Santa Rosa is a huge city with 504,217 people living in it. So when it comes time to decide which neighborhood in Santa Rosa you should move to, things can get pretty complicated. In this beautiful city there’s so much to do, and no matter where you live, you’re surrounded by wineries all around! Though Santa Rosa is known for its wineries, there’s more to it than that. Santa Rosa is also known for the Schulz Museum, which honors the whole Peanuts gang. Plenty of people come every year for the Children’s Museums miniature train and hands-on exhibits.
Thankfully, the many Santa Rosa neighborhoods continue to show how great the city is–which is why it can be difficult to choose. Everyone will need a certain type of neighborhood that is appealing to them. For example, some people may need a kid-friendly suburb in Santa Rosa. Others may need a neighborhood without kids and more retirees. Whether you’re looking for old, young, LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods, or the safest Santa Rosa suburbs, you’ll find it in our ultimate guide.
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McDonald Historic District – Santa Rosa’s Historic Neighborhood
The McDonald Historic District, sometimes called the Junior College neighborhood, is a historic part of downtown Santa Rosa where many people own their homes. There is lots of charm with this Santa Rosa suburb, and it’s clear that history is in every part of the neighborhood. With beautifully renovated historic homes and apartments, this neighborhood has everything you could want.
It’s easy to walk somewhere to grab a bite, it’s very safe, and it’s nearby shops and walking trails. There are towering trees that have spent hundreds of years growing, well-kept roads, and a suburb feel while being close to downtown. If you have kids, this is a wonderful place to be, though many people are retirees as well.
Oakmont – Santa Rosa’s Master Planned Community
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If you’re looking for a master-planned adult community in Santa Rosa, Oakmont is where you’ll want to be. This Santa Rosa suburb is for adults looking for an experience run by HOA that includes everything from tennis courts to swimming pools. There are even some homes that are maintained by the HOA.
Whether you want independent or assisted living, Oakmont offers it. This safe community is where adults can come together to make friends and live in a master-planned community with everything you could ever want. The residents are extremely friendly and happy living at Oakmont. There are activities planned every day to get residents together. With a golf course and gorgeous gardens, some of the homes are pushed up against the mountain, others border the greens, and some are in quiet cul de sacs. There’s something for everyone here.
Homes range from $500,000+ depending on location, how big, and any other extra amenities you want to add on.
Downtown – Hip, Young & Active Suburb
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When most people say downtown Santa Rosa, they are really talking about 4th street. This is where you’ll find many bars, restaurants, and apartments for those looking for an urban-style life. Though there are some older homes here, most of them are remodeled apartments and loft-style rooms above businesses.
This is a great neighborhood in Santa Rosa if you are a younger, single adult or couple. It’s a liberal district filled with hardworking, friendly people. You won’t find many kids in this section of downtown, and the apartments may be a bit on the pricey side. Expect to pay around $1,600 to rent a one bedroom apartment in downtown Santa Rosa.
Bennett Valley – Attracts Retiree’s in Santa Rosa
Fit with the Bennett Valley Golf Course, the Bennett Valley neighborhood is a fairly popular one for older folks looking for a nice place to retire. Those living in this Santa Rosa suburb enjoy walking trails, multiple vineyards, gardening and hiking, and more. Because of the prime location, these homes can cost anywhere from $700,000-$1,200,000+, making it perfect for those wanting to be in a wealthy neighborhood to retire.
Bennett Valley’s neighborhood isn’t a true HOA-run neighborhood, but more of a main road with beautiful sprawling homes. Because of this, there’s no planned community, HOA fees, or community pool, gym, or other things that come with planned communities. That being said, many of the homes have pools of their own, and the golf course has a membership option for those who enjoy being part of a club.
Roseland – Affordable & Diverse Santa Rosa Neighborhood
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In south Santa Rosa is the Roseland neighborhood. It’s known for being a commercial area with lots of warehouses, stores, and businesses lining the streets. However, there are also affordable homes that attract many young families with kids. There are three different elementary schools in Roseland because of the number of young kids living there. So if you have children, this is one of the best neighborhoods to be in.
It’s a very diverse neighborhood as it serves as an entrance for immigrants and refugees. Because of this, the Roseland schools are boasted as the most diverse in the county! They’re rated well, there are people of all ages, and the community is nice and friendly.
If you’re looking for homes for sale in this Santa Rosa suburb, you can expect to pay anywhere from $165,000-$550,000 depending on the part of Roseland you’re looking at. It’s affordable and a very convenient location right next to Costco!
Fountaingrove – Recovering From The Fire
In 2017, Fountaingrove was burned to the ground in one of Santa Rosa’s fires. It used to be one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Santa Rosa, with homes selling for over $2,000,000 on a regular basis. However, when 1,500 homes were burned to the ground, no one was sure whether the neighborhood would recover.
Thankfully, it has. The neighborhood is still pricey, but it’s taken a price cut due to the fires. Single adults, young families, and LGBTQ+ couples are moving in. It’s one of the best Santa Rosa neighborhoods for LGBTQ+ individuals, and it even boasts an LGTBQ+ retirement community!
Though many contractors have bought up plots and are building to sell, you can still snag one of the many lots and build yourself for a much cheaper cost. Expect to pay anywhere from $550,000+ for a new home in this area.
Memorial Hospital Neighborhood – Safe & Affluent Santa Rosa Neighborhood
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Located near the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital is the Memorial Hospital neighborhood. This is one of the best places to live for those who are retired or just want a safe place to live. Relatively affluent, the homes are generally in the $600,000-$1,000,000 range. Inside of this area, there are a few thousand people who live there. It’s a large neighborhood in Santa Rosa, and you can expect most people to keep to themselves.
Because this isn’t a planned community, this Santa Rosa suburb has a downtown feel, but the homes are all suburb-style. Some of the homes are a few decades old, but many people are redoing the homes or remodeling them. The property is expensive, and it may be cheaper to buy an old home and then start over from scratch. However, many of the homes have been remodeled, so if you’re wanting modern updates, this is a great neighborhood to be in.
Though you’ll hear sirens more often than most neighborhoods because you’re close to the hospital, there is a lot to do. Nearby, is 4th street for shopping and eating and Spring Creek for some beautiful views or hiking.
Neighborhoods Map
- McDonald Historic District
- Oakmont
- Downtown
- Bennett Valley
- Roseland
- Fountaingrove
- Memorial Hospital Neighborhood
If you’re looking at Santa Rosa neighborhoods, the ones listed above are some of the best you’ll find. All of them are safe, beautiful, and come with many benefits. Whether you’re a young family with kids or an older retired couple, there’s a neighborhood in Santa Rosa for everyone. If you’re moving to Santa Rosa, make it easy and call Mentors Moving & Storage. We’re always ready to help, and you won’t have to lift a finger. Give us a call for a free quote today!
