I take my daughter to a lot of activities in Benicia. Are people dying by the hands of the government in California or did I miss something? I was born and raised in the Monterey Bay area and forced by parents to move away. JL. You will find people in the city throughout the entire year where trying to figure out if that is what they usually wear or they are dressed up for a specific occasion. You can embrace your creativity when living in San Francisco. Several of the bars in the city will even let you bring your dog into the establishment if it isnt a busy night for them. Theres so much of the state that is not La San Francisco San Diego. I travel often for work, so access to airports is a strong consideration when moving to a new city. Google Maps likes to tell you when the next bus will arrive, but it is rarely accurate. Dont trust Google for your public transportation schedules. #5. Pros of Living in Australia One of the many benefits of living in Australia is its healthcare. Carrie. In the past year, appreciation rates for homes in the Benicia area were 5.8% and 5 year appreciation rates were 10.7%. The pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. I dont know who can afford homes anymore. If you have a dog that is coming with you to San Francisco, then both of you are in for a fantastic time. Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Redding on a regular basis. Everyone loves it; its pristine coastline, picturesque vineyards, wineries, and snow-clad Sierra Nevada Range which maintains its warm weather perfectly. Friendly people. Year after year, Los Angeles is ranked one of the 10 most congested cities in the country, with an estimated 103 hours a year spent in traffic for the average commuter. If you are trying to get somewhere during rush hour, then you need to avoid all of the highways at all costs. Even stores like Walgreens sell produce in the city. I find, though, that it is a great place for us empty nesters, too. The cost of living in Nevada is also lower than in many other states. There is a very active moms club with about 130 members. Benicia is no more than 10 minutes from Vallejo. While this is still lower than California's cost of living, it's high enough to be expensive for most people. 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). It continues to be one of the worst and deadliest earthquakes in U.S. history. There's even a bounce house for the kids! A Benicia public option is bus to Vallejo Transit Center from Benicia. Living in California is a tale of extremes extreme wealth and extreme poverty. If so, make sure to site a proper source otherwise you are not adding value to the conversation and everyones time is precious. Pros and Cons of living in Benicia, California Benicia, California Benicia, CA is #21 on the list Top 100 Best Places to Raise a Family in the West in 2023 Pros and Cons of living in Benicia, California according to Data Pros and Cons of living in Benicia, California in reviews from users in their own words: Do you live in Benicia, California? European settlers first started coming to San Francisco Bay in the early 19th century, but it wouldnt be until 1828 when Jedediah Smith crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountains that permanent settlements were considered in the area. I not ready to drop off the vine yet, but I want a lifestyle change. This could be due to factors like a faster pace of life . But it could be different on some days; I'm not sure. Since you don't need to deal with the commute into SF (which can be horrendous, from what I've heard), the only downside I can think of is that you can see the oil refinery 'stacks' from some parts of the town (the neighborhoods above the freeway), and that kind of mars some of the scenery. Housing prices everywhere are just off the charts! Wow, the houses dont even look like they should be worth that much. It doesn't feel very diverse and it doesn't really feel like it's part of the Bay Area proper. Especially a young woman. 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. Perhaps the most notable benefit could be the appreciation of your new home. You will also find some amazing mountains and wonderful outdoor activities. Again, some people are bothered by this and some are not. Most expats find that living in South Korea is an efficient way to save money. You wont earn as much and may need to commute because of it, but you can typically come out ahead with the jobs here compared to what you can find in California or the rest of the country. This goes hand-in-hand with the constant sunshine, but California has some of the mildest winters in the country. The town is very laid back, so the police officers seem to jump on any violation where they can. 5. Hi there Thanks a lot for that, it was very informative and helpful. There is very little police protection. We really like the look of homes in downtown Martinez and our commute to Richmond on the 4. I highly recommend Benicia. Cons of living in Nevada 1. People don't care about each other. The Lifestyle is Very Laid-Back Shorts, sunglasses, and sandals is the non-official uniform or "California look" of the Palm Springs lifestyle. The refineries are all ''down wind'' and don't really have any impact on your quality of life. Despite devastating fires and earthquakes in its early history, the people rebuilt the city to make it the wonderful place it is today. There are plenty of activities to enjoy when living in San Francisco. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Although its gotten more expensive (like everywhere else) this last year, its still affordable compared to other nice parts of the Bay Area. Some may even offer excursions to other parts of the peninsula and the bay so that you can get out and about on your weekend. 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. There may be a few flaws to living in Davis. JOJ, We live in Benicia and really like it. 6. We are from a small city in south florida. All Rights Reserved. Traffic and homeless is not something to fun to see they are in need of help but no one can. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. I did a year-long stint in New York City and the harsh winter made leaving an easy choice. They also have a thriving and vibrant small- town arts scene. (Great Pyrenees and Newfoundland; excellent conversation starters in their own right). It only takes one missed stop to figure that issue out. . In some areas the traffic isnt bad especially if you dont live in a big city. In Oceanside, the cost of living is 43.8% higher than the national average. 6. Many young professionals live in Benicia and residents tend to have moderate political views. Please keep in mind that this is a personal list, not everyone will feel the same way. Most restaurants tailor their menus to healthy eating instead of huge portions of high-carb foods. The median home price for Benicia homes is $475,500, which is 16.2% higher than the California average. 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. Without any friends or family waiting for me there. pros and cons plural noun 1 : arguments for and against often + of Congress weighed the pros and cons of the new tax plan. 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. One thing you quickly learn after moving to California is that you will never go hungry. 5. The country supports a universal system, and expats can expect to receive high-quality care while living here. If you choose the back part of Pinole Valley, you get to send your daughter to Ellerhorst, which is a very good school. I'm wondering if being in Martinez would actually save that much time compared with Benicia. ), and of course the accommodation itself. Employment opportunities. Hi I'm a mom with two teen boys. The downtown is indeed walkable and quite charming, and right by the water. There are about 23.6 students per teacher in Benicia. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. 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. It is very much a small town. Access to the beach It tends to be in the 50s in December, around the 80s in the summer, and youre going to get plenty of rain thanks to its position near the water. Yeah Im somewhere in a similar predicament. Have you ever consider Benicia??? Given that and the increased time and cost, I'm wondering if I should consider Martinez instead although I really wanted to be in Benicia. If you cant afford being here, even with a job offer, then maybe another destination is the right choice to make. Quality schools. Benicia is a very sleepy town with a little bid of Santa Cruz feel to it. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It has excellent schools - all but one are California Distinguished Schools and are actually in the top nationwide. My 'husband' and I want to move to either Benicia or Pinole. There is a direct transfer point to BART in Richmond. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. The cost of living in California is 49.9% above the national average, which means you have to earn significantly higher here. I couldnt agree more! Lucky for me, California is home to 12 international airports (including LAX, the second largest airport in America). If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Thanks for your candor. It has such a strong community feeling, between the residents, police and fire teams, business owners, etc. Are you thinking about moving to California? Benicia has a violent crime rate of 99 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average. The homeless population has gotten completely out of control and is scary at this point. People will generally move to the US for better education or well-paying jobs. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Redding ranks well for amenities (A+) and weather (B). ben suarez bread / joseph wiley kim burrell / pragmatic theory of truth pros and cons. We live next to Benicia, but technically are zip coded as Vallejo. Needless to say, the houses cost a lot less in Roseville! 2 : good points and bad points Each technology has its pros and cons. There is a neighborhood for everyone here, and most people can integrate into almost any living situation. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. We are looking in Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa or Fairfield/Vacaville, Concord areas. 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. I grew up in Sacramento actaully Elk Grove before all those houses were built. Both cities are relatively well-run, as these things go; I'd give Pinole the administrative edge. The perks of living in San Francisco are almost endless. 80 bus from VTC to Del Norte BART. Benicia is a nice little town, and the Carquinez Strait is really lovely. Is buying and building a home in Smith River, Ca any better when it comes to the cons you stated. Im 25 now and I guess I can say that its not the easiest for me to make new connections. If you make more than $1 million per year, then theres a 1% surtax to pay as well. That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. 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. However, each is still a "good" 45 minute drive w/o traffic to Sacramento (I had to go to Sac many times from Benicia), and a solid 30-minutes (off commute) to Berkeley, and each one has its own "feel". There is a high level of self-expression that you can find in San Francisco, and it can be a lot of fun to embrace that culture. Sales tax is the highest in the nation. California has some of the country's most beautiful beaches and with more than 800 miles of coastline you're going to have a lot to choose from. I love the East Bay especially Berkeley. We have two children under 2. If youre considering moving to California and settling further from the coast, understand that the average summer temperature exceed 95F and 100F+ days are not uncommon. 7. Pinole Valley is safe, family-friendly, and diverse. Our oldest grandson (who is 20 years old) graduated from Benicia High School and is doing extremely well in college. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. I like it a lot and it is definitely walkable and has a lot of charming small businesses on 1st street. I can highly recommend Pinole. 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. I worked a few years in downtown Benicia commuting from Berkeley this combo. 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. Benicia is one of the the best places to raise a family in the Bay Area right now. Parking is a significant problem as well. Have you considered Benicia? plus a bunch of chains and a handful of mom and pops. 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. Also fairly close to a Macys without having to get on any major highways. One thing I do miss about Berkeley/Oakland/Albany are the amazing restaurants, but my kids are little so we rarely go out anyway. Pleasant weather Abundant recreational options Easy access to fresh & healthy foods High quality of life Ample economic opportunity High cost of living Heavy tax burden Questionable governance You might even say that socialization doesnt really happen unless you bring your dog along. recommendations? You really arent a true resident of the city until youve seen someone walking down the street naked. In just two years, the population reached 25,000 people. Select any title to view the full question and replies. However, high salaries are offset by a high cost of living. An added bonus is that the town is located right on the water so you can see the ships go by, etc. . Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. I am sure things have changes since I left permanently in 1996 but Sacramento has so many suburbs so there maybe a neighborhood that is similar to Berkeley? Too many people; California being one of the most populated cities makes people scramble for the limited space in the area. If youre planning on moving to California, heres a quick recap of the pros and cons of living in California. Specialties: 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments in San Ramon, CA Welcome to Muirlands at Windemere Apartments! Not each of them applies to every state. However, it can be a little too hot for some. Benicia has a refinery and on occasion you can smell it. Find a loan that's right for you. Long days, regardless of mode of travel. Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. 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. We looked at a lot of houses in Benicia. Its also home to some of the worst performing schools in the country. You can get to the Fairfield store from Benicia without getting on busy highways. Overall, Valero is the economic engine of town - largest employer, taxpayer, etc. Let me know if you have any questions or comments below, its always a pleasure to hear from you! It seems we can afford Benicia, Martinez and parts of Concord. For comparison purposes, the average price in the United States for the same space is about $1,175 per month. I worked in Benicia for 5 years (commuting from Berkeley), and spent time in Vallejo for work purposes during that job. 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. That being said, Benicia has O.K. There is a local park that the locals are hoping the state does not close. Taxes are high in San Francisco, but this disadvantage applies to the entire state of California. In total, more than 72% of the population is classified as married and 67% have kids. 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. Chose Glen Cove over Benicia, Re: Safe, family--oriented neighborhood? A reasonable cost of living, good schools, family-friendly activities, and decent weather are the major draws to the city. There are a lot of gorgeous aspects of San Francisco to love, but the issues the city has with heroin and meth are quite problematic. My aunt lives in Sacramento and I refuse to visit her in summer because I just cant deal with the oppressing heat. At the beginning of 2021, the median home price was around $382,000. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. You expressed some of the cons which I forgot about, such as income tax and of course the homelessness. We have a Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Peet's etc. We moved to Benicia 2 1/2 years ago from Los Angeles. Hello and welcome to the Bay! Because of the citys location near fault lines, there is always the lingering threat of the Big One that exists in residents minds.