However, a high crime rate, high cost for shelter, and lagging economy might be a problem. Con: Difficulty with access Chose Glen Cove over Benicia, Re: Safe, family--oriented neighborhood? I highly recommend Benicia. 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. But which state is best to stay for a loner like me who has zero support from any angle. California is a car-centric state and you will absolutely need to have a car while living in California because things are spread far apart. 10. 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 travel often for work, so access to airports is a strong consideration when moving to a new city. As someone that (briefly) considered moving to the Pacific Northwest, I cant even begin to fathom that challenge of living under a cloud most of the year. The median home price for Benicia homes is $475,500, which is 16.2% higher than the California average. Ill be the first to admit I dont know what the right solution for homelessness is, but I want to be transparent about it for anyone considering moving to California because you will notice it on a daily basis. The cost of living in Nevada is also lower than in many other states. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. We have a cute little downtown with a great library and community pool, awesome parks and playgrounds, good schools, a great Farmers market every Thursday on the main drag, a neat artist community, and wonderful people in general. Pinole is not too far from the Rodeo refinery although I don't recall ever smelling it. 6. Benicia has a refinery and on occasion you can smell it. Thats when the name of the city changed for the full-time population of about 800 people. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. There are many additional borrowing options available. When weighing the pros and cons of living in Dallas, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. It is very safe and family oriented. 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. JL. Sales tax is the highest in the nation. I appreciate any info/input you have. Are people dying by the hands of the government in California or did I miss something? Also, yoga culture is huge in San Diego. Weather In Colombia. I take my daughter to a lot of activities in Benicia. Did Californias policies drastically change in the last 10 years? 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. Canada is Beautiful Let's face it - Canada is one of the most Instagrammable (read, stunningly beautiful) places in the world. Hard to complain about that! Also, I am not aware of any arts scene in Pinole, though of course I could be wrong. 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. However, high salaries are offset by a high cost of living. Los Angeles and San Francisco are international hubs with awesome dining options, but many of the smaller cities have restaurants worth writing home about too. The cost of living in San Francisco is equally high. A great and safe community with a lots of parks. People are very interested in each other and generally extremely friendly. You cant beat the weather and people who live here love it. The train goes along the Bay Shore, looking out at the Golden Gate. In fact, California usually ranks as the worst 10-states for public education. In San Francisco alone, tech accounts for 20.5% of all jobs, with the largest employers being Facebook, Netflix, Google, Yahoo, Apple and Tesla. 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 Also people say move to Texas- rethink that- not only are prices going up there, but the weather SUX with humidity, heat, and no mountains so escape to, no snow skiing. BART to downtown Oakland. Right now not for something specific like work or study, I just really need the change. I recall a particularly bad stretch where residents were asked to save shower water to water plants. I would also love any information you can give about that in relation to California. As a budget traveler and travel blogger, this is definitely the number one plus for living in Europe. If you dont have a car, public transportation is the breeding ground for all the above. Thanks. Re: Moving to a cheaper area now that kids are gone (Doesnt seem like it to me, but Im open to learning). Especially a young woman. Benicia ca - The Pros and Cons of Benicia California, Moving to Benicia ca. The economy in San Francisco keeps humming along. thank you Hmm. Private studio with shared pool - 8,000,000 - 12,000,000 IDR. In fact, Los Angeles is the second most diverse cities in the country, second only to New York City. Kathy, Re: considering a move to Sacramento 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. Purchasing your new home can come with many financial benefits, some of which are more lucrative than others. All three of Californias major cities rank as being some of the most diverse in America. 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. If you're looking for a broker, the woman we worked with, Brenda Turner-Adams, was awesome. Pros and cons of living in Wisconsin: Bottom line. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. Ive lived in Sacramento twice- fun times, but you never have much money to spare. 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. Despite devastating fires and earthquakes in its early history, the people rebuilt the city to make it the wonderful place it is today. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. You may want to check it out. 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. If we take a look at the data, we can find out why. Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. You are going to need some cash to make things happen if you want to start living here. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. pros and cons plural noun 1 : arguments for and against often + of Congress weighed the pros and cons of the new tax plan. Year after year, California tops the list as having the most devastating fires in the country and the trend seems to be getting worse nearly 12 million acres were burned in 2020 alone. I can highly recommend Pinole. Please keep in mind that this is a personal list, not everyone will feel the same way. I think Hercules High is pretty strong (that is my school district). . Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. 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. This goes hand-in-hand with the constant sunshine, but California has some of the mildest winters in the country. We are from a small city in south florida. He called the area Yerba Buena, and it became a popular destination for Americans in the 1840s. We live next to Benicia, but technically are zip coded as Vallejo. First Street is completely blocked off and it is filled with people in the holiday spirit. 5. 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. Commute from Benicia to SF is a two-bridge commute. The median home price for Benicia homes is $475,500, which is 16.2% higher than the California average. If you want to rent in San Francisco, then you can expect to pay a lot for that option too. California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and its not hard to see why. we love it here! We have a Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Peet's etc. I worked in Benicia for 5 years (commuting from Berkeley), and spent time in Vallejo for work purposes during that job. 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. Cons of living in Nevada 1. Benicia has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #160 in California and #4,047 in the USA. A waterfront City of 28,000, Benicia is known for its small-town charm, history, and high quality of life. One of the reasons why people are consistently attracted to the idea of living in San Francisco is because of its emphasis on diversity. In Redding, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 18.8% lower than the California average. Well, maybe Nevada City! While there is a progressive faction in town, there is also a strong uh less progressive group. The city has a population of 27,780 people. Not each of them applies to every state. 6. The state is overcrowded. The year over year appreciation rates in Redding were 4.4%, and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 6.4%. Benicia is by far more attractive with a larger historic district downtown and more view corridors of the bay. Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Redding on a regular basis. - CON: Expensive non-essentials If you choose the back part of Pinole Valley, you get to send your daughter to Ellerhorst, which is a very good school. Even though there was a lag in growth for the first time in forever in 2018, the rental market in San Francisco is insane and the housing market isnt any better. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Benicia is no more than 10 minutes from Vallejo. But if you choose to live in a city further inland, you can expect blazing hot summers. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. It doesn't feel very diverse and it doesn't really feel like it's part of the Bay Area proper. That means it has more influence than the United Kingdom, which has 26 million more people contributing to the GDP. One feature that Martinez has that Benicia does not have is a direct connection on Amtrak from Jack London Square (or West Berkeley). 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. Savannah Savannah is one of the most popular cities in Georgia. I don't think I could ever find a more lovely town. Benicia is in Solano County. I also have found from talking to my artsy friends who grew up in Benicia that they felt fairly isolated as teenagers because they were just that little bit too far from Berkeley/San Francisco and most teen activities were focused around sports. Overall, Valero is the economic engine of town - largest employer, taxpayer, etc. I believe you have given an honest look at what to expect when moving to California. Even having a sourdough bread bowl filled with chowder while enjoying a view of Alcatraz makes for a memorable day. Most expats find that living in South Korea is an efficient way to save money. Im looking for input on areas that have nice high schools(safe). Thanks for your candor. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). I find, though, that it is a great place for us empty nesters, too. It continues to be one of the worst and deadliest earthquakes in U.S. history. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. Benicia is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. 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. Feel free to email me! P.S. Im glad Im not the only one feeling this. The median sale price is $407,500, which is lower than neighboring state of California. As another poster mentioned, with either Benicia or Martinez you would have to drive to Pleasant Hill Bart. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. There is no way I can be a home owner in this day and age. Pinole Valley is safe, family-friendly, and diverse. If youre planning on moving to California, heres a quick recap of the pros and cons of living in California. Permanent residents can receive medical for free or at extremely low costs. Based on violent and property crime rates. We currently live in LA and are pre-retirement. The weather is always nice enough in San Francisco to get outside, so youll see people enjoying the outdoors through hiking and cycling. See, I can't say enough good things about it. Everyone loves it; its pristine coastline, picturesque vineyards, wineries, and snow-clad Sierra Nevada Range which maintains its warm weather perfectly. It really is a beautiful hidden gem in the Bay Area and I feel lucky to live here! I have friends in Benicia who say the schools are good, but I have not checked that out as a fact. 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. Did you ever live in any other state for any amount of time? You have access to cabs, bicycles, scooters, buses, trollies, and light rail so that you can access almost any part of the city. 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. San Francisco is renowned for its cultural diversity. So youre moving to California with the intention of buying a home? 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). Some places in Florida have been ranked 8% lower to 18% higher in cost compared to the average American city. All this to say, unless youre working in a high-paying field, you may find the cost of living in California unrealistic, especially if youre moving to California from a small city. 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 pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. The pros and cons of living in San Francisco will always look at the cost first. There are clearly many advantages of living in the city. Hi there Thanks a lot for that, it was very informative and helpful. If people are looking for a place to go that has a lot to do, Benicia is not the place to go. I couldnt agree more! With a livability score of 62/100, Redding is ranked #21,245 in the United States and #856 in California. 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. Thanks. I'd suggest spending a full day in each. However, it is very much an island mentality, insular/small community, and you have to cross a bridge at $5/pop to get to the Bay Area. Monica, My family is hoping to buy a home soon. If you work in tech or film, theres no better place to live than California. There are about 23.6 students per teacher in Benicia. But moving here is a bad idea. 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. From the striking sunny coastline of Southern California to the towering cliffs of Big Sur, youll be privy to every natural wonder in between. Benicians consider that Martinez is somewhat similar in a lot of ways to Benicia (although my understanding is that their refinery has much less capacity); Concord obviously is a much larger town (really a small city) and harder to generalize, but don't underestimate the value of proximity to BART. 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. That being said, Benicia has O.K. But if you lived walking distance to downtown you would not see them. Its hard to enjoy everything the state has to offer if you arent bringing in a considerable annual income. 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. Today Id like to share my list of the honest pros and cons of living in California. Sorry Cali. In addition to the high sales and income taxes, California also has the highest gas prices in the country too. If so, youll be joining many other Californians in the most populous state in the country. 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. Though it is a suburb of Vallejo, it is significantly different. The best ride of all is the ferry from Mare Island Channel but it only goes to Alameda and by way of SF. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. It's much more of a state of mind than Pinole! 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. You can also catch the NBA, NHL, and MLS when living in the city. Friendly people. Over 80% of the city was destroyed at the time, 3,000 people were killed, and 250,000 were left homeless. Lucky for me, California is home to 12 international airports (including LAX, the second largest airport in America). Another vote for the Amtrak Capitol from Martinez to Oakland. Any time you add a bridge to the equation, it gets dicey, so in general I'd say Martinez is better than Benicia strictly from the commute perspective. That places it just one spot behind Los Angeles and one spot ahead of Switzerland yes, the country. You have to drive to Concord or Fairfield for a Trader Joes, and the closest Whole Foods is in Napa or Walnut Creek. Kelly, Hmm, well, I worked in Benicia for many years and was never seriously tempted to live there. Get some big dogs and move to Benicia! All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. Dont base your schedule on what it tells you. 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. It can be a challenge to get used to the weather in San Francisco. Hi there,We are very excited and sad to be moving from our home in the Colorado Mountains to the Bay Area. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! There are plenty of opportunities for you to create a startup in this environment as well. Looking for a light filled home close to hiking/walking trails. Thank you. Benicia has a violent crime rate of 99 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average. Our main worries are the refinery, convicts and sound from the Amtrak/freight trains. And the school are highly rated. 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. There is a very active moms club with about 130 members. A Benicia public option is bus to Vallejo Transit Center from Benicia. Employment opportunities. Have you considered Benicia? The downtown is indeed walkable and quite charming, and right by the water. Since Im being honest, Id like to point out that wildfires will become a part of your daily vocabulary while living in California. Benicia, CA is a seaside town that people think of when they think "getaway vacation". Does anyone have any negative or positive experiences with the above, especially the refinery.