Ill be the first to admit I dont know what the right solution for homelessness is, but I want to be transparent about it for anyone considering moving to California because you will notice it on a daily basis. Access to the beach Our kids are 15, 13, 11 and 8, so high school, middle and elementary. There is no way I can be a home owner in this day and age. Selecting a category below will take you to another page. I mean, its no coincidence that California has more national parks than any other state and draws millions of visitors annually. It has wonderful parks, a great community, very good public schools and the town itself is just a gem. Another really fun event is the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Over the past 10 years, theres been a unified anti-California resentment in other states where residents blame Californians single-handedly for the rise in home prices across the country. Everyone gathers at the green field at the end of 1st Street and watches the fire works. Hmm. I originally thought I could work primarily from home, but now it appears I will have to go into the office in downtown Oakland several times a week. Unfortunately, my pay will only be just over 6 figures and everything I am reading in post sounds like I might be living in a tent. Benicia has a violent crime rate of 99 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average. I suggest that you try looking at Davis. Los Angeles and San Francisco are international hubs with awesome dining options, but many of the smaller cities have restaurants worth writing home about too. But it could be different on some days; I'm not sure. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. Ive been living with roommates for a few years now, Btw, it will be relevant only in about a year and a halfe, I have to finish my degree here first, but I still want to wrap my head around it and I would love to get your input. The 1906 earthquake that devastated San Francisco was estimated to be 7.9 8.25 with extreme shaking. Thanks to its temperate climate, it is also one of the best walking communities in the United States. My biggest concern is the social aspect. We'd also love to hear about neighborhoods. Los Angeles is considered one of the best food cities in America. The discrepancy between the haves and the have-nots is painstakingly clear on the streets and practically impossible to avoid while living in California. I did a year-long stint in New York City and the harsh winter made leaving an easy choice. Assuming that Benicia meets all of your requirements, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Benicia. Weather In Colombia. I was born and raised in the East Bay. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. Specialties: 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments in San Ramon, CA Welcome to Muirlands at Windemere Apartments! Quality schools. I never felt the need to join a mom's club, or something, 'cause I met so many people just by walking downtown, going to the parks or doing my groceries. 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. 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. Rent is ridiculous and taxes will take up to 60% of your income. Google Maps likes to tell you when the next bus will arrive, but it is rarely accurate. I'm considering a move to Benicia in the next few months. 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. The core downtown area is kinda cute, but Benicia's got it beat by a landslide. 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. Fitness is a priority in San Francisco. Benicia is looking like where we might land. Thanks. Your property taxes are going to be higher if you own too since the property values are skyrocketing in the city. You'll have access to amenities like an extensive trail system . However, it is very much an island mentality, insular/small community, and you have to cross a bridge at $5/pop to get to the Bay Area. Windemere has all the desired conveniences-including shopping, dining, freeways and BART. Manage Settings There are two NFL teams in the region as well. 25 Pros and Cons of Living in San Diego There are many positive aspects of residing in San Diego including these that are worth mentioning: 1. You really arent a true resident of the city until youve seen someone walking down the street naked. This disadvantage can theoretically apply to anyone living along the western coast of the United States, but there are more tremors in San Francisco that you can feel when compared to other locations. If you live downtown, you can walk to everything without a car. A reasonable cost of living, good schools, family-friendly activities, and decent weather are the major draws to the city. There are tons of community events, it is very safe, has that small-town feeling and is still affordable. Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. The train goes along the Bay Shore, looking out at the Golden Gate. We're moving to the north bay area in couple of months. 4. I totally agree with you I have lived in many places (states) myself I currently reside in California for the past 17 years and everything you say is totally true Plus there ever increasing earthquakes in the sea level is rising It is sad to see the homeless living here and there but Ive also heard of some of them breaking in some of these empty houses (people are being kicked out they could not pay the extreme increase for the rent) I live in Acampo but I have to drive to Stockton for a client and his neighbor finally got his home back from the homeless it was taken from him for years His neighbor was wanting to move and get out of California and his house was left vacant so they took over and he cant do nothing about it, Thanks for the honest information. Some places in Florida have been ranked 8% lower to 18% higher in cost compared to the average American city. Please keep in mind that this is a personal list, not everyone will feel the same way. Perhaps the most notable benefit could be the appreciation of your new home. It's much more of a state of mind than Pinole! Youll have a plethora of Micheline-Star restaurants and phenomenal cheap eats to choose from. Checking rates won't affect your credit score. You can also catch the NBA, NHL, and MLS when living in the city. However, it is a great middle ground for a road trip. Monica, My family is hoping to buy a home soon. 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. When you can make ends meet, you will find that this city is one of the most magical places to be on the planet. Great parks. California would have the fifth-largest economy in the world if the state were an independent nation. 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. I honestly cant recall the last summer where imminent wildfire danger didnt stress me out. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose. Suburb Population 27,191 People from Martinez drive, at least as far as my acquaintance goes. They also have a thriving and vibrant small- town arts scene. 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. Not sure which area would be best. 2. If you choose the back part of Pinole Valley, you get to send your daughter to Ellerhorst, which is a very good school. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. Rental rates. Im 25 now and I guess I can say that its not the easiest for me to make new connections. The pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. You have to drive to Concord or Fairfield for a Trader Joes, and the closest Whole Foods is in Napa or Walnut Creek. 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. Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and expert insights. Kathy, Re: considering a move to Sacramento In just two years, the population reached 25,000 people. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. You can find plenty of small shops, museums, and points of interest that will captivate your attention. Making the effort to think through all possible pros and cons of a given course of. 5. Cons of living in Nevada 1. Never noticed till gone for awhile, but a lot of the kindness and friendliness is a phoney act. And 5 reasons not to live in California. The town puts on wonderful holiday celebrations and the entire town comes out to celebrate. Good Stuff. Carrie. 3. You are going to need some cash to make things happen if you want to start living here. Also fairly close to a Macys without having to get on any major highways. Niche may be compensated by the third party lenders and others who place ads on the website. Immigrationgeez. Human trafficking is ramped. Several apartment complexes and condos offer these areas as well. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. It has such a strong community feeling, between the residents, police and fire teams, business owners, etc. 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. 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? - CON: Expensive non-essentials Though it is a suburb of Vallejo, it is significantly different. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Benicia ranks well for amenities (A+), crime (A), weather (B+), education (B-) and employment (B). The Pros And Cons Of Living In Each State. Not others. Although its gotten more expensive (like everywhere else) this last year, its still affordable compared to other nice parts of the Bay Area. California is home to nine national parks, which means it has more national parks than any other state in America, including Alaska! They both have advantages of amazing views from many neighborhoods. Therfore just to visit weekend ok but not to live in Cali. She's lived in Benicia for over 30 years, I think, so she is really knowledgeable about the area, and she never, ever pressured us. An added bonus is that the town is located right on the water so you can see the ships go by, etc. In Oceanside, the cost of living is 43.8% higher than the national average. My aunt lives in Sacramento and I refuse to visit her in summer because I just cant deal with the oppressing heat. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. 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. Pros and cons of living in Wisconsin: Bottom line. The economy in San Francisco keeps humming along. This is a city that is often said to be a "love it or hate it" type . 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. Living In. Non-Latino Caucasians represent 37.2% of the population. Pinole has easy access to the rest of the Bay Area but much more limited bay access. Youll notice that there is a different flow to the traffic as well. In fact, most of my friends and neighbors in LA were part-time actors who spent most of their free time looking for gigs. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. Hard to complain about that! What's the crime rate in Benicia California? Perhaps one of my favorite things about living in California is the constant sunshine. Some of the top places you can visit by hopping into your car include Napa and Sonoma, Yosemite, Muir Woods, Lassen National Park, Reno and Tahoe, or Apple Hill. Let me know if you have any questions or comments below, its always a pleasure to hear from you! There is very little police protection. Wefeel close to everything but also far away, if that makes any sense. I love the East Bay especially Berkeley. We are very excited. what if i am moving to cali for a decent paying tech job ? Costco is close by, and plenty of Starbucks. The cost of living in California is 49.9% above the national average, which means you have to earn significantly higher here. There are about 23.6 students per teacher in Benicia. The median price for a single-family home in the city was $1.65 million in May 2019. There is no doubt that living in San Francisco is expense. The cost of living in San Francisco is equally high. We live next to Benicia, but technically are zip coded as Vallejo. It's affortable and close to Easy Bay. I live in Benicia. Otherwise I personally would prefer not to be commuting to SF from Benicia or Martinez because of lack of transit options. Another vote for the Amtrak Capitol from Martinez to Oakland. I highly recommend Benicia. I only was able to buy a house the 2nd time due to moving there during the recession- the same house I bought for $210 in 08 now would go for around $400K- it was only 1,200 sq ft. Id like to move back, but my salary of just over 100K just really wont cut it most anywhere- at least to buy a descent house that isnt a 500K shack! Many employers offer free shuttles and other transportation services. Just an FYI that Amtrak runs from Martinez to Jack London Sq in Oakland - so that might be another option. If you are trying to get somewhere during rush hour, then you need to avoid all of the highways at all costs. Well done, well said and bravo for being honest. Also does anyone know of resources for commuters from Benicia? I travel often for work, so access to airports is a strong consideration when moving to a new city. All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. Employment opportunities. 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. Over 80% of the city was destroyed at the time, 3,000 people were killed, and 250,000 were left homeless. Strong and Growing Arts and Culture There is plenty of culture, art, and science to explore in San Diego, especially at Balboa Park. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). This may be the most honest review of anything (period) Ive ever read on the internet. 8. The pros and cons of living in San Francisco will always look at the cost first. 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. When James Marshall discovered gold in the area, a surge of people came to make their fortune. 2. One thing I do miss about Berkeley/Oakland/Albany are the amazing restaurants, but my kids are little so we rarely go out anyway. Without any friends or family waiting for me there. Climate. Like do people carpool from Benicia to BART? You can also make it to Napa Valley in about an hour when heading to the north. We were looking for a family friendly community with good schools in the area and we stumbled upon Benicia. A wonderful place to raise a family! It's definitely cheaper than Berkeley, safe, quiet, but with a great ''old town'' downtown. At the beginning of 2021, the median home price was around $382,000. The best areas in Benicia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. 30 Pros and Cons of Living in the UK 1. If you cant afford being here, even with a job offer, then maybe another destination is the right choice to make. The town gets two big thumbs up from me!!! 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". Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. Wow, the houses dont even look like they should be worth that much. From the striking sunny coastline of Southern California to the towering cliffs of Big Sur, youll be privy to every natural wonder in between. Benicia ca - The Pros and Cons of Benicia California, Moving to Benicia ca. Everyone loves it; its pristine coastline, picturesque vineyards, wineries, and snow-clad Sierra Nevada Range which maintains its warm weather perfectly. San Francisco was named one of the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world in 2019. The hills can wear out your legs if youre not used to them, but taking advantage of the weather and the natural beauty of the community makes for a wonderful experience. If there is anything else you like to know please email me at aware1967 [at] yahoo.com. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. Posted on February 27, 2023 by laguardia airport food terminal c But these are the things most people are looking for. Disadvantages of a Living Trust Funding a Trust Is Expensive . The Davis Farmers' Market has been named the best in the country, and for good reason. I grew up in Sacramento actaully Elk Grove before all those houses were built. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. Not as familiar with the central county high schools. In addition to the high sales and income taxes, California also has the highest gas prices in the country too. 20 Pros and Cons of Living in Halifax, Canada Pro: It's One of the Most Beautiful Places Nova Scotia is one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada. The year over year appreciation rates in Redding were 4.4%, and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 6.4%. Traffic inside of the city it difficult to manage at almost any time of day including the overnight hours. On a less positive note, Benicia does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F) and housing (D). Neighborhood define you in San Francisco. All three of the major cities in California clock in as some of the most expensive cities in the entire country. He called the area Yerba Buena, and it became a popular destination for Americans in the 1840s. And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. Sales tax is the highest in the nation. (Yikes!!) Then, if your bus is going through Chinatown, expect a lengthy delay. Despite devastating fires and earthquakes in its early history, the people rebuilt the city to make it the wonderful place it is today. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. 7. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Redding are simply unattainable. The economy across the entire Bay Area is on fire right now. I would also love any information you can give about that in relation to California. Sorry Cali. 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. 4. She treated us super well and drove us around to give us a feel of the entire town. 1. Pro: The NHS Means (Mostly) Free Healthcare Con: But It's Super Slow Pro: Cheap Airlines Mean More Travel Con: But Expensive Visas Mean Less Accessibility Pro: Easy Access to Europe Con: Brexit and Politics Pro: Snow is Nothing Compared to Canada Con: The Weather is Miserable Pro: Adorable Cottage Homes And these are just prices for flights! Tax ID:46-4347971, About BPN Contact BPN Credits Terms of Use, Connecting Bay Area families online since 1993, Daycares & Preschools with Current Openings, Parent Classes, Workshops & Groups with Openings, Advice about Classes, Camps, Groups, & Tutors. There is a nice little downtown area, and a lot of activities sponsored by the park and recreation (you can check out their brochure on-line). That places it just one spot behind Los Angeles and one spot ahead of Switzerland yes, the country. He arranges charts, rehearses and plays shows(mostly Cabaret and standards). I know some folks who live in Benicia and have spent a good bit of time there. I can highly recommend Pinole. is ashley mcarthur still married, is grapefruit seed extract safe for cats,