3. All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. Moving to a cheaper area now that kids are gone, Kid friendly neighborhoods in the East Bay. Spacious new 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartment homes offer high-quality kitchen appliances, private patios or balconies and plentiful storage. We are very excited. it seems that everyone who lives here knows how special this place is and wants to take care of it. From the amazing landscapes to the diversity, to the warmth of the people and the low cost of living. It seems we can afford Benicia, Martinez and parts of Concord. My husband & I moved to Benicia with our 13-year-old son more than 33 years ago. You can find work with Netflix, Google, Facebook, Apple, Tesla, and others if you have the correct skill set. That means it has more influence than the United Kingdom, which has 26 million more people contributing to the GDP. It is a wonderful small town.Good schools. I worked a few years in downtown Benicia commuting from Berkeley this combo. See, I can't say enough good things about it. Most expats find that living in South Korea is an efficient way to save money. Well done, well said and bravo for being honest. Housing prices are comical (well, they would be if they werent reality). I dont know who can afford homes anymore. Rent is ridiculous and taxes will take up to 60% of your income. Admittedly, most of California has a Mediterranean climate with pleasant humid-free summers, especially cities that line the coast. You'll have access to amenities like an extensive trail system . 1. 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. You will also find some amazing mountains and wonderful outdoor activities. Several apartment complexes and condos offer these areas as well. California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and its not hard to see why. 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. In Oceanside, the cost of living is 43.8% higher than the national average. 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). Everyone is welcome, no matter what your race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status happens to be. The best ride of all is the ferry from Mare Island Channel but it only goes to Alameda and by way of SF. It only takes one missed stop to figure that issue out. But which state is best to stay for a loner like me who has zero support from any angle. In addition to the high sales and income taxes, California also has the highest gas prices in the country too. You can also find affordable rentals around the state in popular cities like Henderson, where a two-bedroom apartment averages around $1,700. #3. The Economic Life Puerto Rico is more about social life than economics. 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. And the scenery is amazingly beautiful! I not ready to drop off the vine yet, but I want a lifestyle change. If you decide to start living here, then youll want to make sure that there is an emergency kit available for immediate access. 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. Manage Settings Then, if your bus is going through Chinatown, expect a lengthy delay. 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 BART to downtown Oakland. Unlike wills, trusts require that you give up direct ownership of that property. Like do people carpool from Benicia to BART? You expressed some of the cons which I forgot about, such as income tax and of course the homelessness. Just an FYI that Amtrak runs from Martinez to Jack London Sq in Oakland - so that might be another option. Then spend time in the bay area on weekends. Con: Difficulty with access Average temperatures vary by city, but by and large, you can expect highs around 69F in the winter and 80-85F in the summer. 24+ Pros And Cons Of Living In California (You Must Know) Characterized by the quintessential beaches, surging tides, the iconic Hollywood, palms trees, the Golden Gate Bridge, and so many more California is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable states in the United States of America. There is no doubt that living in San Francisco is expense. 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. Kathy, Re: considering a move to Sacramento 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. 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. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. The North Bay is really a great place to live. Yeah Im somewhere in a similar predicament. I mean, its no coincidence that California has more national parks than any other state and draws millions of visitors annually. If youre planning on moving to California, heres a quick recap of the pros and cons of living in California. Everyone loves it; its pristine coastline, picturesque vineyards, wineries, and snow-clad Sierra Nevada Range which maintains its warm weather perfectly. 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. Costco is close by, and plenty of Starbucks. I agree with some of your assessments. I would also love any information you can give about that in relation to California. we love it here! Great parks. The Amicalola Falls are among the biggest, and they are a popular attraction for Georgia residents to check out and enjoy. California would have the fifth-largest economy in the world if the state were an independent nation. Parking is a significant problem as well. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Benicia, well see that the home price to income ratio is 5.5, which is 14.1% lower than the California average. A reasonable cost of living, good schools, family-friendly activities, and decent weather are the major draws to the city. We lived in California in the past two other times, once in Lompoc and other in Monterey. Benicia, CA is a seaside town that people think of when they think "getaway vacation". Also occasionally you can smell the refinery - some people are bothered by this, some are not. Purchasing your new home can come with many financial benefits, some of which are more lucrative than others. Costumes are a way of life in San Francisco. You can also catch the NBA, NHL, and MLS when living in the city. Living in PR means, you will be living in lines for everything as well. Dictionary Entries Near pros and cons prosaist pros and cons Prosarthri See More Nearby Entries Cite this Entry Style We currently live in LA and are pre-retirement. The town gets two big thumbs up from me!!! There are plenty of opportunities for you to create a startup in this environment as well. 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. Even if you want a studio apartment, youre going to be paying more than $2,000 per month to live in the city. You are going to need some cash to make things happen if you want to start living here. Benicia is a small town on the carquinez strait bordering Vallejo. I like it a lot and it is definitely walkable and has a lot of charming small businesses on 1st street. Median real estate prices in Redding come in at $232,000, which is 43.3% lower than the California average. 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). It also feels much less crowded here than it does everywhere else. Our initial concern about this town is that there is a refinery , but it hasn't bothered us at all since we've been here (about 6 months). When making a big move. The schools are well-rated. People from Martinez drive, at least as far as my acquaintance goes. Thats when the name of the city changed for the full-time population of about 800 people. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. It is very much a small town. When you do need to travel somewhere, using an Uber or Lyft is still affordable. 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. Although technically anyone can live anywhere and find a reasonable level of acceptance, youll want to research the different neighborhoods in San Francisco to see where your comfort zone is going to be. 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. I have friends in Benicia who say the schools are good, but I have not checked that out as a fact. Sign up for a yoga class on the beach and see what all the hype is about. My 'husband' and I want to move to either Benicia or Pinole. 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. One thing I do miss about Berkeley/Oakland/Albany are the amazing restaurants, but my kids are little so we rarely go out anyway. 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. Calculated annually per 100,000 residents. Although you'll want to leave early in the day to avoid traffic issues, the central location means a day trip can help you to avoid lodging expenses. 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. Im looking for input on areas that have nice high schools(safe). It also is the place of events, like town parades that seem to come straight out of the movies! Colombia is a beautiful country and has much to offer. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). The Inland Empire has an economy larger than the entire state of Kansas or the country of Hungary. I couldnt agree more! Hard to complain about that! Antioch reminds me of Elk Grove now. Thank you! Copyright © 2023 Embrace Someplace | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Even stores like Walgreens sell produce in the city. I totally agree with you I have lived in many places (states) myself I currently reside in California for the past 17 years and everything you say is totally true Plus there ever increasing earthquakes in the sea level is rising It is sad to see the homeless living here and there but Ive also heard of some of them breaking in some of these empty houses (people are being kicked out they could not pay the extreme increase for the rent) I live in Acampo but I have to drive to Stockton for a client and his neighbor finally got his home back from the homeless it was taken from him for years His neighbor was wanting to move and get out of California and his house was left vacant so they took over and he cant do nothing about it, Thanks for the honest information. 3. Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Redding on a regular basis. 2. However, it can be a little too hot for some. With prices like this, theres no denying that living in California isnt even in the same timezone as affordable. Thanks again, really appreciate it . Have you looked at Benicia? We live in Benicia, and moved here for the great schools. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. 3. We live next to Benicia, but technically are zip coded as Vallejo. That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. 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. There is no way I can be a home owner in this day and age. Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living. Can you share your insights? Strong and Growing Arts and Culture There is plenty of culture, art, and science to explore in San Diego, especially at Balboa Park. Never noticed till gone for awhile, but a lot of the kindness and friendliness is a phoney act. I recall a particularly bad stretch where residents were asked to save shower water to water plants. There is a lot of activities that you can do in the city. I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. Checking rates won't affect your credit score. If you arent involved in the high-tech sector, there are still excellent jobs in healthcare, hospitality, and indirect positions that contribute to the economy. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. 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. Those are awful places to live with skewed statistics on crime and things because it isnt a total picture of this great state. 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. Climate. Im a California native and have lived in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco over the past ten years. The crime rate is high; 20.3%, 3 times (in 100,000 people) more than the entire US itself. Every neighborhood has a couple of dog parks that offer an expansive area for leash-free running. Hi there,We are very excited and sad to be moving from our home in the Colorado Mountains to the Bay Area. Select any title to view the full question and replies. Living in California is a tale of extremes extreme wealth and extreme poverty. Assuming that Redding meets all of your requirements, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Redding. ), and of course the accommodation itself. Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, librairies, etc., Benicia has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. Benicia ca - The Pros and Cons of Benicia California, Moving to Benicia ca. Good Stuff. It can be a challenge to get used to the weather in San Francisco. 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. Feel free to email me! Good luck with your search! The economy across the entire Bay Area is on fire right now. Wefeel close to everything but also far away, if that makes any sense. The homeless population has gotten completely out of control and is scary at this point. Commute from Benicia to SF is a two-bridge commute. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin before moving there. 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). Benicia cost of living is 158.3 100=National Average AVERAGE RENT BY BEDROOM SIZE Thank you! California is a beautiful state California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and it's not hard to see why. All Rights Reserved. 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. Non-Latino Caucasians represent 37.2% of the population. The median price for a single-family home in the city was $1.65 million in May 2019. (Great Pyrenees and Newfoundland; excellent conversation starters in their own right). Pinole is OK. I can highly recommend Pinole. what if i am moving to cali for a decent paying tech job ? Many employers offer free shuttles and other transportation services. I like your negative points. 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. My husband works in Sacramento, and we want to move a bit closer to his work. I need to move out of here. Find a loan that's right for you. Niche is not a lender and does not endorse the products of these advertisers. I have great news, you should be able to stave off boredom while living in California because theres never a shortage of fun things to do! Thank you for helping me decide. Also does anyone know of resources for commuters from Benicia? The Lifestyle is Very Laid-Back Shorts, sunglasses, and sandals is the non-official uniform or "California look" of the Palm Springs lifestyle. There may be a few flaws to living in Davis. Needless to say, the houses cost a lot less in Roseville! happy empty nesters. Therfore just to visit weekend ok but not to live in Cali. The Pros And Cons Of Living In Each State. Not as familiar with the central county high schools. And the school are highly rated. All she said is true. I find, though, that it is a great place for us empty nesters, too. There are also several celebrations that you can only find in San Francisco, such as Fleet Week and Bay to Breakers. 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. 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. Permanent residents can receive medical for free or at extremely low costs. 5. Most points in downtown Martinez are (for those without mobility limitations) within walking distance of the Amtrak station. More Education Best Places to Live in Benicia Rankings View All I was born and raised in the Monterey Bay area and forced by parents to move away. The Davis Farmers' Market has been named the best in the country, and for good reason. 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.