pros and cons of living in benicia, ca

I couldnt agree more! It has excellent schools - all but one are California Distinguished Schools and are actually in the top nationwide. 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 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. 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.. If youre in the film industry you probably already know that Los Angeles is the place to be. Property values. 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. In San Francisco alone, tech accounts for 20.5% of all jobs, with the largest employers being Facebook, Netflix, Google, Yahoo, Apple and Tesla. SCHOOLS Benicia public schools spend $8,132 per student. . 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Not others. There is a significant issue with homeless and drug addiction in the city. Most of the people we know here in Pinolego into the city or Oakland/Berkeley pretty regularly, whereas most of the people we know in Benicia don't really seem to like to cross the bridge. 9. Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. JOJ, Re: affordable housing Benicia is looking like where we might land. - CON: Expensive non-essentials Low crime. Moving back and priced out of Alameda - West CC or Solano County? I can highly recommend Pinole. The town is very laid back, so the police officers seem to jump on any violation where they can. 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. It really is a beautiful hidden gem in the Bay Area and I feel lucky to live here! 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". People will generally move to the US for better education or well-paying jobs. happy empty nesters. Everyone gathers at the green field at the end of 1st Street and watches the fire works. The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay. Too many people; California being one of the most populated cities makes people scramble for the limited space in the area. Fitness is a priority in San Francisco. Our kids are 15, 13, 11 and 8, so high school, middle and elementary. 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. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Redding ranks well for amenities (A+) and weather (B). Some places in Florida have been ranked 8% lower to 18% higher in cost compared to the average American city. Are you thinking about moving to California? Living in Redding can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the town. But if you choose to live in a city further inland, you can expect blazing hot summers. I was born and raised in the East Bay. Because of the citys location near fault lines, there is always the lingering threat of the Big One that exists in residents minds. I like your negative points. The pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. 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. These were helpful. Given that and the increased time and cost, I'm wondering if I should consider Martinez instead although I really wanted to be in Benicia. When you do need to travel somewhere, using an Uber or Lyft is still affordable. In total, more than 72% of the population is classified as married and 67% have kids. More Education Best Places to Live in Benicia Rankings View All Copyright © 2023 Embrace Someplace | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Benicia, California . Benicia is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The United States would annex California in 1846, with the USS Portsmouth sailing into San Francisco Bay to raise the American flag. Several businesses allow them as well, even if they are not a service animal. I recall a particularly bad stretch where residents were asked to save shower water to water plants. Just an FYI that Amtrak runs from Martinez to Jack London Sq in Oakland - so that might be another option. Making the effort to think through all possible pros and cons of a given course of. Hi there Thanks a lot for that, it was very informative and helpful. Today Id like to share my list of the honest pros and cons of living in California. It's much more of a state of mind than Pinole! We moved to Benicia 2 1/2 years ago from Los Angeles. I work for Macys and am scared to death to drive out there (foolish I Know) . 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. 2. While knowing about the availability of Disney parks is useful, it would not be my reason for moving across the country to pay high taxes. You can get to the Fairfield store from Benicia without getting on busy highways. Additionally, Barcelona enjoys a bit more than 2500 hours of sunshine a year - about average for the south of Europe. Compared to the United States average, Benicia ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Your property taxes are going to be higher if you own too since the property values are skyrocketing in the city. Youll have a plethora of Micheline-Star restaurants and phenomenal cheap eats to choose from. Compare today's top mortgage and refinancing providers. 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). This time however we will be moving due to a civilian job to Ventura. Living in California is a tale of extremes extreme wealth and extreme poverty. 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. An amount below 100 means Benicia is cheaper than the US average. The hipsters tend to stay in the Mission district, and then youll find the blue collar folks down by the Marina. 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. 5. San Francisco was named one of the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world in 2019. Also occasionally you can smell the refinery - some people are bothered by this, some are not. Not as familiar with the central county high schools. Im a California native and have lived in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco over the past ten years. By 1900, that figure had doubled again. Thank you so much for your replies, we will explore Davis and also Napa . Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and the overall sense of community. Regardless, I hope you find it helpful. 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'm wondering if being in Martinez would actually save that much time compared with Benicia. I can't really think of anything negative. We actaully have a daughter who goes to a school in North Berkeley so I drive down everyday. There is very little police protection. 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. 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. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. If I had to guess, Id probably say its not realistic unless you have a hefty savings account. Taxes too high. 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. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. 1. 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. On a less positive note, Benicia does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F) and housing (D). . Assuming that Redding meets all of your requirements, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Redding. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Redding: Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Sacramento River Trail. There is a significant homeless population in the city as well, especially in the core, where youre going to find a higher crime rate, unsanitary conditions at times, and encounters with people who are desperate for a fix, down on their luck, or struggling with their mental health. San Diego: On average, vehicle trips take 60% longer during rush hour in San Diego. You will also find some amazing mountains and wonderful outdoor activities. 1. I highly recommend Benicia. 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. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. People from Benicia drive to Pleasant Hill BART if they're going to take BART. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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? People tend to drive faster and with more aggression, so youll need to turn up your defensive driving skills a notch. Those with a degree in Bachelor of Engineering earn $103,528 on average and Ph.D. holders make an average of $115,087. A second silver rush in 1859 helped to keep the city active, and then the transcontinental railroad provided a direct connection with the rest of the country. Benicia is a very sleepy town with a little bid of Santa Cruz feel to it. 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. My husband & I moved to Benicia with our 13-year-old son more than 33 years ago. One feature that Martinez has that Benicia does not have is a direct connection on Amtrak from Jack London Square (or West Berkeley). Many young professionals live in Benicia and residents tend to have moderate political views. Official Website of the City of Benicia, California. 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 Weather Northern California is home to a lot of wonderful weather. Therfore just to visit weekend ok but not to live in Cali. Though it is a suburb of Vallejo, it is significantly different. You can also catch the NBA, NHL, and MLS when living in the city. 1. There is always the threat of an earthquake to consider in the city. Thank you. Taxes are high in San Francisco, but this disadvantage applies to the entire state of California. If there is anything else you like to know please email me at aware1967 [at] yahoo.com. 2 : good points and bad points Each technology has its pros and cons. At least you wont be shoveling snow by the foot like people to the north are during the winter months from the same storms. Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. It's definitely cheaper than Berkeley, safe, quiet, but with a great ''old town'' downtown. You have to drive to Concord or Fairfield for a Trader Joes, and the closest Whole Foods is in Napa or Walnut Creek. 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. (Doesnt seem like it to me, but Im open to learning). Home appreciation rates are a good way to generate tax-free equity on a long term basis. Expensive energy costs; the cost of gasoline and electricity is very high in California compared to other states. Manage Settings Checking rates won't affect your credit score. 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. 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. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. 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. Yet another perk of living in California is seldom feeling rushed. Posted on February 27, 2023 by laguardia airport food terminal c It only takes one missed stop to figure that issue out. 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). The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of . Regrettably for Redding, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F), cost of living (F), education (F), employment (D) and housing (D-). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. When you look at the city, San Francisco and the Bay Area has the 19th-largest domestic economy in the world. There is plenty of fog that rolls through the city as well. I know some folks who live in Benicia and have spent a good bit of time there. Thats when the name of the city changed for the full-time population of about 800 people. You can find work with Netflix, Google, Facebook, Apple, Tesla, and others if you have the correct skill set. Even stores like Walgreens sell produce in the city. Sorry Cali. 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. From the amazing landscapes to the diversity, to the warmth of the people and the low cost of living. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). 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. 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. 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. When you can make ends meet, you will find that this city is one of the most magical places to be on the planet. Benicia has a refinery and on occasion you can smell it. The cost of living in California is 49.9% above the national average, which means you have to earn significantly higher here. Benicia is one of the the best places to raise a family in the Bay Area right now. It would be fair to say that the Bay to Breakers festival is more like a second Halloween for adults to enjoy. Since Im being honest, Id like to point out that wildfires will become a part of your daily vocabulary while living in California. 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. 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. In the past year, appreciation rates for homes in the Benicia area were 5.8% and 5 year appreciation rates were 10.7%. Fuel is also expensive, averaging $4.20 per gallon in May 2019, making it the most expensive place to fill up in the country. I would strongly recommend Benicia if you guys were looking for a traditional affluent suburban experience with traditional schools, but it doesn't sound like that is what you want. Benicia is no more than 10 minutes from Vallejo. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. The year over year appreciation rates in Redding were 4.4%, and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 6.4%. 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. 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. Vallejo has a bad rap about crime; Benicia has a large oil refinery in town, with the environmental concerns that entails; you'd want to research each of those issues extensively, as well as your school options, before committing. The cost of housing is "cheaper " compared to some bay area locations. beautiful parks and the social activities in town are always wonderful. Thank you for helping me decide. 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 Another vote for the Amtrak Capitol from Martinez to Oakland. Weather In Colombia. Climate. Yeah Im somewhere in a similar predicament. Thanks again, really appreciate it . Then spend time in the bay area on weekends. Fantastic schools, a good community, and much more affordable than the Bay Area. One thing you quickly learn after moving to California is that you will never go hungry. 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.

3001 Lombardy Road, Pasadena, Ca, Articles P