It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin before moving there. Crime is crazy and cut backs on law enforcement has made it worse. Then, if your bus is going through Chinatown, expect a lengthy delay. In San Francisco alone, tech accounts for 20.5% of all jobs, with the largest employers being Facebook, Netflix, Google, Yahoo, Apple and Tesla. There is a very active moms club with about 130 members. The cost of living in Nevada is also lower than in many other states. Canada is Beautiful Let's face it - Canada is one of the most Instagrammable (read, stunningly beautiful) places in the world. Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living. 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. You'll have access to amenities like an extensive trail system . No longer do you need to be stuck in long-term lease agreements. Our main worries are the refinery, convicts and sound from the Amtrak/freight trains. You will find people in the city throughout the entire year where trying to figure out if that is what they usually wear or they are dressed up for a specific occasion. If your teens are at all interested in sports, Benicia would be a great place for them! 5. Here are 5 benefits of living in California. The core downtown area is kinda cute, but Benicia's got it beat by a landslide. Not each of them applies to every state. 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. San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living . Benicia CA Real Estate & Homes For Sale 27 Agent listings 1 Other listing Sort: Homes for You 565 Lori Dr APT 5, Benicia, CA 94510 WARRING & ASSOCIATES $349,000 1 bd 1 ba 641 sqft - Condo for sale 424 Greenbrier Ct, Benicia, CA 94510 KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY-EAST BA $695,000 3 bds 2 ba 1,566 sqft - House for sale Loading. Can you tell us about the schools? Savannah Savannah is one of the most popular cities in Georgia. There is no doubt that living in San Francisco is expense. Again, some people are bothered by this and some are not. The Capitol Corridor trains run several times each day, although the latest one to Oakland leaves Martinez at about 10:30 p.m. People tend to drive faster and with more aggression, so youll need to turn up your defensive driving skills a notch. The pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. It only takes one missed stop to figure that issue out. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Most expats find that living in South Korea is an efficient way to save money. I honestly cant recall the last summer where imminent wildfire danger didnt stress me out. 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. Benicia is in Solano County. A Travel Website About Portland and Oregon. Official Website of the City of Benicia, California. I don't think I could ever find a more lovely town. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. Have you ever consider Benicia? 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. Good Stuff. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. 9. The community often has little events that are great for meeting new people. Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. And it's one of the most underrated, which means it's not as full of tourists as other places, like Montreal and Vancouver. Everyone is welcome, no matter what your race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status happens to be. Property values. 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. Rent is ridiculous and taxes will take up to 60% of your income. 6. 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. San Francisco: A driver in San Francisco loses 97 hours a year to traffic, ensuring that yet another California city makes the list of top 10 cities with the worst traffic. There is plenty of fog that rolls through the city as well. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. You are welcome to email me if you have any questions. People from Benicia drive to Pleasant Hill BART if they're going to take BART. Pinole is not too far from the Rodeo refinery although I don't recall ever smelling it. There is a main street, called First Street, that is the location of the town's main restaurants and lots of little shops and boutiques. I believe you have given an honest look at what to expect when moving to California. We are from a small city in south florida. Alongside million dollar homes, youll find tent cities and folks living in doorways and streets. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. The price of most rentals is very reasonable and the houses are very nice. 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. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. He called the area Yerba Buena, and it became a popular destination for Americans in the 1840s. So Im thinking of relocating to California, myself. Kelly, Hmm, well, I worked in Benicia for many years and was never seriously tempted to live there. San Francisco is one of the best dog-friendly cities in the United States. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and expert insights. The Amicalola Falls are among the biggest, and they are a popular attraction for Georgia residents to check out and enjoy. 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. Long days, regardless of mode of travel. Ideal places in Sonoma County to move with a toddler, Looking to relocate/Schools & Commute in Hercules, Concord, Martinez. 14 Pros of Living in Vancouver, BC PRO: YVR is a fantastic airport Pro: Amazing schooling Pro: Shopping haven Pro: It's home to Stanley Park Pro: You'll always find food trucks Pro: Plenty of fun sporting events Pro: You don't need to know French Pro: The nightlife Pro: Relatively moderate weather Pro: Easy access to nature Although its gotten more expensive (like everywhere else) this last year, its still affordable compared to other nice parts of the Bay Area. Taxes are high in San Francisco, but this disadvantage applies to the entire state of California. There's even a bounce house for the kids! The state is overcrowded. 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. 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. When youre used to the hotter, dryer climates in the southern part of the state, then living in this city can feel downright chilly. Benicia or Martinez for commute to Oakland? Dictionary Entries Near pros and cons prosaist pros and cons Prosarthri See More Nearby Entries Cite this Entry Style Unlike wills, trusts require that you give up direct ownership of that property. Commute from Benicia to SF is a two-bridge commute. A con. It has excellent schools - all but one are California Distinguished Schools and are actually in the top nationwide. 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. There are plenty of activities to enjoy when living in San Francisco. When making a big move. I would also love any information you can give about that in relation to California. 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. Our (only) son went off to OSU (Oregon)3 years ago. Waisting paycheck to move to Cali. Rental rates. 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. Private studio with shared pool - 8,000,000 - 12,000,000 IDR. ben suarez bread / joseph wiley kim burrell / pragmatic theory of truth pros and cons. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The downtown main street is popular with visitors and residents walking their dogs. 8. The cost of living in San Francisco is equally high. 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. 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. It really shows when you are out around town. It might be worthwhile to consider commuting if you can manage the traffic situation in the city. I like it a lot and it is definitely walkable and has a lot of charming small businesses on 1st street. All she said is true. We considered buying in Benicia around this time last year. All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. I suggest that you try looking at Davis. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose. But back to CA- cost of housing is the biggest drawback for me. Benicia, California . When you look at the city, San Francisco and the Bay Area has the 19th-largest domestic economy in the world. 5. Those are awful places to live with skewed statistics on crime and things because it isnt a total picture of this great state. Our budget is around $2200 a month. 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. About Benicia. Here we have the 13 pros that we and the people in the video think are the best traits of living in Colombia. Everyone loves it; its pristine coastline, picturesque vineyards, wineries, and snow-clad Sierra Nevada Range which maintains its warm weather perfectly. I worked in Benicia for 5 years (commuting from Berkeley), and spent time in Vallejo for work purposes during that job. Thank you for helping me decide. Pinole is OK. Please keep in mind that this is a personal list, not everyone will feel the same way. I worked a few years in downtown Benicia commuting from Berkeley this combo. Another really fun event is the Tree Lighting Ceremony. I couldnt agree more! Let me know if you have any questions or comments below, its always a pleasure to hear from you! Thanks. If you do get the urge to take a day trip, then you can head over to Yosemite, enjoy the sunshine on the peninsula, or take the four-hour drive (with good traffic) to Lake Tahoe for world-class skiing. 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. Niche may be compensated by the third party lenders and others who place ads on the website. 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. JOJ, Re: affordable housing In the past year, appreciation rates for homes in the Benicia area were 5.8% and 5 year appreciation rates were 10.7%. 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. The train goes along the Bay Shore, looking out at the Golden Gate. Its hard to enjoy everything the state has to offer if you arent bringing in a considerable annual income. We are very excited. I was orig from CA. Hi! Actually sales tax was less there than the state Im in now (Louisiana)- so was car insurance. Unless you live in a high-elevation area, youll seldom see snow and can count on sunshine even in the dead of winter. 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. 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. It's affortable and close to Easy Bay. Which city would you recommend social wise? That said, groceries, utilities, public transport and even alcohol are all reasonably priced compared to the prices in most Western countries. The best areas in Redding and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. 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. The bridge commute isn't that bad, depending on timing. It is a wonderful small town.Good schools. While the state offers many benefits, such as natural beauty, a strong sense of community, and a low cost of living, there are also potential downsides, such as harsh winters and high property taxes. One thing I do miss about Berkeley/Oakland/Albany are the amazing restaurants, but my kids are little so we rarely go out anyway. A reasonable cost of living, good schools, family-friendly activities, and decent weather are the major draws to the city. Home appreciation rates are a good way to generate tax-free equity on a long term basis. Our oldest grandson (who is 20 years old) graduated from Benicia High School and is doing extremely well in college. In Redding, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 18.8% lower than the California average. Manage Settings This goes hand-in-hand with the relaxed vibe. The taxes should be taken into strong consideration while researching if moving to California is right for you because they will greatly reduce your overall take home pay. A commute of around 45 min from Valejo is ok. Also can you reccomend any good rental agents? California has the largest network of public schools of any US state, but you know what else? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. People in urban environments are more likely to suffer from anxiety and mood disorders than people in other locations. 1. Your property taxes are going to be higher if you own too since the property values are skyrocketing in the city. Yet another thing to be mindful of while living in California are the constant droughts. Moving to a cheaper area now that kids are gone, Kid friendly neighborhoods in the East Bay. There may be a few flaws to living in Davis. If we take a look at the data, we can find out why. You will find two active Major League Baseball teams in the Bay Area for you to catch a game. JL. The community is warm and friendly, the schools are very good, there are many (!) 8. I did a year-long stint in New York City and the harsh winter made leaving an easy choice. We lived in California in the past two other times, once in Lompoc and other in Monterey. We are also less than 20mins away from Napa. Taxes too high. 19 Pros and Cons of Living in San Antonio, Texas, 17 Pros and Cons of Living in Sarasota, Florida, 18 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of the Payback Period, 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Leasing a Car, 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Financing, 24 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of a C Corporation, 16 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Mediation, 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gated Community, 17 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Focus Groups, 17 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Bonds, 19 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Annuities, 17 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Advertising. Climate. Personally, I would not want to live in so isolated a place as Benicia, but I know plenty of people who love it. California is home to nine national parks, which means it has more national parks than any other state in America, including Alaska! Benicia has a refinery and on occasion you can smell it. You can find work with Netflix, Google, Facebook, Apple, Tesla, and others if you have the correct skill set. Suburb Population 27,191 Did Californias policies drastically change in the last 10 years? 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. Those with a degree in Bachelor of Engineering earn $103,528 on average and Ph.D. holders make an average of $115,087. There are clearly many advantages of living in the city. There is a lot of activities that you can do in the city. We arevery attached to living within the Bay Area, hence we would love to get your recommendation. I think it is considered a ''safe'' town, and it is convenient to the Vallejo Ferry or casual carpool for commuting into the city. Using data from crime, cost of living, 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 median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). Costco is close by, and plenty of Starbucks. I would love feedback. It's definitely cheaper than Berkeley, safe, quiet, but with a great ''old town'' downtown. We're moving to the north bay area in couple of months. That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. We just made new friends sitting on the sidewalk, sipping an adult beverage with our dogs at our feet. All Rights Reserved. Living in Benicia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. At present, California is the worst state in the country for fire dangers. Great parks. I hate to burst your bubble, but lets look at the numbers. You will also find some amazing mountains and wonderful outdoor activities. I need to move out of here. I highly recommend Benicia. You can also make it to Napa Valley in about an hour when heading to the north. If you are moving to the area with your family, then Noe Valley tends to be the place where you end up. You might even say that socialization doesnt really happen unless you bring your dog along. Have you ever consider Benicia??? The hipsters tend to stay in the Mission district, and then youll find the blue collar folks down by the Marina. 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. People there either take the 80 express bus to SF, or drive to Del Norte BART, park there, and BART into SF from there. Gas is also usually $1-$2 more a gallon than most other states. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Redding: Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Sacramento River Trail. 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! 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. That means you can use the money that youd spend on your car payment, automotive insurance, and fuel to ease the burden of your rental costs in the city. Many young professionals live in Benicia and residents tend to have moderate political views. You displayed the positive of moving to California and the negative alike. Based on the housing stock, population density, and the proximity of amenities of the area. Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. These are the pros and cons of living in San Francisco today that are worth considering. The BART is a little bit of a hike, but doable. I know that not everyone will agree with this sentiment, but I find the people in California to be kind. Living in Benicia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. I work for Macys and am scared to death to drive out there (foolish I Know) .