I would also love any information you can give about that in relation to California. Between the lovely Mediterranean climate, the colorful architecture and the breathtaking nature, it seems that Californians take work-life balance seriously and we are all better for it. I think Hercules High is pretty strong (that is my school district). California is a beautiful state California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and it's not hard to see why. The best areas in Benicia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. There is a lot of activities that you can do in the city. There is very little police protection. 1. Ive lived in Sacramento twice- fun times, but you never have much money to spare. 4. It also feels much less crowded here than it does everywhere else. My 'husband' and I want to move to either Benicia or Pinole. A Benicia public option is bus to Vallejo Transit Center from Benicia. Pros and cons of living in Wisconsin: Bottom line. That means it has more influence than the United Kingdom, which has 26 million more people contributing to the GDP. According to the most recent Census, 72% of Benicia residents are White, 12% Asian and 6% Black. He arranges charts, rehearses and plays shows(mostly Cabaret and standards). thank you Hmm. The BART is a little bit of a hike, but doable. The crime rate is high; 20.3%, 3 times (in 100,000 people) more than the entire US itself. We have a Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Peet's etc. 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. 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". It's much more of a state of mind than Pinole! Youve really saved me Was planning on moving to California to work and study without help from no one But from tonehe look of things I think I wont be able to. Purchasing your new home can come with many financial benefits, some of which are more lucrative than others. You are welcome to email me if you have any questions. 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. Residents of urban areas may struggle with their mental health. Rent is ridiculous and taxes will take up to 60% of your income. I agree with some of your assessments. It's also fairly diverse (each person has their own definition of diverse, but as one point of evidence there are 35 different languages spoken at my child's public elementary school in Davis). Copyright © 2023 Embrace Someplace | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I can highly recommend Pinole. I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. The median home price for Benicia homes is $475,500, which is 16.2% higher than the California average. The refineries are all ''down wind'' and don't really have any impact on your quality of life. Checking rates won't affect your credit score. 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. Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You cant beat the weather and people who live here love it. My husband and I were starting to plan a move there at one point when we thought he'd be working in Sacramento; alas, that didn't come to fruition, but we were geared up and excited for Davis - you might want to check it out. Many young professionals live in Benicia and residents tend to have moderate political views. There is more access to healthier food choices, including the presence of several farmers markets throughout the city. Waisting paycheck to move to Cali. The United States would annex California in 1846, with the USS Portsmouth sailing into San Francisco Bay to raise the American flag. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Redding ranks well for amenities (A+) and weather (B). The downtown is indeed walkable and quite charming, and right by the water. With the new Benicia Bridge that opened late last year the commute to Contra Costa County is a breeze. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Select any tags that apply to this area. In fact, California usually ranks as the worst 10-states for public education. Niche may be compensated by the third party lenders and others who place ads on the website. 6. Living in PR means, you will be living in lines for everything as well. I think you would be much happier in Benicia; from what I know of Pinole, it is not what you seem to be looking for. On a less positive note, Benicia does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F) and housing (D). Private 2 bedroom villa with pool - 10,000,000 - 15,000,000 IDR. For me, it would depend on what kind of town I want to live in, schools, etc. Assuming that Redding meets all of your requirements, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Redding. Can you share your insights? The city has a population of 27,780 people. We are looking for any feedback, both positive and/or negative, in regards to the community, schools, neighborhoods, and refinery. With a livability score of 62/100, Redding is ranked #21,245 in the United States and #856 in California. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Redding: Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Sacramento River Trail. Select any tags that apply to this area. You really arent a true resident of the city until youve seen someone walking down the street naked. I was orig from CA. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. The Inland Empire has an economy larger than the entire state of Kansas or the country of Hungary. 2. 3. If we take a look at the data, we can find out why. Others involve nothing more than the persons birthday suit. Vallejo or Benecia for commuting to Sacramento? Gas is also usually $1-$2 more a gallon than most other states. 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. Expensive energy costs; the cost of gasoline and electricity is very high in California compared to other states. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. Heres the stats on traffic for the three most populous cities in California: Los Angeles horrendous traffic is known the world over and the proof is in the pudding. My husband is a professional musician (piano player) who makes his living playing for famous(and not so famous) singers. 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. 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. Commute from Benicia to SF is a two-bridge commute. If your teens are at all interested in sports, Benicia would be a great place for them! Prices differ largely based on where in town accommodation is located, if all the bills are included (wifi, electricity, water, etc. I highly recommend Benicia. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. Selecting a category below will take you to another page. 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. 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). Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and expert insights. Thank you! As for life in California? The year over year appreciation rates in Redding were 4.4%, and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 6.4%. I don't think I could ever find a more lovely town. Pinole is not too far from the Rodeo refinery although I don't recall ever smelling it. California is home to nine national parks, which means it has more national parks than any other state in America, including Alaska! Colombia is a beautiful country and has much to offer. It is very safe and family oriented. That said, groceries, utilities, public transport and even alcohol are all reasonably priced compared to the prices in most Western countries. If you prefer to look for a condo as a way to save some money, then the average cost of that option is $1.25 million. Employment opportunities. All Rights Reserved. When making a big move. Some costumes in the city are elaborate. Niche is not a lender and does not endorse the products of these advertisers. The country supports a universal system, and expats can expect to receive high-quality care while living here. At present, California is the worst state in the country for fire dangers. I not ready to drop off the vine yet, but I want a lifestyle change. About half of the buses also require that you step down into the steps to get the back door to open. 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. They also have a thriving and vibrant small- town arts scene. (Doesnt seem like it to me, but Im open to learning). 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. However, a high crime rate, high cost for shelter, and lagging economy might be a problem. 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. . And it's one of the most underrated, which means it's not as full of tourists as other places, like Montreal and Vancouver. 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. 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. There is no way I can be a home owner in this day and age. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 8. Thank you so much for your replies, we will explore Davis and also Napa . In moving around so much, Ive had an opportunity to experience living in California through various large cities and Ive definitely learned a lot about what life in California is like. Knowing that there are an abundance of amenities and things to do can ensure that you always have access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants and coffee shops. I did a year-long stint in New York City and the harsh winter made leaving an easy choice. 1. Yet, if people are looking for a vacation spot that is relaxing and welcoming, Benicia is it. I believe you have given an honest look at what to expect when moving to California. Fourth of July is one such day. 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. It has excellent schools - all but one are California Distinguished Schools and are actually in the top nationwide. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. There are plenty of opportunities for you to create a startup in this environment as well. Did you ever live in any other state for any amount of time? There are lots of job opportunities available in San Francisco. 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. Those with a degree in Bachelor of Engineering earn $103,528 on average and Ph.D. holders make an average of $115,087. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. Making the effort to think through all possible pros and cons of a given course of. Pros and Cons of living in Benicia, California Benicia, California Benicia, CA is #21 on the list Top 100 Best Places to Raise a Family in the West in 2023 Pros and Cons of living in Benicia, California according to Data Pros and Cons of living in Benicia, California in reviews from users in their own words: Do you live in Benicia, California? 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. Without any friends or family waiting for me there. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. William Richardson, an Englishman, is considered the founder of the city, which he established in 1835. An added bonus is that the town is located right on the water so you can see the ships go by, etc. 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 I like it a lot and it is definitely walkable and has a lot of charming small businesses on 1st street. Heres a real-life example: A close friend of mine works for Patagonia and jokes that suits are all but banned from the company. Perhaps the most notable benefit could be the appreciation of your new home. Im glad Im not the only one feeling this. You might even say that socialization doesnt really happen unless you bring your dog along. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. Many employers offer free shuttles and other transportation services. The train goes along the Bay Shore, looking out at the Golden Gate. The cost of living in San Francisco is equally high. I worked a few years in downtown Benicia commuting from Berkeley this combo. As you look at each state you will see some common themes. If you have a dog that is coming with you to San Francisco, then both of you are in for a fantastic time. Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. Taxes are high in San Francisco, but this disadvantage applies to the entire state of California. Could u please share your views about moving to Texas? Though it is a suburb of Vallejo, it is significantly different. Too many people; California being one of the most populated cities makes people scramble for the limited space in the area. We're moving to the north bay area in couple of months. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. Traffic and homeless is not something to fun to see they are in need of help but no one can. Costumes are a way of life in San Francisco. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. Monica, My family is hoping to buy a home soon. Again, some people are bothered by this and some are not. There is a neighborhood for everyone here, and most people can integrate into almost any living situation. 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. Not too cold either. Unlike wills, trusts require that you give up direct ownership of that property. Amy, Re: Kid friendly neighborhoods in the East Bay Benicia may be a bit too far North for you, but it is an amazing little treasure. If there is anything else you like to know please email me at aware1967 [at] yahoo.com. 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. Chose Glen Cove over Benicia, Re: Safe, family--oriented neighborhood? 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. 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. Great parks. You can also find affordable rentals around the state in popular cities like Henderson, where a two-bedroom apartment averages around $1,700. It doesn't feel very diverse and it doesn't really feel like it's part of the Bay Area proper. 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. 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. That places it just one spot behind Los Angeles and one spot ahead of Switzerland yes, the country. We have two children under 2. 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. 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 has lots of open space, a state park on the water, and plenty of places to hike. We live in Benicia, and moved here for the great schools. 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. Or is there a bus? 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! Many young professionals live in Benicia and residents tend to have moderate political views. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. 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. It might also be worth noting that 63% of residents also have children under the age of 18. Thanks. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. This makes me sad as a returning native of 6 years. Sacramento is underrated as a city---it's really on the upswing as people migrate their to escape the prices in the Bay. And the scenery is amazingly beautiful! The bridge commute isn't that bad, depending on timing. We are very excited.