visitors from outside the area . And a Major League Soccer stadium set to open
in 2023 will bring even more bustle and activity downtown . In addition to hosting Republic FC , the venue has already booked several major NCAA events .
“ Fifteen years ago , we were a cow town ,” Muir , the real estate agent , says . “ It ’ s true it wasn ’ t that exciting . I think within the last decade we ’ ve just gone really far into being more of a hip , cool place .”
Muir sees no sign of a slowdown . Even after the pandemic ends , she expects the migration to have a magnet effect as friends and others see the benefits of moving east . “ The more people who come here ,” she says , “ the more people will follow .”
Torey Van Oot is a freelance writer and a former political reporter for The Sacramento Bee . She also has written for The Washington Post , Public Radio International , InStyle and other publications . On Twitter @ toreyvanoot .
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