North Highlands, Antelope and many parts of the North County area have grown and improved significantly over the years. With expansions of homes built only a few years ago in Roseville and Natomas along with city leaders efforts for capitalizing on underused lots in the area, there has been a change for the better on streets that were frequented more by police than commute traffic.
Crime overall is down. Businesses and restaurants that we used to have to drive miles to get to (Starbucks, Panda Express, Jamba Juice) are now in our own backyard. Our school districts (and voters) made a change that, while hotly debated, was initiated to solve problems of past years.
I recently found some blog pages where people went back and forth over which area’s were good and bad in the area of North Highlands, Antelope and other North Sacramento neighborhoods. Bloggers from other states and cities around the country were replying to potential residents for their "two cents" about where they should (and shouldn’t move). Few of the people on that blog actually live here – but are familiar enough with past perceptions. The concern isn’t so much about what people who might move here think as about what people who already live here do.
Residents who’ve lived here 50 years or more remember a time that has long been gone but still gives them a heart for the place they’ve raised kids in, worked in and purchased their first home in. McClellan’s history in the area and the contributions of men and women who served the military will last long after the base closed.
Others are just starting their of legacy. Because of the improvements in the area, some are feeling more of a love for their neighborhood. One anonymous resident of North Highlands recently told me: "I used to hesitate when people asked me where I lived - because I didn’t want to see a negative response from my coworkers like, ‘You live in the ghetto’. Now when people ask me, I quickly respond with, ‘North Highlands’, and I say it with pride".
While we have made great strides and continue to make our world a better place, perceptions are hard to break. But a community is nothing without the people who live and work here. What other people think isn’t nearly as valuable as what we know. We’re responsible for how clean our streets are, how manicured our front lawn is and what our storefronts look like. It’s our job to be part of neighborhood watch programs, community meetings and local ballot measures.
It takes parents, youth, and local leaders to make that difference - so the question is: Are you proud of your neighborhood? Take our survey (click here) and tell us what you know about the North area. We’d love to hear from you.
Please mail in the survey form with your answers to:
North Highlands News Survey
P.O. Box 904
North Highlands, CA 95660
You may also e-mail the answers to the five questions to: submit@thenhnews.com