But these are the things most people are looking for. 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. ), and of course the accommodation itself. Everything from fashion to film and tech is covered pretty well in California, so you honestly wont have much a reason to be bored. JL. These are the pros and cons of living in San Francisco today that are worth considering. 3. I would also love any information you can give about that in relation to California. Thats when the name of the city changed for the full-time population of about 800 people. And almost anywhere in the city, you can see the water. Your property taxes are going to be higher if you own too since the property values are skyrocketing in the city. The town puts on wonderful holiday celebrations and the entire town comes out to celebrate. Mountain living is ideal for people who appreciate peace, quiet, and the chance to inhabit their own little slice of mostly untouched nature. 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! Looking for a light filled home close to hiking/walking trails. Taxes too high. 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Also fairly close to a Macys without having to get on any major highways. The Economic Life Puerto Rico is more about social life than economics. Which city would you recommend social wise? Benicia is no more than 10 minutes from Vallejo. She developedasthma after moving there. Median real estate prices in Redding come in at $232,000, which is 43.3% lower than the California average. Climate. A great and safe community with a lots of parks. In San Francisco alone, tech accounts for 20.5% of all jobs, with the largest employers being Facebook, Netflix, Google, Yahoo, Apple and Tesla. The income tax rate is one of the highest in the country at 12.3%, even though that rate only applies to taxable income above $572,000. 4. Every neighborhood has a couple of dog parks that offer an expansive area for leash-free running. Well done, well said and bravo for being honest. Half Moon Bay is only thirty minutes to the east of the city. We lived in Benicia for 10 yrs and we made the big mistake of moving away from it. For me, it would depend on what kind of town I want to live in, schools, etc. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. It's definitely cheaper than Berkeley, safe, quiet, but with a great ''old town'' downtown. Whenever I visit other cities, Im constantly met with enjoy your visit, but dont move here which stopped being funny in 2010. All Rights Reserved. Benicia is in Solano County. Los Angeles is considered one of the best food cities in America. I find, though, that it is a great place for us empty nesters, too. Although there are free parking options outside of the city center, the average monthly rate to keep your vehicle stored while you work comes to about $310 per month. thank you Hmm. The economy in San Francisco keeps humming along. Yes, Florida is much cheaper than California because the cost of living is just 1% higher than the national average. Immigrationgeez. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. 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. recommendations? Hard to complain about that! The culture is also backwards in the South, things you thought were fashionable as a given- be it clothing, music, even lingo- often dont even exist there. It is a family oriented community with many kid-friendly events (family movie night in the park once a month in summer, children's art festival in the park, street fairs, parades, farmer's market on thursday nights, swimming pool, classes and camps through the parks and recreation department, good library events). 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. When weighing the pros and cons of living in Dallas, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. 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. 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. One feature that Martinez has that Benicia does not have is a direct connection on Amtrak from Jack London Square (or West Berkeley). Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. Yet, if people are looking for a vacation spot that is relaxing and welcoming, Benicia is it. California is home to nine national parks, which means it has more national parks than any other state in America, including Alaska! By 1900, that figure had doubled again. Living In. If you dont have a car, public transportation is the breeding ground for all the above. I was orig from CA. Get approval in minutes. There are lots of job opportunities available in San Francisco. Sacramento is underrated as a city---it's really on the upswing as people migrate their to escape the prices in the Bay. Those are awful places to live with skewed statistics on crime and things because it isnt a total picture of this great state. 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. I like your negative points. If people are looking for a place to go that has a lot to do, Benicia is not the place to go. If youre planning on moving to California, heres a quick recap of the pros and cons of living in California. As for life in California? Also occasionally you can smell the refinery - some people are bothered by this, some are not. . If you have any question, you can email me as well. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Benicia: Benicia State Capitol and Historical Park, Benicia State Recreation Area, and Benicia Historical Museum. Rent is ridiculous and taxes will take up to 60% of your income. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. Benicia is a small town on the carquinez strait bordering Vallejo. Have you considered Benicia? I love the East Bay especially Berkeley. But if you choose to live in a city further inland, you can expect blazing hot summers. It has wonderful parks, a great community, very good public schools and the town itself is just a gem. Con: Difficulty with access 8. When you can make ends meet, you will find that this city is one of the most magical places to be on the planet. House very expensive old features. 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. The town is very laid back, so the police officers seem to jump on any violation where they can. William Richardson, an Englishman, is considered the founder of the city, which he established in 1835. This is a city that is often said to be a "love it or hate it" type . There are plenty of opportunities for you to create a startup in this environment as well. Another really fun event is the Tree Lighting Ceremony. We considered buying in Benicia around this time last year. We have two children under 2. Even having a sourdough bread bowl filled with chowder while enjoying a view of Alcatraz makes for a memorable day. Benicia is a nice little town, and the Carquinez Strait is really lovely. Although I have never lived there, I have visited Davis a lot, and suspect that on a daily basis, it's more like Berkeley/Oakland/Albany than either Benicia or Vallejo. People there either take the 80 express bus to SF, or drive to Del Norte BART, park there, and BART into SF from there. You can find work with Netflix, Google, Facebook, Apple, Tesla, and others if you have the correct skill set. Our (only) son went off to OSU (Oregon)3 years ago. 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. Hi! 3. At the beginning of 2021, the median home price was around $382,000. Im guessing youve never live on your own. Actually sales tax was less there than the state Im in now (Louisiana)- so was car insurance. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. The pros and cons of living in San Francisco will always look at the cost first. I honestly cant recall the last summer where imminent wildfire danger didnt stress me out. 2. Fuel is also expensive, averaging $4.20 per gallon in May 2019, making it the most expensive place to fill up in the country. My aunt lives in Sacramento and I refuse to visit her in summer because I just cant deal with the oppressing heat. Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. People don't care about each other. Therfore just to visit weekend ok but not to live in Cali. It was a film for San Francisco City Sights where I discussed the pros and cons of that Organization. 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. No longer do you need to be stuck in long-term lease agreements. The Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States. The cost of living in Nevada is also lower than in many other states. If you want to rent in San Francisco, then you can expect to pay a lot for that option too. About Benicia. California is a beautiful state California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and it's not hard to see why. Also does anyone know of resources for commuters from Benicia? 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). Antioch reminds me of Elk Grove now. If you choose the back part of Pinole Valley, you get to send your daughter to Ellerhorst, which is a very good school. That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. Waisting paycheck to move to Cali. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. The discrepancy between the haves and the have-nots is painstakingly clear on the streets and practically impossible to avoid while living in California. With the new Benicia Bridge that opened late last year the commute to Contra Costa County is a breeze. It seems we can afford Benicia, Martinez and parts of Concord. You might even say that socialization doesnt really happen unless you bring your dog along. Carrie. Find a loan that's right for you. 8. BART to downtown Oakland. Can you tell us about the schools? I agree with some of your assessments. It's affortable and close to Easy Bay. Private 2 bedroom villa with pool - 10,000,000 - 15,000,000 IDR. 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. Are you thinking about moving to California? Benicia is one of the the best places to raise a family in the Bay Area right now. If you are checking out out the area, don't skip Glen Cove, which is next to Benicia. We moved to Benicia 2 1/2 years ago from Los Angeles. I know that not everyone will agree with this sentiment, but I find the people in California to be kind. You have to drive to Concord or Fairfield for a Trader Joes, and the closest Whole Foods is in Napa or Walnut Creek. It's only fitting to consider the pros and cons of this popular decision-making tool: The Pros Rigor. 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. 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. As another poster mentioned, with either Benicia or Martinez you would have to drive to Pleasant Hill Bart. I not ready to drop off the vine yet, but I want a lifestyle change. With a livability score of 62/100, Redding is ranked #21,245 in the United States and #856 in California. At least you wont be shoveling snow by the foot like people to the north are during the winter months from the same storms. The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay. The North Bay is really a great place to live. The downtown area is pretty flat, so it is perfect for strolling around or bicycling. You can get to the Fairfield store from Benicia without getting on busy highways. Have you looked at Benicia? A couple of them are atypical learners/creative types. It is very safe and family oriented. Don't drive 29 miles/hr in a 25 mile zone, 'cause the cops will ticket you immediately. Like do people carpool from Benicia to BART? but not great in my opinion restaurants, and there are only local stores such as Raley's or Safeway. Hi there,We are very excited and sad to be moving from our home in the Colorado Mountains to the Bay Area. In addition to being a great spot in the state of Georgia, it is also a great spot in the United States. An increase in your homes value can be a good way to generate tax-free equity that can create long term financial security. Pros and cons of living in Wisconsin: Bottom line. 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. Pinole has easy access to the rest of the Bay Area but much more limited bay access. Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. And these are just prices for flights! 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. 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. 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. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. Based on violent and property crime rates. 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. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! Any information would be greatly appreciated! My 'husband' and I want to move to either Benicia or Pinole. San Francisco is one of the best dog-friendly cities in the United States. Traffic inside of the city it difficult to manage at almost any time of day including the overnight hours. I'm considering a move to Benicia in the next few months. The median price for a single-family home in the city was $1.65 million in May 2019. You cant beat the weather and people who live here love it. Please. 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 has a violent crime rate of 99 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average. 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. If youre planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, its nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. Benicia has lots of open space, a state park on the water, and plenty of places to hike. I live in Benicia. 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. Even if you want a studio apartment, youre going to be paying more than $2,000 per month to live in the city. If you are trying to get somewhere during rush hour, then you need to avoid all of the highways at all costs. If you decide to start living here, then youll want to make sure that there is an emergency kit available for immediate access. We lived in California in the past two other times, once in Lompoc and other in Monterey. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. Youll have a plethora of Micheline-Star restaurants and phenomenal cheap eats to choose from. I have 2 young sons and we absolutely love it here! Have you ever consider Benicia? Instead, it's normally transferred, or "retitled," into the trust. 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. Residents of urban areas may struggle with their mental health. Especially a young woman. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. We'd also love to hear about neighborhoods. Calculated annually per 100,000 residents. The median sale price is $407,500, which is lower than neighboring state of California. We just moved there from Oakland in February and absolutely love it! Colombia is a beautiful country and has much to offer. Come to our farmers market and check out the town- every Thursday from 4-8. The claims of 60% will go to taxes are ludicrous- yes taxes are high, but not to the point of bankrupting you. Benicia is a small, family-friendly town and we have lots of fun downtown activities for families and teens. Thanks again, really appreciate it . I highly recommend Benicia. Benicia has an overall crime rate of 14 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. Im 25 now and I guess I can say that its not the easiest for me to make new connections. He called the area Yerba Buena, and it became a popular destination for Americans in the 1840s. 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. 6. There is no doubt that living in San Francisco is expense. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. Long days, regardless of mode of travel. My Aunts house I have been staying over for a while costs over $950,000 and its a middle class house. 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. Enter California, a state that averages 260+ days of sunshine per year. While this is still lower than California's cost of living, it's high enough to be expensive for most people. 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. Home appreciation rates are a good way to generate tax-free equity on a long term basis. 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. Feel free to email me! I know some folks who live in Benicia and have spent a good bit of time there. Benicia is a suburb of Vallejo with a population of 27,191. Permanent residents can receive medical for free or at extremely low costs. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). It might also be worth noting that 63% of residents also have children under the age of 18. MUNI is the public transportation system in San Francisco where you can hop onto a bus to get around the city. My biggest concern is the social aspect. It really shows when you are out around town. San Francisco was named one of the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world in 2019. Suburb Population 27,191 It would be fair to say that the city residents have a love-hate relationship with this service and most days, its more of the latter. When making a big move. Both cities are relatively well-run, as these things go; I'd give Pinole the administrative edge. Not too cold either. The refineries are all ''down wind'' and don't really have any impact on your quality of life. You do seem honest. California would have the fifth-largest economy in the world if the state were an independent nation. Private studio with shared pool - 8,000,000 - 12,000,000 IDR. Hi there. It doesn't feel very diverse and it doesn't really feel like it's part of the Bay Area proper. My hubby will be working in vallejo. Pinole is OK. A con. I take my daughter to a lot of activities in Benicia. 7. I recall a particularly bad stretch where residents were asked to save shower water to water plants. Based on the housing stock, population density, and the proximity of amenities of the area. The Pros And Cons Of Living In Each State. Benicia's schools are arguably better. It's 20 plus minutes to the Bay Bridge and 10 mins or so to Walnut Creek so it's not a bad commute and there is a ferry service into the city. My husband & I moved to Benicia with our 13-year-old son more than 33 years ago. People from Benicia drive to Pleasant Hill BART if they're going to take BART. The train goes along the Bay Shore, looking out at the Golden Gate. Fantastic schools, a good community, and much more affordable than the Bay Area. Our budget is around $2200 a month. I hate to burst your bubble, but lets look at the numbers. When James Marshall discovered gold in the area, a surge of people came to make their fortune. You will need to deal with the tax situation when living in San Francisco. That places it just one spot behind Los Angeles and one spot ahead of Switzerland yes, the country. There are plenty of activities to enjoy when living in San Francisco. Rent too high. #3. If you cant afford being here, even with a job offer, then maybe another destination is the right choice to make. The cost of living in South Korea varies depending on the city one lives in. Im glad Im not the only one feeling this. The pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. Neighborhood define you in San Francisco. People from Martinez drive, at least as far as my acquaintance goes. Its hard to enjoy everything the state has to offer if you arent bringing in a considerable annual income. It would be fair to say that the Bay to Breakers festival is more like a second Halloween for adults to enjoy. 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. But because of it's smaller size and little room for growth, it doesn't have some of the more popular stores like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, nor does it have much recreation, like bowling or a theater, so it's a bit inconvenient to have to go to Vallejo or across the bridge for some of those things. 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. Unlike wills, trusts require that you give up direct ownership of that property. The best ride of all is the ferry from Mare Island Channel but it only goes to Alameda and by way of SF. JOJ, Re: affordable housing - CON: Expensive non-essentials Benicia is known to be family friendly as more than 76% of the population has already tied the knot. Overall, Valero is the economic engine of town - largest employer, taxpayer, etc. 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. Access to the beach The core downtown area is kinda cute, but Benicia's got it beat by a landslide. Great parks. 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. Living in Redding can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the town. Hope this helps! Thanks again I really appreciate it. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. There are many additional borrowing options available. More Education Best Places to Live in Benicia Rankings View All Did you ever live in any other state for any amount of time? Although the high school has a strong arts program, overall the district spends a lot of time and emphasison test prep and there is significant homework starting in Kindergarten. In fact, Los Angeles is the second most diverse cities in the country, second only to New York City. Because of the citys location near fault lines, there is always the lingering threat of the Big One that exists in residents minds. Benicia City Hall, 250 East L Street Benicia, CA 94510 Phone: (707) 746-4200 We currently live in LA and are pre-retirement. 3. We absolutely love this community!! Chose Glen Cove over Benicia, Re: Safe, family--oriented neighborhood? Despite devastating fires and earthquakes in its early history, the people rebuilt the city to make it the wonderful place it is today.