Best Neighborhoods in North Natomas: A Local Realtor's Guide
If you're thinking about buying a home in North Natomas, one of the first things to understand is that North Natomas isn't really one neighborhood. It's a collection of distinct communities, and although they share many of the same advantages, the experience can be surprisingly different from one neighborhood to the next.
I've worked extensively throughout Natomas during my real estate career, and I've found that choosing the right community often matters just as much as choosing the right house. Some buyers want gated living and extensive community amenities. Others care more about parks, trails, lot size, garage space, newer construction, or simply finding a quieter residential setting.
If you'd like a broader overview of the area, you can also visit my North Natomas Real Estate Guide.
Why So Many Buyers Consider North Natomas
One of North Natomas' biggest advantages is location. The area sits between Downtown Sacramento and Sacramento International Airport, with convenient access to major freeways, shopping, restaurants, parks, trails and recreational facilities.
Much of North Natomas was developed from the late 1990s forward as a collection of planned communities. That's why you'll find newer housing, wide streets, neighborhood parks, greenbelts and trail systems throughout much of the area.
But once you start comparing the individual neighborhoods, the differences become much more interesting.
Westlake
Westlake is one of the most distinctive communities in North Natomas and one I particularly like for buyers who value a peaceful residential setting, attractive surroundings and extensive community amenities.
Parts of Westlake are gated, including the area surrounding my listing at 5085 Dodson Lane. One of the things I personally notice whenever I'm back there is how remarkably quiet portions of the community can feel.
You're still conveniently located near freeway access, Sacramento International Airport, Downtown Sacramento, shopping and restaurants, but the residential areas can feel surprisingly removed from all of that activity.
The Westlake community offers a wide range of amenities, including a clubhouse, gated swimming pool, recreation room, game court, parks, trails, organized activities and community events. And of course, the lake itself is one of the defining features of the neighborhood.
Take a Look Inside a Westlake Home
In the video above, I take you through 5085 Dodson Ln, Sacramento, CA 95835, a nearly 2,500-square-foot single-story home in a gated portion of Westlake.
The property is a good example of some of the features buyers can find within the community, including a large single-story floor plan, tall ceilings, an open great-room concept, extensively upgraded kitchen and bathrooms, a spacious primary suite, covered California-room-style patio, 3-car garage, solar and low-maintenance landscaping.
Interested in homes currently available in Westlake? Contact me and I'll be happy to show you what's available and help you compare the different areas within the community.
Natomas Park
Natomas Park is one of the best-known master-planned communities in North Natomas. It is particularly attractive to buyers who want a planned-community environment with substantial shared amenities.
A major differentiator is The Club at Natomas Park, which gives residents access to recreational and community amenities that aren't available in every North Natomas neighborhood.
For buyers who like the idea of a well-established HOA community and want amenities incorporated into the neighborhood itself, Natomas Park should absolutely be part of the conversation.
The Hamptons
The Hamptons is another popular part of North Natomas and can be a good fit for buyers who want the area's newer suburban housing, parks, trails and convenient location without necessarily prioritizing the same private community amenities found in places such as Natomas Park or portions of Westlake.
This is also a neighborhood where the individual street and specific property can make a big difference, so I encourage buyers to look beyond the subdivision name and compare the homes themselves.
Regency Park
Regency Park occupies the northeastern portion of North Natomas and is particularly notable for its proximity to large public recreational spaces.
Regency Community Park is one of the neighborhood's major features, with extensive open space and recreational opportunities. For buyers who place a high value on nearby parks, walking and biking areas, playgrounds and outdoor recreation, Regency Park is worth a close look.
Northpointe
Northpointe is another distinct residential pocket within the broader North Natomas area. Like several North Natomas neighborhoods, the housing experience can vary significantly depending on the exact street and subdivision.
Here I would focus less on the neighborhood name alone and more on the combination of floor plan, lot, immediate surroundings, access to parks and proximity to the amenities you actually use.
Natomas Crossing
Natomas Crossing occupies a particularly convenient portion of North Natomas and benefits from easy access to shopping, employment centers, transportation and many of the larger amenities that make North Natomas attractive.
For some buyers, the appeal is straightforward: they want the convenience and infrastructure of North Natomas without necessarily paying for or using extensive private community amenities.
North Natomas Village Communities
You'll also frequently hear references to the various Village areas throughout North Natomas. These shouldn't be viewed as one uniform subdivision. Housing styles, price points and immediate surroundings can vary considerably.
These areas can make sense for buyers who want North Natomas' overall location and infrastructure while maintaining flexibility in home style and budget.
Creekside and Sundance Lake
Creekside and Sundance Lake are additional established North Natomas neighborhoods that benefit from the area's larger network of parks, trails and convenient freeway access.
If you're comparing homes here against Westlake, Natomas Park or Regency Park, I'd pay close attention to the individual subdivision, HOA structure, lot size, floor plan, garage configuration and exact location rather than comparing homes solely by price per square foot.
Heritage Park
Heritage Park deserves its own category because it serves a different housing need from most of the other communities in this guide.
It is an age-qualified active-adult community within North Natomas. For buyers specifically seeking that type of lifestyle, Heritage Park provides another option while retaining many of the location advantages associated with North Natomas.
So Which North Natomas Neighborhood Is Best?
There isn't one answer, and that's actually one of the things I like about North Natomas.
A buyer who loves Westlake may be looking for something very different from someone who chooses Regency Park. Another buyer may place more value on the community amenities of Natomas Park, while somebody else simply wants the best house they can find without paying for amenities they don't intend to use.
When comparing North Natomas neighborhoods, I would think about:
- Whether you want an HOA or gated community
- How important community amenities are to you
- Single-story versus two-story housing
- Lot size and garage space
- Proximity to parks and trails
- Freeway and airport access
- How important a quiet residential setting is to you
- Your overall budget
The right answer usually becomes much clearer once we know which of those things actually matter most to you.
Looking for a Home in North Natomas?
I've spent years helping buyers and sellers throughout North Natomas and the greater Sacramento area, and I know how different these communities can feel once you're actually driving the streets and walking through homes.
If you're considering Westlake, Natomas Park, The Hamptons, Regency Park, Natomas Crossing or another North Natomas neighborhood, I'm happy to help you compare the options and find the community that makes the most sense for what you're looking for.
Dennis Elliott
North Natomas Real Estate Specialist
(916) 573-1730
DennisSellsNatomas.com