Hey everyone, my name is Jon as of now I live in Howell, Michigan and I'm 20 years old. In the next 6 months to a year I will be moving out west! I've been looking for areas in California and first looked at Fresno but the more I heard about Sacramento I felt it was a much better choice. So I thought I would come on here and see if anyone could give me any pointers?

Well, one issue is affordability.  Sacramento is one of the most affordable areas in California.   See for example the California Association of Realtors most recent "affordability index", below.  High numbers are better.

Also I think Eric recently posted an article by Kiplingers rating us #8 in the country.

Historical Series
First-Time Buyer
Housing Affordability Index 2008
C.A.R. Region                            Q1 2008
California                   44
California - Condos              50
United States                   69
Central Valley                   NA
High Desert                   64
Los Angeles County         35
Monterey Region              29
Northern California              48
Northern Wine Country         39
Orange County              36
Palm Sprgs/Lwr Desert         42
Riverside/SBernardino         57
Sacramento County         64
San Diego County              41
San Francisco Bay              30
San Luis Obispo County         32
Santa Barbara Area         33
Santa Clara County         31
Southern California          43
Ventura County              43

County                   
Alameda                   34
Contra Costa              31
Fresno                   56
Marin                   24
Merced                   61
Riverside                   55
San Bernardino         59
San Francisco              23
San Joaquin              NA
San Mateo              22
Santa Cruz              28
Sonoma                   41
Stanislaus              NA