Neither town is great for commuting to Oakland. 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. A couple of them are atypical learners/creative types. Pinole has a Peet's, In n Out, and a Trader Joe's. If your teens are at all interested in sports, Benicia would be a great place for them! The schools are well-rated. The United States would annex California in 1846, with the USS Portsmouth sailing into San Francisco Bay to raise the American flag. Im terrified. And the school are highly rated. If I need Berkeley or SF fix, we just drive down and can be on the Bay Bridge in 20mins with no traffic. Our kids are 15, 13, 11 and 8, so high school, middle and elementary. Moving back and priced out of Alameda - West CC or Solano County? Benicia is no more than 10 minutes from Vallejo. 3. If you're looking for a broker, the woman we worked with, Brenda Turner-Adams, was awesome. The best areas in Benicia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Living in Benicia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. About half of the buses also require that you step down into the steps to get the back door to open. About Benicia. Good Stuff. In addition to the high sales and income taxes, California also has the highest gas prices in the country too. pros and cons plural noun 1 : arguments for and against often + of Congress weighed the pros and cons of the new tax plan. I appreciate any info/input you have. I did a year-long stint in New York City and the harsh winter made leaving an easy choice. The hipsters tend to stay in the Mission district, and then youll find the blue collar folks down by the Marina. 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 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. I'm considering a move to Benicia in the next few months. Antioch reminds me of Elk Grove now. When James Marshall discovered gold in the area, a surge of people came to make their fortune. 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. Sacramento is underrated as a city---it's really on the upswing as people migrate their to escape the prices in the Bay. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. Benicia is known to be family friendly as more than 76% of the population has already tied the knot. If you are trying to get somewhere during rush hour, then you need to avoid all of the highways at all costs. Our budget is around $2200 a month. Sign up for a yoga class on the beach and see what all the hype is about. Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. That means it has more influence than the United Kingdom, which has 26 million more people contributing to the GDP. Every neighborhood has a couple of dog parks that offer an expansive area for leash-free running. The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay. 9. Waisting paycheck to move to Cali. However, a high crime rate, high cost for shelter, and lagging economy might be a problem. ben suarez bread / joseph wiley kim burrell / pragmatic theory of truth pros and cons. 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. 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. Pros of Living in Palm Springs The desert resort city of Palm Springs is the axis point of affordable California living and full-scale luxury amenities. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. Employment opportunities. I think Hercules High is pretty strong (that is my school district). you did not mention is the California Government. This may be the most honest review of anything (period) Ive ever read on the internet. Benicia, California . recommendations? Niche is not a lender and does not endorse the products of these advertisers. At least you wont be shoveling snow by the foot like people to the north are during the winter months from the same storms. Instead, it's normally transferred, or "retitled," into the trust. 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. 2. You can relax at Baker Beach with your family and friends, enjoy one of the eccentric dive bars along the coast, or take a tour of the Museum of Modern Art. Its also home to some of the worst performing schools in the country. There is no way I can be a home owner in this day and age. In fact, Los Angeles is the second most diverse cities in the country, second only to New York City. I find, though, that it is a great place for us empty nesters, too. It seems we can afford Benicia, Martinez and parts of Concord. Solano County overall is less liberal than the rest of the Bay Area. SCHOOLS Benicia public schools spend $8,132 per student. There is plenty of fog that rolls through the city as well. Not too cold either. This makes me sad as a returning native of 6 years. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. For comparison purposes, the average price in the United States for the same space is about $1,175 per month. But if you choose to live in a city further inland, you can expect blazing hot summers. Perhaps one of my favorite things about living in California is the constant sunshine. Benicia is a very sleepy town with a little bid of Santa Cruz feel to it. 1. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. 2 : good points and bad points Each technology has its pros and cons. Yeah Im somewhere in a similar predicament. 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 economy across the entire Bay Area is on fire right now. Sales tax is the highest in the 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. 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. 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. Hands down, one of my favorite things about living in California is the diversity of the people. We lived in California in the past two other times, once in Lompoc and other in Monterey. No longer do you need to be stuck in long-term lease agreements. 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. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Thanks again I really appreciate it. The homeless population has gotten completely out of control and is scary at this point. is it still impossible to buy a house ? 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 know most folks like to hate on airports, but I must admit I have a pretty easy time flying into and out of California. 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. Have you ever consider Benicia??? Have you looked at Benicia? The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. Good luck with your search! 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. Benicia's schools are arguably better. 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. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. Both cities are relatively well-run, as these things go; I'd give Pinole the administrative edge. However, there can be some health disadvantages. Enter California, a state that averages 260+ days of sunshine per year. ), and of course the accommodation itself. California has the largest network of public schools of any US state, but you know what else? The downtown main street is popular with visitors and residents walking their dogs. Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Savannah Savannah is one of the most popular cities in Georgia. 4. Both times we were military and received housing allowance. Many young professionals live in Benicia and residents tend to have moderate political views. Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. First Street is completely blocked off and it is filled with people in the holiday spirit. There is a local park that the locals are hoping the state does not close. Benicia is one of the the best places to raise a family in the Bay Area right now. I dont know who can afford homes anymore. 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. My husband & I moved to Benicia with our 13-year-old son more than 33 years ago. Even stores like Walgreens sell produce in the city. Canada is Beautiful Let's face it - Canada is one of the most Instagrammable (read, stunningly beautiful) places in the world. It might be a city of transplants, but no one really cares about that here. 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. An added bonus is that the town is located right on the water so you can see the ships go by, etc. We're hoping for diversity, for a whole approachthat is not hyper focused on testing (art, music, theater valued as well as academics), and not huge amounts of homework every night. It is a family oriented community with many kid-friendly events (family movie night in the park once a month in summer, children's art festival in the park, street fairs, parades, farmer's market on thursday nights, swimming pool, classes and camps through the parks and recreation department, good library events). There is a direct transfer point to BART in Richmond. Pinole is not too far from the Rodeo refinery although I don't recall ever smelling it. There is a wonderful library and community pool and lots more. You are welcome to email me if you have any questions. William Richardson, an Englishman, is considered the founder of the city, which he established in 1835. The weather is always nice enough in San Francisco to get outside, so youll see people enjoying the outdoors through hiking and cycling. People don't care about each other. Its hard to enjoy everything the state has to offer if you arent bringing in a considerable annual income. Can you give me some advice? They both have advantages of amazing views from many neighborhoods. Wildfires have been engulfing the west coast in record numbers over the past few years and California has definitely been hit the hardest. 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. Costumes are a way of life in San Francisco. You can get to the Fairfield store from Benicia without getting on busy highways. The BART is a little bit of a hike, but doable. 10 Pros And Cons Of Living In California To get us rolling. More Education Best Places to Live in Benicia Rankings View All When you can make ends meet, you will find that this city is one of the most magical places to be on the planet. The economy in San Francisco keeps humming along. P.S. And these are just prices for flights! Based on the housing stock, population density, and the proximity of amenities of the area. 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. Hmm. 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. 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. They also have a thriving and vibrant small- town arts scene. 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. 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. vehicle trips take 60% longer during rush hour in San Diego. Here are 5 benefits of living in California. Half Moon Bay is only thirty minutes to the east of the city. Yet another thing to be mindful of while living in California are the constant droughts. Kathy, Re: considering a move to Sacramento It's definitely cheaper than Berkeley, safe, quiet, but with a great ''old town'' downtown. And almost anywhere in the city, you can see the water. Prices differ largely based on where in town accommodation is located, if all the bills are included (wifi, electricity, water, etc. 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. 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. And the scenery is amazingly beautiful! Pinole is OK. . In regards to smells or whatever from the oil refinery, we were probably there about a half dozen times for several hours each time, and we never smelled anything. House very expensive old features. There are clearly many advantages of living in the city. Copyright © 2023 Embrace Someplace | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Then, if your bus is going through Chinatown, expect a lengthy delay. The 1906 earthquake that devastated San Francisco was estimated to be 7.9 8.25 with extreme shaking. When you do need to travel somewhere, using an Uber or Lyft is still affordable. 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). Living In. 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 has lots of open space, a state park on the water, and plenty of places to hike. - The Weather Northern California is home to a lot of wonderful weather. It might be worthwhile to consider commuting if you can manage the traffic situation in the city. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. All three of the major cities in California clock in as some of the most expensive cities in the entire country. It has wonderful parks, a great community, very good public schools and the town itself is just a gem. 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. Although its gotten more expensive (like everywhere else) this last year, its still affordable compared to other nice parts of the Bay Area. That places it just one spot behind Los Angeles and one spot ahead of Switzerland yes, the country. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. Pros and cons of living in Wisconsin: Bottom line. Hi there Thanks a lot for that, it was very informative and helpful. I take my daughter to a lot of activities in Benicia. Not each of them applies to every state. The Economic Life Puerto Rico is more about social life than economics. Select any title to view the full question and replies. 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. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Benicia are simply unattainable. 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. For comparison purposes, the average price in the United States for the same space is about $1,175 per month. We moved to Benicia 2 1/2 years ago from Los Angeles. Select any tags that apply to this area. 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 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. Human trafficking is ramped. We absolutely love this community!! And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. Non-Latino Caucasians represent 37.2% of the population. 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. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. Housing prices everywhere are just off the charts! So if you plan on raising a family while living in California, account for the cost of private school as well because the public schools leave much to be desired. I don't think I could ever find a more lovely town. Personally, I would not want to live in so isolated a place as Benicia, but I know plenty of people who love it. 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 'husband' and I want to move to either Benicia or Pinole. The perks of living in San Francisco are almost endless. Ive never found it easy to get from Point A to Point B using public transportation, which is why I wouldnt even consider moving to California without a car (with the exception of San Francisco). The pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. You will always find people out with their pets during the day, enjoying the sunny weather in the city when it arrives. 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. (Yikes!!) Several businesses allow them as well, even if they are not a service animal. 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. Thank you! So Im thinking of relocating to California, myself. Benicia fan. 5. Thanks. JOJ, We live in Benicia and really like it. Your property taxes are going to be higher if you own too since the property values are skyrocketing in the city. We really like the look of homes in downtown Martinez and our commute to Richmond on the 4. 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. But if you lived walking distance to downtown you would not see them. 30 Pros and Cons of Living in the UK 1. There are plenty of opportunities for you to create a startup in this environment as well. You will find two active Major League Baseball teams in the Bay Area for you to catch a game. Alongside million dollar homes, youll find tent cities and folks living in doorways and streets. It has such a strong community feeling, between the residents, police and fire teams, business owners, etc. Checking rates won't affect your credit score. As for life in California? It continues to be one of the worst and deadliest earthquakes in U.S. history. We'd also love to hear about neighborhoods. Whether youre moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Benicia could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. For me, it would depend on what kind of town I want to live in, schools, etc. 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. So youre moving to California with the intention of buying a home? I can highly recommend Pinole. I'm wondering if being in Martinez would actually save that much time compared with Benicia. By 1900, that figure had doubled again. If there is anything else you like to know please email me at aware1967 [at] yahoo.com. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. Most restaurants tailor their menus to healthy eating instead of huge portions of high-carb foods. Don't drive 29 miles/hr in a 25 mile zone, 'cause the cops will ticket you immediately. 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. The Inland Empire has an economy larger than the entire state of Kansas or the country of Hungary. Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living. Good luck on your move! Come to our farmers market and check out the town- every Thursday from 4-8. 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. If you choose the back part of Pinole Valley, you get to send your daughter to Ellerhorst, which is a very good school. Parking is a significant problem as well. That said, groceries, utilities, public transport and even alcohol are all reasonably priced compared to the prices in most Western countries. You can find work with Netflix, Google, Facebook, Apple, Tesla, and others if you have the correct skill set. Compare today's top mortgage and refinancing providers. Rental rates. 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. #3. The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay. The train goes along the Bay Shore, looking out at the Golden Gate. Actually sales tax was less there than the state Im in now (Louisiana)- so was car insurance. Overall, Valero is the economic engine of town - largest employer, taxpayer, etc. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. If you have advice on Napa, please post ! 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. 4. Could u please share your views about moving to Texas? However, high salaries are offset by a high cost of living. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). San Francisco was named one of the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world in 2019. Selecting a category below will take you to another page. happy empty nesters. Yes, Florida is much cheaper than California because the cost of living is just 1% higher than the national average. I grew up in Sacramento actaully Elk Grove before all those houses were built. This is a city that is often said to be a "love it or hate it" type . Everyone loves it; its pristine coastline, picturesque vineyards, wineries, and snow-clad Sierra Nevada Range which maintains its warm weather perfectly. Select any tags that apply to this area. MUNI is the public transportation system in San Francisco where you can hop onto a bus to get around the city. The traffic in San Francisco is legendarily terrible. Long days, regardless of mode of travel. Hi! When you look at the city, San Francisco and the Bay Area has the 19th-largest domestic economy in the world. Quality schools. 3. Thanks to its temperate climate, it is also one of the best walking communities in the United States. A waterfront City of 28,000, Benicia is known for its small-town charm, history, and high quality of life. Are you thinking about moving to California? Here we have the 13 pros that we and the people in the video think are the best traits of living in Colombia. If so, youll be joining many other Californians in the most populous state in the country. My friend who lives in Benicia says she would not make that decision again. I will likely take BART. 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. We actaully have a daughter who goes to a school in North Berkeley so I drive down everyday. In Oceanside, the cost of living is 43.8% higher than the national average. The cost of living in Nevada is also lower than in many other states. 3. Windemere has all the desired conveniences-including shopping, dining, freeways and BART. 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. San Diego: On average, vehicle trips take 60% longer during rush hour in San Diego. Several apartment complexes and condos offer these areas as well. You may want to check it out. Great parks. Is buying and building a home in Smith River, Ca any better when it comes to the cons you stated. Hope this helps! We are very excited. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. Official Website of the City of Benicia, California. I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. And if you're looking to be as remote as possible, there are plenty of opportunities to live in the mountains without any neighbors in eyesight. With a livability score of 62/100, Redding is ranked #21,245 in the United States and #856 in California. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin before moving there. Disadvantages of a Living Trust Funding a Trust Is Expensive . 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.