The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. If youre considering moving to California and settling further from the coast, understand that the average summer temperature exceed 95F and 100F+ days are not uncommon. Have you ever consider Benicia? There is a very active moms club with about 130 members. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. 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. 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. Suburb Population 27,191 California is a pay to play state, theres no way around it. Antioch reminds me of Elk Grove now. This goes hand-in-hand with the constant sunshine, but California has some of the mildest winters in the country. 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. 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. Calculated annually per 100,000 residents. There are plenty of opportunities for you to create a startup in this environment as well. However, it can be a little too hot for some. It continues to be one of the worst and deadliest earthquakes in U.S. history. The traffic in San Francisco is legendarily terrible. Especially a young woman. plus a bunch of chains and a handful of mom and pops. Hope this helps! I have 2 young sons and we absolutely love it here! 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. Access to the beach Los Angeles is considered one of the best food cities in America. 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. Those are awful places to live with skewed statistics on crime and things because it isnt a total picture of this great state. Benicia is a suburb of Vallejo with a population of 27,191. My husband is a professional musician (piano player) who makes his living playing for famous(and not so famous) singers. I hate to burst your bubble, but lets look at the numbers. The median home cost in Benicia is Real Estate: $763,400. But which state is best to stay for a loner like me who has zero support from any angle. You can easily join a fitness class, a sports league, or some other favorite activity to start making friends when living in San Francisco. In just two years, the population reached 25,000 people. There is a local park that the locals are hoping the state does not close. ben suarez bread / joseph wiley kim burrell / pragmatic theory of truth pros and cons. Con: Difficulty with access The Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States. That means you can use the money that youd spend on your car payment, automotive insurance, and fuel to ease the burden of your rental costs in the city. An amount below 100 means Benicia is cheaper than the US average. 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. Kathy, Re: considering a move to Sacramento Expensive energy costs; the cost of gasoline and electricity is very high in California compared to other states. There's even a bounce house for the kids! Benicia is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. You displayed the positive of moving to California and the negative alike. The year over year appreciation rates in Redding were 4.4%, and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 6.4%. Our oldest grandson (who is 20 years old) graduated from Benicia High School and is doing extremely well in college. There is plenty of fog that rolls through the city as well. We are also less than 20mins away from Napa. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. We also have friends in Roseville who absolutely love its family-friendliness and easy light rail commute into downtown Sac. An increase in your homes value can be a good way to generate tax-free equity that can create long term financial security. Kelly, Hmm, well, I worked in Benicia for many years and was never seriously tempted to live there. My goal is to be part of a pretty active community in a walkable charming old seaport town. Hmm. If you want to eat out while living in the city, then be prepared to pay much more than what the average American spends for the privilege. When you look at the city, San Francisco and the Bay Area has the 19th-largest domestic economy in the world. The economy across the entire Bay Area is on fire right now. 8. Dictionary Entries Near pros and cons prosaist pros and cons Prosarthri See More Nearby Entries Cite this Entry Style And the school are highly rated. Needless to say, the houses cost a lot less in Roseville! Some costumes in the city are elaborate. 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. 3. Savannah Savannah is one of the most popular cities in Georgia. Yet another perk of living in California is seldom feeling rushed. There is a wonderful library and community pool and lots more. Those with a degree in Bachelor of Engineering earn $103,528 on average and Ph.D. holders make an average of $115,087. Not each of them applies to every state. From the striking sunny coastline of Southern California to the towering cliffs of Big Sur, youll be privy to every natural wonder in between. When James Marshall discovered gold in the area, a surge of people came to make their fortune. You will find two active Major League Baseball teams in the Bay Area for you to catch a game. We are looking in Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa or Fairfield/Vacaville, Concord areas. Im terrified. 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. Benicia, CA is a seaside town that people think of when they think "getaway vacation". My hubby will be working in vallejo. Youll discover that not only is it one of the best sports-related metro areas in the country, but San Francisco offers several cultural options as well. 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. The Economic Life Puerto Rico is more about social life than economics. She developedasthma after moving there. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. However, there can be some health disadvantages. 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. Benicia has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #160 in California and #4,047 in the USA. No longer do you need to be stuck in long-term lease agreements. The cost of living in San Francisco is equally high. Whenever I visit other cities, Im constantly met with enjoy your visit, but dont move here which stopped being funny in 2010. You expressed some of the cons which I forgot about, such as income tax and of course the homelessness. A con. There are many additional borrowing options available. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. They both have advantages of amazing views from many neighborhoods. beautiful parks and the social activities in town are always wonderful. And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. Are people dying by the hands of the government in California or did I miss something? Carrie. I take my daughter to a lot of activities in Benicia. recommendations? You can also catch the NBA, NHL, and MLS when living in the city. You have to drive to Concord or Fairfield for a Trader Joes, and the closest Whole Foods is in Napa or Walnut Creek. It is very much a small town. I think the town has more of what you're looking for. I like it a lot and it is definitely walkable and has a lot of charming small businesses on 1st street. Canada is Beautiful Let's face it - Canada is one of the most Instagrammable (read, stunningly beautiful) places in the world. Since you don't need to deal with the commute into SF (which can be horrendous, from what I've heard), the only downside I can think of is that you can see the oil refinery 'stacks' from some parts of the town (the neighborhoods above the freeway), and that kind of mars some of the scenery. The pros and cons of living in San Francisco will always look at the cost first. 9. There are also several celebrations that you can only find in San Francisco, such as Fleet Week and Bay to Breakers. I was born and raised in the East Bay. The claims of 60% will go to taxes are ludicrous- yes taxes are high, but not to the point of bankrupting you. I not ready to drop off the vine yet, but I want a lifestyle change. 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. This goes hand-in-hand with the relaxed vibe. And it's one of the most underrated, which means it's not as full of tourists as other places, like Montreal and Vancouver. Instead, it's normally transferred, or "retitled," into the trust. 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. 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. 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). My Aunts house I have been staying over for a while costs over $950,000 and its a middle class house. 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. I suggest that you try looking at Davis. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The homeless population has gotten completely out of control and is scary at this point. Rent is ridiculous and taxes will take up to 60% of your income. There is a significant issue with homeless and drug addiction in the city. Public transportation in San Francisco covers the entire city. 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. When making a big move. Selecting a category below will take you to another page. Everyone loves it; its pristine coastline, picturesque vineyards, wineries, and snow-clad Sierra Nevada Range which maintains its warm weather perfectly. Its hard to enjoy everything the state has to offer if you arent bringing in a considerable annual income. Human trafficking is ramped. Though it is a suburb of Vallejo, it is significantly different. 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". Living in Redding, CA Redding, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 91,320 inhabitants. If you're looking for a broker, the woman we worked with, Brenda Turner-Adams, was awesome. Benicia is looking like where we might land. The town gets two big thumbs up from me!!! Another really fun event is the Tree Lighting Ceremony. We have two children under 2. Purchasing your new home can come with many financial benefits, some of which are more lucrative than others. 10 Pros And Cons Of Living In California To get us rolling. Neighborhood define you in San Francisco. Housing prices everywhere are just off the charts! There are two Macy's stores near Benicia - one in Concord (about 15 miles away) and the other in Fairfield (also about 15 miles away.) I grew up in Sacramento actaully Elk Grove before all those houses were built. It also feels much less crowded here than it does everywhere else. 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 really is a beautiful hidden gem in the Bay Area and I feel lucky to live here! 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. JL. 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. Taxes are high in San Francisco, but this disadvantage applies to the entire state of California. If you dont have a car, public transportation is the breeding ground for all the above. If so, youll be joining many other Californians in the most populous state in the country. Based on violent and property crime rates. Most expats find that living in South Korea is an efficient way to save money. My friend who lives in Benicia says she would not make that decision again. Redding, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 91,320 inhabitants. Benicia or Martinez for commute to Oakland? Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. I think Hercules High is pretty strong (that is my school district). I appreciate any info/input you have. Manage Settings You cant beat the weather and people who live here love it. We live in Benicia, and moved here for the great schools. If you are checking out out the area, don't skip Glen Cove, which is next to Benicia. The price of most rentals is very reasonable and the houses are very nice. 80 bus from VTC to Del Norte BART. 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. You'll have access to amenities like an extensive trail system . 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'd suggest spending a full day in each. And almost anywhere in the city, you can see the water. Living in Redding can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the town. You are welcome to email me if you have any questions. California is a beautiful state California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and it's not hard to see why. Both times we were military and received housing allowance. I would crack up when the ''water view'' was looking at the refinery, but there are plenty of houses that do have a real water view. There is very little police protection. 25 Pros and Cons of Living in San Diego There are many positive aspects of residing in San Diego including these that are worth mentioning: 1. Regardless, I hope you find it helpful. Without any friends or family waiting for me there. 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. Even if you want a studio apartment, youre going to be paying more than $2,000 per month to live in the city. Just my opinion. In Redding, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 18.8% lower than the California average. Living in Benicia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many employers offer free shuttles and other transportation services. 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. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of . 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. There are a lot of gorgeous aspects of San Francisco to love, but the issues the city has with heroin and meth are quite problematic. You will always find people out with their pets during the day, enjoying the sunny weather in the city when it arrives. but not great in my opinion restaurants, and there are only local stores such as Raley's or Safeway. (Doesnt seem like it to me, but Im open to learning). Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. P.S. People will generally move to the US for better education or well-paying jobs. So youre moving to California with the intention of buying a home? Don't drive 29 miles/hr in a 25 mile zone, 'cause the cops will ticket you immediately. Overall, Valero is the economic engine of town - largest employer, taxpayer, etc. 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. 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.. The whole bus will start yelling at you too, so maybe dont be the first one out until you get used to the situation. Pinole has a Peet's, In n Out, and a Trader Joe's. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. Hear what they say to your face then listen closely what they say behind your back. Several of the bars in the city will even let you bring your dog into the establishment if it isnt a busy night for them. Hard to complain about that! Benicia's schools are arguably better. 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. Low crime. Dont base your schedule on what it tells you. I'm wondering if being in Martinez would actually save that much time compared with Benicia. That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. SCHOOLS Benicia public schools spend $8,132 per student. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin before moving there. People in the city take this issue very seriously. I worked a few years in downtown Benicia commuting from Berkeley this combo. Living in Benicia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. I memorized a script. Colombia is a beautiful country and has much to offer. Even stores like Walgreens sell produce in the city. My husband & I moved to Benicia with our 13-year-old son more than 33 years ago. California is not the place you want to come to without knowing anybody. The state has a fairly relaxed vibe to it, people seem to move at a slower pace. Explore the dramatic desert in the Mojave, the granite cliffs of Yosemite National Park, the towering trees in Redwood National Park or the rolling hills of Napa Valley and youll see what all the fuss is about. San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living . Google Maps likes to tell you when the next bus will arrive, but it is rarely accurate. Benicia is no more than 10 minutes from Vallejo. It is a wonderful small town.Good schools. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Yet another thing to be mindful of while living in California are the constant droughts. 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 mean, its no coincidence that California has more national parks than any other state and draws millions of visitors annually. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. I worked in Benicia for 5 years (commuting from Berkeley), and spent time in Vallejo for work purposes during that job. Costumes are a way of life in San Francisco. Re: Moving to a cheaper area now that kids are gone There may be a few flaws to living in Davis. As a budget traveler and travel blogger, this is definitely the number one plus for living in Europe. 14 Pros of Living in Vancouver, BC PRO: YVR is a fantastic airport Pro: Amazing schooling Pro: Shopping haven Pro: It's home to Stanley Park Pro: You'll always find food trucks Pro: Plenty of fun sporting events Pro: You don't need to know French Pro: The nightlife Pro: Relatively moderate weather Pro: Easy access to nature In Benicia there are a lot of parks. 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. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. It might be worthwhile to consider commuting if you can manage the traffic situation in the city. - The Weather Northern California is home to a lot of wonderful weather. 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). You will also find some amazing mountains and wonderful outdoor activities. Our (only) son went off to OSU (Oregon)3 years ago. And these are just prices for flights! Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. Ive lived in Sacramento twice- fun times, but you never have much money to spare. There is no way I can be a home owner in this day and age. San Francisco is one of the best dog-friendly cities in the United States. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. 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. If you make more than $1 million per year, then theres a 1% surtax to pay as well. Im glad Im not the only one feeling this. It really shows when you are out around town. It only takes one missed stop to figure that issue out. 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. But moving here is a bad idea. What's the crime rate in Benicia California? Rent too high. 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. Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. 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.