pros and cons of living in benicia, ca pros and cons of living in benicia, ca

Benicia is a little gem that gets overlooked because of the nearby refineries. All she said is true. I would love feedback. 1. Our (only) son went off to OSU (Oregon)3 years ago. Although not Napa or Sonoma, this is a historic town surrounded by the bay with a small-town feel and very family oriented. A second silver rush in 1859 helped to keep the city active, and then the transcontinental railroad provided a direct connection with the rest of the country. P.S. Come to our farmers market and check out the town- every Thursday from 4-8. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. Fourth of July is one such day. Taxes too high. By the 1870s, the first cable cars began to operate, providing a public transportation option for a city that reached a population of 150,000 people. For me, it would depend on what kind of town I want to live in, schools, etc. #3. If you're not into surfing, no worries, there's plenty of other activities to choose from, like biking, hiking, fishing, snorkeling and much more. Some places in Florida have been ranked 8% lower to 18% higher in cost compared to the average American city. In Oceanside, the cost of living is 43.8% higher than the national average. Benicians consider that Martinez is somewhat similar in a lot of ways to Benicia (although my understanding is that their refinery has much less capacity); Concord obviously is a much larger town (really a small city) and harder to generalize, but don't underestimate the value of proximity to BART. The town puts on wonderful holiday celebrations and the entire town comes out to celebrate. All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. Kathy, Re: considering a move to Sacramento Regardless of where in California you live, youre never further than a days drive from an epic national park and some of the best hiking trails in the country. Using data from weather, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages. The whole bus will start yelling at you too, so maybe dont be the first one out until you get used to the situation. You have people working in Silicon Valley making six figures, but living out of their vehicle because they cant find a place they can afford. Hello and welcome to the Bay! I would suggest one of you nail down your job first and pick the area to buy in second, because if you end up working in Oakland, that's a more reasonable commute from all those communities. Prices differ largely based on where in town accommodation is located, if all the bills are included (wifi, electricity, water, etc. The taxes should be taken into strong consideration while researching if moving to California is right for you because they will greatly reduce your overall take home pay. You can also catch the NBA, NHL, and MLS when living in the city. Colombia is a beautiful country and has much to offer. You really arent a true resident of the city until youve seen someone walking down the street naked. The cost of living in California is 49.9% above the national average, which means you have to earn significantly higher here. Then, if your bus is going through Chinatown, expect a lengthy delay. It's only fitting to consider the pros and cons of this popular decision-making tool: The Pros Rigor. Don't drive 29 miles/hr in a 25 mile zone, 'cause the cops will ticket you immediately. Los Angeles: With median home prices averaging $756,000 and one-bedroom apartments going for $2,370 per month, Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in America for home buyers. San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living . However, it can be a little too hot for some. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. We are looking in Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa or Fairfield/Vacaville, Concord areas. I'm considering a move to Benicia in the next few months. Commute from Benicia to SF is a two-bridge commute. Sure, come visit for awhile. Wildfires have been engulfing the west coast in record numbers over the past few years and California has definitely been hit the hardest. I not ready to drop off the vine yet, but I want a lifestyle change. Also occasionally you can smell the refinery - some people are bothered by this, some are not. Looking for a light filled home close to hiking/walking trails. If you are moving to the area with your family, then Noe Valley tends to be the place where you end up. I will likely take BART. Please keep in mind that this is a personal list, not everyone will feel the same way. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose. Even if you want a studio apartment, you're going to be paying more than $2,000 per month to live in the city. what if i am moving to cali for a decent paying tech job ? it seems that everyone who lives here knows how special this place is and wants to take care of it. It is small, everyone knows everyone, which has pluses and minuses, but it also provides a hometown feel that many places in California do not. Any time you add a bridge to the equation, it gets dicey, so in general I'd say Martinez is better than Benicia strictly from the commute perspective. Even if you cook every meal at home, youll need to budget at least $420 per person, which is over $100 more than the national average. That means you can use the money that youd spend on your car payment, automotive insurance, and fuel to ease the burden of your rental costs in the city. The Pros And Cons Of Living In Each State. If you have any question, you can email me as well. But these are the things most people are looking for. In the past year, appreciation rates for homes in the Benicia area were 5.8% and 5 year appreciation rates were 10.7%. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. You can also find affordable rentals around the state in popular cities like Henderson, where a two-bedroom apartment averages around $1,700. Copyright © 2023 Embrace Someplace | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Benicia's schools are arguably better. San Francisco: A driver in San Francisco loses 97 hours a year to traffic, ensuring that yet another California city makes the list of top 10 cities with the worst traffic. My husband & I moved to Benicia with our 13-year-old son more than 33 years ago. It's definitely cheaper than Berkeley, safe, quiet, but with a great ''old town'' downtown. California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and its not hard to see why. Thanks. The cost of housing is "cheaper " compared to some bay area locations. I would crack up when the ''water view'' was looking at the refinery, but there are plenty of houses that do have a real water view. It has excellent schools - all but one are California Distinguished Schools and are actually in the top nationwide. Not others. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Benicia: Benicia State Capitol and Historical Park, Benicia State Recreation Area, and Benicia Historical Museum. The cost of living in San Francisco is equally high. If you arent involved in the high-tech sector, there are still excellent jobs in healthcare, hospitality, and indirect positions that contribute to the economy. pros and cons plural noun 1 : arguments for and against often + of Congress weighed the pros and cons of the new tax plan. We arevery attached to living within the Bay Area, hence we would love to get your recommendation. We currently live in LA and are pre-retirement. Benicia cost of living is 158.3 100=National Average AVERAGE RENT BY BEDROOM SIZE Housing prices are comical (well, they would be if they werent reality). You can easily join a fitness class, a sports league, or some other favorite activity to start making friends when living in San Francisco. When you look at the city, San Francisco and the Bay Area has the 19th-largest domestic economy in the world. Personally, I would not want to live in so isolated a place as Benicia, but I know plenty of people who love it. You cant beat the weather and people who live here love it. Although the high school has a strong arts program, overall the district spends a lot of time and emphasison test prep and there is significant homework starting in Kindergarten. Its hard to enjoy everything the state has to offer if you arent bringing in a considerable annual income. Rental rates. Regrettably for Redding, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F), cost of living (F), education (F), employment (D) and housing (D-). At present, California is the worst state in the country for fire dangers. Fairfield is probably 20 minutes away and Vacaville is about 30 minutes away. Thats when the name of the city changed for the full-time population of about 800 people. If you prefer to look for a condo as a way to save some money, then the average cost of that option is $1.25 million. 4. Pinole Valley is safe, family-friendly, and diverse. Year after year, California tops the list as having the most devastating fires in the country and the trend seems to be getting worse nearly 12 million acres were burned in 2020 alone. Youre never too far from the mountains, beach, desert or forests, which is one of the biggest reasons my parents moved to California to raise a family. Over 80% of the city was destroyed at the time, 3,000 people were killed, and 250,000 were left homeless. Im 25 now and I guess I can say that its not the easiest for me to make new connections. If you cant afford being here, even with a job offer, then maybe another destination is the right choice to make. The median sale price is $407,500, which is lower than neighboring state of California. Like wills, living trusts (formally known as revocable trusts) list the people who will receive your property after you die, leaving you free to manage it while you're alive. All three of Californias major cities rank as being some of the most diverse in America. 2c. The North Bay is really a great place to live. The Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States. Too many people; California being one of the most populated cities makes people scramble for the limited space in the area. Although there are free parking options outside of the city center, the average monthly rate to keep your vehicle stored while you work comes to about $310 per month. Kelly, Hmm, well, I worked in Benicia for many years and was never seriously tempted to live there. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. California is a pay to play state, theres no way around it. You'll have access to amenities like an extensive trail system . Because of the citys location near fault lines, there is always the lingering threat of the Big One that exists in residents minds. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. The city has a population of 27,780 people. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. Fantastic schools, a good community, and much more affordable than the Bay Area. There's even a bounce house for the kids! The crime rate is high; 20.3%, 3 times (in 100,000 people) more than the entire US itself. Waisting paycheck to move to Cali. It has such a strong community feeling, between the residents, police and fire teams, business owners, etc. A Travel Website About Portland and Oregon. With prices like this, theres no denying that living in California isnt even in the same timezone as affordable. Vallejo has a bad rap about crime; Benicia has a large oil refinery in town, with the environmental concerns that entails; you'd want to research each of those issues extensively, as well as your school options, before committing. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. Niche is not a lender and does not endorse the products of these advertisers. - The Weather Northern California is home to a lot of wonderful weather. Dont base your schedule on what it tells you. Most restaurants tailor their menus to healthy eating instead of huge portions of high-carb foods. P.S. On a less positive note, Benicia does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F) and housing (D). Im terrified. Please. Unlike wills, trusts require that you give up direct ownership of that property. Thanks. But which state is best to stay for a loner like me who has zero support from any angle. 8. And seeing as Canadians are enjoying increased income, they'll have more to spend at your new business - easily making this one of the best pros and cons of living in Canada. I memorized a script. You will find two active Major League Baseball teams in the Bay Area for you to catch a game. 3. Though it is a suburb of Vallejo, it is significantly different. The road tripping opportunities are endless, you can spend days at the beach or peruse a plethora of museums or attend world-class events. The median home price for Benicia homes is $475,500, which is 16.2% higher than the California average. People in the city take this issue very seriously. Thank you! It all sounds like fun to move but when youre actually far from your old surrondings and family then it can be pretty frightening at the least. As someone that (briefly) considered moving to the Pacific Northwest, I cant even begin to fathom that challenge of living under a cloud most of the year. While there is a progressive faction in town, there is also a strong uh less progressive group. Between the lovely Mediterranean climate, the colorful architecture and the breathtaking nature, it seems that Californians take work-life balance seriously and we are all better for it. We live next to Benicia, but technically are zip coded as Vallejo. Great parks. She developedasthma after moving there. There are lots of job opportunities available in San Francisco. Long days, regardless of mode of travel. And almost anywhere in the city, you can see the water. People there either take the 80 express bus to SF, or drive to Del Norte BART, park there, and BART into SF from there. For comparison purposes, the average price in the United States for the same space is about $1,175 per month. Human trafficking is ramped. Actually sales tax was less there than the state Im in now (Louisiana)- so was car insurance. . San Diego alone is home to more than 7,000 restaurants, and the Hispanic cuisine is considered the best in the country thanks to the citys close proximity to Mexico. I can't really think of anything negative. If you live downtown, you can walk to everything without a car. Our budget is around $2200 a month. When weighing the pros and cons of living in Dallas, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. I did a year-long stint in New York City and the harsh winter made leaving an easy choice. Median real estate prices in Redding come in at $232,000, which is 43.3% lower than the California average. The economy across the entire Bay Area is on fire right now. If you choose the back part of Pinole Valley, you get to send your daughter to Ellerhorst, which is a very good school. Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. In moving around so much, Ive had an opportunity to experience living in California through various large cities and Ive definitely learned a lot about what life in California is like. California is not the place you want to come to without knowing anybody. Also, yoga culture is huge in San Diego. An added bonus is that the town is located right on the water so you can see the ships go by, etc. William Richardson, an Englishman, is considered the founder of the city, which he established in 1835. One of the reasons why the housing market and rental costs are so high in San Francisco is because the economy is strong, diverse, and consistent. Living in Benicia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Property values in both places took a major dive during the recession. Our kids are 15, 13, 11 and 8, so high school, middle and elementary. Thank you! Hi there. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. Spacious new 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartment homes offer high-quality kitchen appliances, private patios or balconies and plentiful storage. The economy in San Francisco keeps humming along. That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, librairies, etc., Benicia has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. An average meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is about $80, which is double the cost of what the national average is in the United States. What's the crime rate in Benicia California? There is a significant homeless population in the city as well, especially in the core, where youre going to find a higher crime rate, unsanitary conditions at times, and encounters with people who are desperate for a fix, down on their luck, or struggling with their mental health. This may be the most honest review of anything (period) Ive ever read on the internet. Prices were lower there, but she believes theair quality from the refinery has affected their health and that of others she knows in the community. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). We just moved there from Oakland in February and absolutely love it! We are very excited. Canada is Beautiful Let's face it - Canada is one of the most Instagrammable (read, stunningly beautiful) places in the world. Can you give me some advice? Our oldest grandson (who is 20 years old) graduated from Benicia High School and is doing extremely well in college. Most points in downtown Martinez are (for those without mobility limitations) within walking distance of the Amtrak station. Well, maybe Nevada City! Did Californias policies drastically change in the last 10 years? The median price for a single-family home in the city was $1.65 million in May 2019. Gas is also usually $1-$2 more a gallon than most other states. I have friends in Benicia who say the schools are good, but I have not checked that out as a fact. Even when your goal is to get over to Oakland or down to San Jose, youre going to need to budget plenty of extra time to reach your destination. I know most folks like to hate on airports, but I must admit I have a pretty easy time flying into and out of California. If you dont have a car, public transportation is the breeding ground for all the above. If your teens are at all interested in sports, Benicia would be a great place for them! Obviously there are always going to be exceptions to the rule, but by and large, I feel welcomed in California in a way I dont feel welcome elsewhere. Theres so much of the state that is not La San Francisco San Diego. However, high salaries are offset by a high cost of living. Also does anyone know of resources for commuters from Benicia? We'd also love to hear about neighborhoods. Benicia is a nice little town, and the Carquinez Strait is really lovely. Most of the people we know here in Pinolego into the city or Oakland/Berkeley pretty regularly, whereas most of the people we know in Benicia don't really seem to like to cross the bridge. San Diego: The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment clocks in at a steep $2,400 and the median home price is currently $765,000 (and rising annually). My biggest concern is the social aspect. - CON: Expensive non-essentials My husband and I were starting to plan a move there at one point when we thought he'd be working in Sacramento; alas, that didn't come to fruition, but we were geared up and excited for Davis - you might want to check it out. The median home price for Benicia homes is $475,500, which is 16.2% higher than the California average. It really shows when you are out around town. You will need to deal with the tax situation when living in San Francisco. Thank you so much for your replies, we will explore Davis and also Napa . It's also fairly diverse (each person has their own definition of diverse, but as one point of evidence there are 35 different languages spoken at my child's public elementary school in Davis). It's much more of a state of mind than Pinole! The schools are well-rated. It seems we can afford Benicia, Martinez and parts of Concord. Benicia ca - The Pros and Cons of Benicia California, Moving to Benicia ca. We absolutely love this community!! My husband is a professional musician (piano player) who makes his living playing for famous(and not so famous) singers. Lucky for me, California is home to 12 international airports (including LAX, the second largest airport in America). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. We have three grandsons (ages 12, 14, and 16) who are currently attending the Benicia schools and they are all doing well and the quality of their education is excellent. He called the area Yerba Buena, and it became a popular destination for Americans in the 1840s. Youll discover that not only is it one of the best sports-related metro areas in the country, but San Francisco offers several cultural options as well. We lived in California in the past two other times, once in Lompoc and other in Monterey. The BART is a little bit of a hike, but doable. Yet another thing to be mindful of while living in California are the constant droughts. We have a Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Peet's etc. Benicia seems to have a condensed downtown with a nice mix of businesses, Pinole is closer to the city and looks to have its downtown more spread out, but also a very cultural, thriving community. Sacramento is underrated as a city---it's really on the upswing as people migrate their to escape the prices in the Bay. A wonderful place to raise a family! Benicia is known to be family friendly as more than 76% of the population has already tied the knot. Assuming that Benicia meets all of your requirements, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Benicia. Is buying and building a home in Smith River, Ca any better when it comes to the cons you stated. 4. 1. Another interesting fact is that San Francisco is one of the few large metro areas where Latinos are the majority ethnicity, with 39.1% of the population coming from this background. When you move to California, one thing will become clear very quickly California is proof that climate change is real. If so, youll be joining many other Californians in the most populous state in the country. Wefeel close to everything but also far away, if that makes any sense. 5. But if you choose to live in a city further inland, you can expect blazing hot summers. It's affortable and close to Easy Bay. Traffic inside of the city it difficult to manage at almost any time of day including the overnight hours. Therfore just to visit weekend ok but not to live in Cali. The homeless population has gotten completely out of control and is scary at this point. There is a lot of activities that you can do in the city. Hi there,We are very excited and sad to be moving from our home in the Colorado Mountains to the Bay Area. Benicia CA Real Estate & Homes For Sale 27 Agent listings 1 Other listing Sort: Homes for You 565 Lori Dr APT 5, Benicia, CA 94510 WARRING & ASSOCIATES $349,000 1 bd 1 ba 641 sqft - Condo for sale 424 Greenbrier Ct, Benicia, CA 94510 KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY-EAST BA $695,000 3 bds 2 ba 1,566 sqft - House for sale Loading. We're moving to the north bay area in couple of months. It is 45 minutes from San Francisco, three hours from Lake Tahoe, an hour from Napa, and 15 minutes from Concord, that has a vibrant night life. You can find work with Netflix, Google, Facebook, Apple, Tesla, and others if you have the correct skill set. We moved to Benicia 2 1/2 years ago from Los Angeles. I grew up in Sacramento actaully Elk Grove before all those houses were built. Every neighborhood has a couple of dog parks that offer an expansive area for leash-free running. So youre moving to California with the intention of buying a home? I think you are priced out of El Cerrito if you want to keep it under $700k, but should be able to get something nice in Pinole ifyou move quickly when you see a house you like. Overall, Valero is the economic engine of town - largest employer, taxpayer, etc. 14 Pros of Living in Vancouver, BC PRO: YVR is a fantastic airport Pro: Amazing schooling Pro: Shopping haven Pro: It's home to Stanley Park Pro: You'll always find food trucks Pro: Plenty of fun sporting events Pro: You don't need to know French Pro: The nightlife Pro: Relatively moderate weather Pro: Easy access to nature The train goes along the Bay Shore, looking out at the Golden Gate. Average temperatures vary by city, but by and large, you can expect highs around 69F in the winter and 80-85F in the summer. Benicia is a small town on the carquinez strait bordering Vallejo. (Great Pyrenees and Newfoundland; excellent conversation starters in their own right). Especially a young woman. Weather In Colombia. 24+ Pros And Cons Of Living In California (You Must Know) Characterized by the quintessential beaches, surging tides, the iconic Hollywood, palms trees, the Golden Gate Bridge, and so many more California is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable states in the United States of America. but not great in my opinion restaurants, and there are only local stores such as Raley's or Safeway. Vallejo or Benecia for commuting to Sacramento? The hipsters tend to stay in the Mission district, and then youll find the blue collar folks down by the Marina. One of the reasons why it is feasible to get around San Francisco without a vehicle is because many of the employers in the Bay Area offer free shuttle services that you can use to get to work. Benicia is a suburb of Vallejo with a population of 27,191. I think you would be much happier in Benicia; from what I know of Pinole, it is not what you seem to be looking for. Find a loan that's right for you. Select any tags that apply to this area. Regardless, I hope you find it helpful. is it still impossible to buy a house ? #5. People will generally move to the US for better education or well-paying jobs. Los Angeles is considered one of the best food cities in America. Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. JOJ, Re: affordable housing Purchasing your new home can come with many financial benefits, some of which are more lucrative than others. Or is there a bus? To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below. Benicia is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. Santa Rosa is at least an hour's drive from Vallejo. The traffic in San Francisco is legendarily terrible. As you look at each state you will see some common themes. The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay. I'd suggest spending a full day in each. Dylyn, Berkeley Parents Network, founded in 1993,isbased in Berkeley, California andis a 501(c)(3) nonprofit online network for parents in the San Francisco Bay Area. With the new Benicia Bridge that opened late last year the commute to Contra Costa County is a breeze. I couldnt agree more! The culture is also backwards in the South, things you thought were fashionable as a given- be it clothing, music, even lingo- often dont even exist there. Again, some people are bothered by this and some are not.