Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and the overall sense of community. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. it seems that everyone who lives here knows how special this place is and wants to take care of it. pragmatic theory of truth pros and cons - The Weather Northern California is home to a lot of wonderful weather. Regardless, I hope you find it helpful. If you're looking for a broker, the woman we worked with, Brenda Turner-Adams, was awesome. Also does anyone know of resources for commuters from Benicia? San Francisco is one of the best dog-friendly cities in the United States. Have you looked at Benicia? Have you ever consider Benicia??? Mountain living is ideal for people who appreciate peace, quiet, and the chance to inhabit their own little slice of mostly untouched nature. It doesn't feel very diverse and it doesn't really feel like it's part of the Bay Area proper. If your teens are at all interested in sports, Benicia would be a great place for them! My friend who lives in Benicia says she would not make that decision again. When you do need to travel somewhere, using an Uber or Lyft is still affordable. The town puts on wonderful holiday celebrations and the entire town comes out to celebrate. Pros and Cons: What It's Like Living in Palm Springs - California Thanks. Yes, Florida is much cheaper than California because the cost of living is just 1% higher than the national average. Our (only) son went off to OSU (Oregon)3 years ago. Select any title to view the full question and replies. In addition to the high sales and income taxes, California also has the highest gas prices in the country too. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. We live in Benicia, and moved here for the great schools. What Are some Pros and Cons of Living in Northern California Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Benicia are simply unattainable. Dont trust Google for your public transportation schedules. One feature that Martinez has that Benicia does not have is a direct connection on Amtrak from Jack London Square (or West Berkeley). Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. Hi! Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. (Yikes!!) We actaully have a daughter who goes to a school in North Berkeley so I drive down everyday. 10 Pros and Cons of Living in Wisconsin - Redfin People from Martinez drive, at least as far as my acquaintance goes. Just my opinion. Half Moon Bay is only thirty minutes to the east of the city. 5. Fitness is a priority in San Francisco. When weighing the pros and cons of living in Dallas, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. Heres a quick breakdown of the median home prices for the three major cities in California: San Francisco: The median home price in San Francisco is $1.4 million and the city also has the highest rent in the country. You can walk to the local park, but everything else is about 1.5 miles away. 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.. Without any friends or family waiting for me there. Over 80% of the city was destroyed at the time, 3,000 people were killed, and 250,000 were left homeless. Our budget is around $2200 a month. You'll have access to amenities like an extensive trail system . Even having a sourdough bread bowl filled with chowder while enjoying a view of Alcatraz makes for a memorable day. Don't drive 29 miles/hr in a 25 mile zone, 'cause the cops will ticket you immediately. I really feel like Pinole is one of the "best kept secrets" here in the Bay, and my husband and I joke that it must have a cloaking device on it or something. The economy across the entire Bay Area is on fire right now. There are two NFL teams in the region as well. 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. Dont base your schedule on what it tells you. Hear what they say to your face then listen closely what they say behind your back. Can you tell us about the schools? Living in Benicia | Berkeley Parents Network If you make more than $1 million per year, then theres a 1% surtax to pay as well. Based on violent and property crime rates. The employment boom thanks to Silicon Valley and the other high-tech industries in the area makes it one of the most robust economies in the country right now. When James Marshall discovered gold in the area, a surge of people came to make their fortune. 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 The weather is tolerable year-round and allows you to enjoy the great outdoors or regardless of the season save for summer, but well cover that shortly. One more thing, I thought of living there in a roommates apartment. You can also find affordable rentals around the state in popular cities like Henderson, where a two-bedroom apartment averages around $1,700. Moving back and priced out of Alameda - West CC or Solano County? If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Redding ranks well for amenities (A+) and weather (B). However, it is a great middle ground for a road trip. 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. 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. They both have advantages of amazing views from many neighborhoods. House very expensive old features. Hands down, one of my favorite things about living in California is the diversity of the people. 4. In addition to being a great spot in the state of Georgia, it is also a great spot in the United States. Neither town is great for commuting to Oakland. Carrie. The downtown area is pretty flat, so it is perfect for strolling around or bicycling. I'd suggest spending a full day in each. There are two Macy's stores near Benicia - one in Concord (about 15 miles away) and the other in Fairfield (also about 15 miles away.) If you want to save some cash by ditching the vehicle, then San Francisco has you covered with its public transportation system. The state has a fairly relaxed vibe to it, people seem to move at a slower pace. highest homeless populations in the country, most expensive cities in America for home buyers, 7 EPIC Places to Visit in Death Valley (With 4-Wheel Drive), 20 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in Tucson (Locals Advice), 15 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in Los Angeles, California. 4. 8. 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. pros and cons plural noun 1 : arguments for and against often + of Congress weighed the pros and cons of the new tax plan. You can also make it to Napa Valley in about an hour when heading to the north. California has an astounding state income tax of up to 13.3%, which makes the tax burned of living in California one of the worst in America. 9. A Benicia public option is bus to Vallejo Transit Center from Benicia. The median sale price is $407,500, which is lower than neighboring state of California. There are plenty of opportunities for you to create a startup in this environment as well. By 1900, that figure had doubled again. Vallejo or Benecia for commuting to Sacramento? #5. From the striking sunny coastline of Southern California to the towering cliffs of Big Sur, youll be privy to every natural wonder in between. Living In California Vs Florida: Pros And Cons In 2023 - Budget Travel Buff I spent some time there when we lived in the East Bay because there's a Chuck E. Cheese there that my kids liked, plus there was a Catholic shop downtown that I frequented on occasion. I'm wondering if being in Martinez would actually save that much time compared with Benicia. A lot of people don't even know Benicia exists, but it was the state capital in the 1850's so has some interesting history. Traffic inside of the city it difficult to manage at almost any time of day including the overnight hours. 6. Everyone is welcome, no matter what your race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status happens to be. 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. 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. We lived in California in the past two other times, once in Lompoc and other in Monterey. A couple of them are atypical learners/creative types. Lucky for me, California is home to 12 international airports (including LAX, the second largest airport in America). However, a high crime rate, high cost for shelter, and lagging economy might be a problem. We were looking for a family friendly community with good schools in the area and we stumbled upon Benicia. Our initial concern about this town is that there is a refinery , but it hasn't bothered us at all since we've been here (about 6 months). Can you give me some advice? That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. We just moved there from Oakland in February and absolutely love it! I have heard very good things about the Cameron School, in El Cerrito,which offers speech therapy and preschool style classes for students who qualify in WCCUSD. This could be due to factors like a faster pace of life . Get some big dogs and move to Benicia! Benicia is a little gem that gets overlooked because of the nearby refineries. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. It seems we can afford Benicia, Martinez and parts of Concord. Unlike wills, trusts require that you give up direct ownership of that property. Antioch reminds me of Elk Grove now. Pros of Living in California: The Amazing Weather That Always Brings a Smile to Your Face: There is no one I can find who complains about California's weather. That means it has more influence than the United Kingdom, which has 26 million more people contributing to the GDP. If youre in the film industry you probably already know that Los Angeles is the place to be. It might be a city of transplants, but no one really cares about that here. Benicia is right on the water, so there are many small beaches to stroll along, and there is a long pier that is a popular place to walk down. Benicia, CA - Niche We will be renting. The weather is always nice enough in San Francisco to get outside, so youll see people enjoying the outdoors through hiking and cycling. - CON: Expensive non-essentials People there either take the 80 express bus to SF, or drive to Del Norte BART, park there, and BART into SF from there. I not ready to drop off the vine yet, but I want a lifestyle change. 14 Pros and Cons of Living in Europe You Need to Know Monica, My family is hoping to buy a home soon. Con: Difficulty with access 5. BART to downtown Oakland. I couldnt agree more! If you do, we have the highest gas prices in the nation, along with the high insurance costs that are required by law (as it should be) or you cant register your vehicle. 20 Pros And Cons Of Living In Vancouver, BC Canada - Nina Out and About Actually sales tax was less there than the state Im in now (Louisiana)- so was car insurance. Find a loan that's right for you. Hope this helps! If there is anything else you like to know please email me at aware1967 [at] yahoo.com. 10 Pros and Cons of Living in California Right Now Whenever I visit other cities, Im constantly met with enjoy your visit, but dont move here which stopped being funny in 2010. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. 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. For comparison purposes, the average price in the United States for the same space is about $1,175 per month. Both times we were military and received housing allowance. California has the largest network of public schools of any US state, but you know what else? Not sure which area would be best. California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and its not hard to see why. But it could be different on some days; I'm not sure. The Lifestyle is Very Laid-Back Shorts, sunglasses, and sandals is the non-official uniform or "California look" of the Palm Springs lifestyle. Benicia City Hall, 250 East L Street Benicia, CA 94510 Phone: (707) 746-4200, Open: Monday - Thursday from: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and alternating Fridays, Finance Department Open: Monday Thursday from: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and alternating Fridays, Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, Objective Standards for Mixed Use and Multifamily Housing, Public Information Bank - Hazardous Materials. Employment opportunities. The best areas in Benicia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Benicia is a nice little town, and the Carquinez Strait is really lovely. We have two children under 2. Pros and Cons of Moving to South Korea | Expat Arrivals At present, California is the worst state in the country for fire dangers. Benicia ca - The Pros and Cons of Benicia California, Moving to Benicia ca. I recall a particularly bad stretch where residents were asked to save shower water to water plants. All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). We are also less than 20mins away from Napa. 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. The best areas in Redding and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. 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. And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. There are unique offerings in each area, with a lot of pros and cons to consider with each one, but there are also stereotypes that youll want to consider. you did not mention is the California Government. You will always find people out with their pets during the day, enjoying the sunny weather in the city when it arrives. If youre planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, its nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. Heres the stats on traffic for the three most populous cities in California: Los Angeles horrendous traffic is known the world over and the proof is in the pudding. It would be fair to say that the Bay to Breakers festival is more like a second Halloween for adults to enjoy. I was born and raised in the East Bay. The median home cost in Benicia is Real Estate: $763,400. Good luck on your move! 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. and a Pain It generally costs more time and money to set up and fund a revocable living trust than to simply write a willas much as three times more, at least initially. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. I would love feedback. While knowing about the availability of Disney parks is useful, it would not be my reason for moving across the country to pay high taxes. The Capitol Corridor trains run several times each day, although the latest one to Oakland leaves Martinez at about 10:30 p.m. My aunt lives in Sacramento and I refuse to visit her in summer because I just cant deal with the oppressing heat. I hate to burst your bubble, but lets look at the numbers. Yet another perk of living in California is seldom feeling rushed. 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. Living in Redding, CA Redding, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 91,320 inhabitants. 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? Its hard to enjoy everything the state has to offer if you arent bringing in a considerable annual income. Did Californias policies drastically change in the last 10 years? Taxes too high. 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. In Redding, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 18.8% lower than the California average. It is very much a small town. Living in Benicia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. We are from a small city in south florida. You will need to deal with the tax situation when living in San Francisco. Making the effort to think through all possible pros and cons of a given course of. And 5 reasons not to live in California. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You cant beat the weather and people who live here love it. Since Im being honest, Id like to point out that wildfires will become a part of your daily vocabulary while living in California. 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. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Spacious new 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartment homes offer high-quality kitchen appliances, private patios or balconies and plentiful storage. Benicia is in Solano County. It continues to be one of the worst and deadliest earthquakes in U.S. history. Benicia, California . Pros and Cons of living in Benicia, California 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 Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living. With a livability score of 62/100, Redding is ranked #21,245 in the United States and #856 in California. See, I can't say enough good things about it. That places it just one spot behind Los Angeles and one spot ahead of Switzerland yes, the country. 80 bus from VTC to Del Norte BART. And it's one of the most underrated, which means it's not as full of tourists as other places, like Montreal and Vancouver. Non-Latino Caucasians represent 37.2% of the population. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. Others involve nothing more than the persons birthday suit. Especially a young woman. He called the area Yerba Buena, and it became a popular destination for Americans in the 1840s.