Rural Roots Sunday – Coming Full Circle: Why Rural Elk Grove Feels Like Home

…The Rural Area is valued in our community for its aesthetic and cultural significance, as well as the economic and educational opportunities that agriculture provides. Our commitment to maintaining the Rural Area is clear and codified in core planning documents…”

Elk Grove General Plan, December 2025, Page 2-4

Growing up in a rural community in Northern California taught me the value of open space, close-knit neighborhoods, and a slower pace of life. As a child, I spent my days outdoors, surrounded by farmland, lakes, country roads, and a strong sense of community. Those experiences shaped who I am and instilled in me a deep appreciation for the lifestyle and values that rural living provides.

When I moved to the Sacramento area to attend Sac State many years ago, I was excited by the opportunities that came with living in a larger city. Sacramento offered educational, cultural, and professional experiences that helped me grow. Yet as the years passed, I found myself missing the feeling of home—the quiet mornings, the connection to nature, and the sense of belonging that comes from living in a rural community.

That desire became even stronger after becoming a mother and navigating the challenges of raising a young family in close quarters during the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted my son to experience many of the same benefits I enjoyed growing up: room to explore, a safe environment, and a community where neighbors know, support, and look out for one another.

When we began searching for a place to put down roots, Rural Elk Grove offered exactly what we were looking for. I still remember the day I showed my husband the listing for the house we now call home. To our surprise, he immediately recognized it—it was the home of a childhood friend and a place where he had spent countless hours playing as a child. In that moment, it felt as though we had come full circle. What began as a search for a rural lifestyle had led us to a place that was already woven into our family's story.

Rural Elk Grove provides the peaceful atmosphere and agricultural character that remind me of my childhood while still offering convenient access to a top-rated school district, jobs, and amenities. Raising a child here means giving them the opportunity to develop a connection to the land, a sense of independence, and an appreciation for community. It is a place where children can explore nature, families can build lasting relationships, and the pace of life allows space for meaningful connections.

For our family, Rural Elk Grove is more than just a place to live. It is a place that fosters connection—to community, to the land, and to one another. It is a place of peace that helps balance the demands of modern life while preserving the values that make rural communities so special. It is, quite simply, home.

As a Elk Grove resident and mother who understands the value of preserving rural life and who chose Rural Elk Grove because of the qualities it offers, I urge decision-makers to protect and preserve its rural character. Future generations deserve the same opportunity to experience the sense of community, connection to nature, and quality of life that make this area unique. Once lost, these qualities cannot easily be restored, making their preservation not only important for current residents but essential for those who will call Rural Elk Grove home in the years to come.

Kolbi Parrish, Resident of Rural Elk Grove