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. Rent is ridiculous and taxes will take up to 60% of your income. P.S. Living in Benicia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. 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. I recall a particularly bad stretch where residents were asked to save shower water to water plants. 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 travel often for work, so access to airports is a strong consideration when moving to a new city. Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. People in the city take this issue very seriously. By 1900, that figure had doubled again. you did not mention is the California Government. 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. Copyright © 2023 Embrace Someplace | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. About half of the buses also require that you step down into the steps to get the back door to open. A Travel Website About Portland and Oregon. Thanks again, really appreciate it . Based on violent and property crime rates. happy empty nesters. Sign up for a yoga class on the beach and see what all the hype is about. We lived in Benicia for 10 yrs and we made the big mistake of moving away from it. They also have a thriving and vibrant small- town arts scene. It might be worthwhile to consider commuting if you can manage the traffic situation in the city. Half Moon Bay is only thirty minutes to the east of the city. 2c. 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. 3. 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). Kathy, Re: considering a move to Sacramento Living in Redding can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the town. Santa Rosa is at least an hour's drive from Vallejo. Without any friends or family waiting for me there. Did you ever live in any other state for any amount of time? I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. 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.. 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? San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living . (Great Pyrenees and Newfoundland; excellent conversation starters in their own right). That places it just one spot behind Los Angeles and one spot ahead of Switzerland yes, the country. The state has a fairly relaxed vibe to it, people seem to move at a slower pace. When you can make ends meet, you will find that this city is one of the most magical places to be on the planet. Long days, regardless of mode of travel. 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. Mountain living is ideal for people who appreciate peace, quiet, and the chance to inhabit their own little slice of mostly untouched nature. Some places in Florida have been ranked 8% lower to 18% higher in cost compared to the average American city. Housing prices everywhere are just off the charts! Everyone gathers at the green field at the end of 1st Street and watches the fire works. Im guessing youve never live on your own. 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. Living in PR means, you will be living in lines for everything as well. If you want to eat out while living in the city, then be prepared to pay much more than what the average American spends for the privilege. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. Waisting paycheck to move to Cali. But moving here is a bad idea. If I need Berkeley or SF fix, we just drive down and can be on the Bay Bridge in 20mins with no traffic. Never noticed till gone for awhile, but a lot of the kindness and friendliness is a phoney act. Benicia, CA is a seaside town that people think of when they think "getaway vacation". The city has a population of 27,780 people. 21 Pros and Cons of Living in Sacramento, California - Vittana It's 20 plus minutes to the Bay Bridge and 10 mins or so to Walnut Creek so it's not a bad commute and there is a ferry service into the city. 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). Carrie. How safe is benicia? Explained by FAQ Blog I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. As another poster mentioned, with either Benicia or Martinez you would have to drive to Pleasant Hill Bart. 8. While there is a progressive faction in town, there is also a strong uh less progressive group. Selecting a category below will take you to another page. There is no way I can be a home owner in this day and age. My goal is to be part of a pretty active community in a walkable charming old seaport town. Im glad Im not the only one feeling this. 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. Everyone is welcome, no matter what your race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status happens to be. Human trafficking is ramped. My hubby will be working in vallejo. I think it is considered a ''safe'' town, and it is convenient to the Vallejo Ferry or casual carpool for commuting into the city. The median sale price is $407,500, which is lower than neighboring state of California. Thank you so much for your replies, we will explore Davis and also Napa . Fairfield is probably 20 minutes away and Vacaville is about 30 minutes away. Employment opportunities. 1. Can you give me some advice? Our budget is around $2200 a month. pragmatic theory of truth pros and cons 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. If you want to save some cash by ditching the vehicle, then San Francisco has you covered with its public transportation system. About Benicia. 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. Calculated annually per 100,000 residents. Well I live in Placerville California and Ive lived in Yosemite and weed and a lot of different places and let me tell you that not all parts of the state have mild Winters or constant sunshine or High cost of living or poor performing public schools. Not each of them applies to every state. Thanks. 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!!! The income tax rate is one of the highest in the country at 12.3%, even though that rate only applies to taxable income above $572,000. 4. what if i am moving to cali for a decent paying tech job ? Living In California Vs Florida: Pros And Cons In 2023 - Budget Travel Buff This is a city that is often said to be a "love it or hate it" type . Needless to say, the houses cost a lot less in Roseville! Immigrationgeez. Most expats find that living in South Korea is an efficient way to save money. You can also find affordable rentals around the state in popular cities like Henderson, where a two-bedroom apartment averages around $1,700. We moved to Benicia 2 1/2 years ago from Los Angeles. Pros and Cons of Moving to South Korea | Expat Arrivals The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. Which city would you recommend social wise? When making a big move. Official Website of the City of Benicia, California. We lived there for 10 years and I actually miss it tremendously. The median price for a single-family home in the city was $1.65 million in May 2019. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. Everything from fashion to film and tech is covered pretty well in California, so you honestly wont have much a reason to be bored. There are so many transplants here that its hard to pin down what a real Californian is these days so anyone can pass for one. Quality schools. You are going to need some cash to make things happen if you want to start living here. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Redding are simply unattainable. I have great news, you should be able to stave off boredom while living in California because theres never a shortage of fun things to do! Traffic inside of the city it difficult to manage at almost any time of day including the overnight hours. It has such a strong community feeling, between the residents, police and fire teams, business owners, etc. You can get to the Fairfield store from Benicia without getting on busy highways. This could be due to factors like a faster pace of life . The town is very laid back, so the police officers seem to jump on any violation where they can. As you can imagine, theres definitely pockets of homogeneous areas and neighborhoods, but if you dont live in the ritzy part of town, youll find it easy to make friends with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. Our (only) son went off to OSU (Oregon)3 years ago. Disadvantages of a Living Trust Funding a Trust Is Expensive . The state is overcrowded. Perhaps one of my favorite things about living in California is the constant sunshine. There may be a few flaws to living in Davis. All three of Californias major cities rank as being some of the most diverse in America. Benicia has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #160 in California and #4,047 in the USA. Benicia ca - The Pros and Cons of Benicia California, Moving to Benicia ca. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! beautiful parks and the social activities in town are always wonderful. It can be a challenge to get used to the weather in San Francisco. A Benicia public option is bus to Vallejo Transit Center from Benicia. I'm wondering if being in Martinez would actually save that much time compared with Benicia. Many employers offer free shuttles and other transportation services. The best areas in Redding and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. There might be a neighborhood for everyone to find in San Francisco, but where you choose to live is going to become the definition of who you are. 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. 6. There is an 'island mentality' I noticed; 'crossing the bridge' to the rest of the Bay Area just feels like a big deal to a Benician. Our oldest grandson (who is 20 years old) graduated from Benicia High School and is doing extremely well in college. Cost of Living in Benicia, California - Best Places Living in Dallas: Pros and Cons to Consider | Landing Some costumes in the city are elaborate. Many young professionals live in Benicia and residents tend to have moderate political views. Others involve nothing more than the persons birthday suit. Benicia City Hall, 250 East L Street Benicia, CA 94510 Phone: (707) 746-4200 There is very little police protection. One feature that Martinez has that Benicia does not have is a direct connection on Amtrak from Jack London Square (or West Berkeley). We live next to Benicia, but technically are zip coded as Vallejo. 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. Fitness is a priority in San Francisco. Perhaps the most notable benefit could be the appreciation of your new home. It also feels much less crowded here than it does everywhere else. California is not the place you want to come to without knowing anybody. He called the area Yerba Buena, and it became a popular destination for Americans in the 1840s. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Redding ranks well for amenities (A+) and weather (B). And it's one of the most underrated, which means it's not as full of tourists as other places, like Montreal and Vancouver. It seems we can afford Benicia, Martinez and parts of Concord. Checking rates won't affect your credit score. But it could be different on some days; I'm not sure. At least you wont be shoveling snow by the foot like people to the north are during the winter months from the same storms. Benicia is a little gem that gets overlooked because of the nearby refineries. I like your negative points. The cost of living in California is 49.9% above the national average, which means you have to earn significantly higher here. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. Get some big dogs and move to Benicia! I think Hercules High is pretty strong (that is my school district). Even if you want a studio apartment, you're going to be paying more than $2,000 per month to live in the city. Davis makes the most sense. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. The downtown area is pretty flat, so it is perfect for strolling around or bicycling. Thanks for your candor. There is a lot of activities that you can do in the city. Benicia is in Solano County. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Pros and cons of living in Oceanside, California There is always the threat of an earthquake to consider in the city. Canada is Beautiful Let's face it - Canada is one of the most Instagrammable (read, stunningly beautiful) places in the world. Also, I am not aware of any arts scene in Pinole, though of course I could be wrong. I don't think I could ever find a more lovely town. I take my daughter to a lot of activities in Benicia. Benicia has a refinery and on occasion you can smell it. Are people dying by the hands of the government in California or did I miss something? Benicia's schools are arguably better. 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. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and the overall sense of community. The Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States. Some people have found that it is cheaper for them to fly into the city, stay in a hotel for their five days of work, and then fly home for the weekend its that crazy. There is no doubt that living in San Francisco is expense. Youll notice that there is a different flow to the traffic as well. Explore the dramatic desert in the Mojave, the granite cliffs of Yosemite National Park, the towering trees in Redwood National Park or the rolling hills of Napa Valley and youll see what all the fuss is about. Knowing if your home will appreciate on a long term or even a short term basis should be factored into your decision making. 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. You dont even need to make a drive to a national park if youre not feeling up to it because youll still be privy to incredible nature that surrounds most cities in California, this is a nature enthusiasts dream. Climate. Benicia is known to be family friendly as more than 76% of the population has already tied the knot. The ease of travel and the incredibly low prices are only challenged by Southeast Asia, but even there it'll be more expensive because of the longer distances. 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. Yet another thing to be mindful of while living in California are the constant droughts. My biggest concern is the social aspect. 20 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in California - EMBRACE SOMEPLACE But back to CA- cost of housing is the biggest drawback for me. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. These are the pros and cons of living in San Francisco today that are worth considering. The Pros and Cons of Revocable Living Trusts - The Balance It has excellent schools - all but one are California Distinguished Schools and are actually in the top nationwide. The best areas in Benicia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Unless you live in a high-elevation area, youll seldom see snow and can count on sunshine even in the dead of winter. Thank you! 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. 1. I'm considering a move to Benicia in the next few months. 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. There is a direct transfer point to BART in Richmond. The country supports a universal system, and expats can expect to receive high-quality care while living here. Living in Puerto Rico - Pros Cons and Cost of Living - WTS It's a great location; pretty much 30-40 mins from Oakland, SF, Napa And with the "new" bridge, only 20 mins to downtown Walnut Creek. Ideal places in Sonoma County to move with a toddler, Looking to relocate/Schools & Commute in Hercules, Concord, Martinez. Hmm. Yes, Florida is much cheaper than California because the cost of living is just 1% higher than the national average. If so, youll be joining many other Californians in the most populous state in the country. What Are some Pros and Cons of Living in Northern California For comparison purposes, the average price in the United States for the same space is about $1,175 per month. 12 Pros And Cons Of Living In California: Must-Read Before Moving To CA Re: Moving to a cheaper area now that kids are gone Private studio with shared pool - 8,000,000 - 12,000,000 IDR. it seems that everyone who lives here knows how special this place is and wants to take care of it. And these are just prices for flights! Thanks. Based on the housing stock, population density, and the proximity of amenities of the area. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions. It's definitely cheaper than Berkeley, safe, quiet, but with a great ''old town'' downtown. Overall, most people seem to be okay with living in Chico. Im a California native and have lived in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco over the past ten years. I have 2 young sons and we absolutely love it here! In total, more than 72% of the population is classified as married and 67% have kids. The Capitol Corridor trains run several times each day, although the latest one to Oakland leaves Martinez at about 10:30 p.m. Living in Redding, CA Redding, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 91,320 inhabitants. 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 Wildfires have been engulfing the west coast in record numbers over the past few years and California has definitely been hit the hardest. It is very much a small town. If there is anything else you like to know please email me at aware1967 [at] yahoo.com. Specialties: 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments in San Ramon, CA Welcome to Muirlands at Windemere Apartments! In fact, most of my friends and neighbors in LA were part-time actors who spent most of their free time looking for gigs. It might be a city of transplants, but no one really cares about that here. 10 Pros and Cons of Living in Wisconsin - Redfin 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. Access to the beach Ive lived in Sacramento twice- fun times, but you never have much money to spare. Compare today's top mortgage and refinancing providers. She developedasthma after moving there. Fantastic schools, a good community, and much more affordable than the Bay Area. The cost of living in Nevada is also lower than in many other states. If your teens are at all interested in sports, Benicia would be a great place for them! Traffic and homeless is not something to fun to see they are in need of help but no one can. I grew up in Sacramento actaully Elk Grove before all those houses were built. 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. People are very interested in each other and generally extremely friendly. It really is a beautiful hidden gem in the Bay Area and I feel lucky to live here! The bridge commute isn't that bad, depending on timing. 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. Instead, it's normally transferred, or "retitled," into the trust. 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. 25 Pros And Cons Of Living In San Diego (Updated 2023) - Home Mindset This makes me sad as a returning native of 6 years. 22 Pros and Cons of Living in Canada! - Girl With The Passport Not others. It has wonderful parks, a great community, very good public schools and the town itself is just a gem. This time however we will be moving due to a civilian job to Ventura. The median home cost in Benicia is Real Estate: $763,400. You may want to check it out. Pros And Cons Of Living In Colombia - How To Expat Too many people; California being one of the most populated cities makes people scramble for the limited space in the area. 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. Benicia is a small town on the carquinez strait bordering Vallejo. Theres so much of the state that is not La San Francisco San Diego. And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. These were helpful. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. Average temperatures vary by city, but by and large, you can expect highs around 69F in the winter and 80-85F in the summer. The housing market in San Francisco is pricing everyone out. The whole bus will start yelling at you too, so maybe dont be the first one out until you get used to the situation. 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. We lived in California in the past two other times, once in Lompoc and other in Monterey. 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. The cost of living in South Korea varies depending on the city one lives in. I was born and raised in the East Bay. I love the East Bay especially Berkeley. Parking is a significant problem as well. It was a film for San Francisco City Sights where I discussed the pros and cons of that Organization. Best Places to Live in Benicia, California So Im thinking of relocating to California, myself. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. Hope this helps! 5. I have friends in Benicia who say the schools are good, but I have not checked that out as a fact. 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. . The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. Several businesses allow them as well, even if they are not a service animal. I believe you have given an honest look at what to expect when moving to California. Living in Australia: What You Need to Know Before You Move - InterNations 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". First Street is completely blocked off and it is filled with people in the holiday spirit. Chose Glen Cove over Benicia, Re: Safe, family--oriented neighborhood? Right now not for something specific like work or study, I just really need the change. Purchasing your new home can come with many financial benefits, some of which are more lucrative than others. 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. My husband & I moved to Benicia with our 13-year-old son more than 33 years ago. 20 Pros And Cons Of Living In Vancouver, BC Canada - Nina Out and About When you move to California, one thing will become clear very quickly California is proof that climate change is real. The road tripping opportunities are endless, you can spend days at the beach or peruse a plethora of museums or attend world-class events. When I worked there, the people I knew who commuted to SF typically drove to Pleasant Hill BART, parked there, and took BART from there. Much of the homework appears to be driven by parent demand for "rigorous" academics, so that even the teachers I know who recognize the dubious value of homework in elementary feel compelled to issue substantial homework packets. We are from a small city in south florida. 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! Colombia is a beautiful country and has much to offer. Taxes too high. Could u please share your views about moving to Texas? The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay.