Good Stuff. Additionally, Barcelona enjoys a bit more than 2500 hours of sunshine a year - about average for the south of Europe. 8. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is the city is $3,108 per month. 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. 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. 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. At the beginning of 2021, the median home price was around $382,000. Too many people; California being one of the most populated cities makes people scramble for the limited space in the area. 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. The Pros and Cons of Pros-and-Cons Lists - Harvard Business Review Its also home to some of the worst performing schools in the country. Non-Latino Caucasians represent 37.2% of the population. Hi there,We are very excited and sad to be moving from our home in the Colorado Mountains to the Bay Area. Con: Difficulty with access The town is very laid back, so the police officers seem to jump on any violation where they can. we love it here! 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! The bridge commute isn't that bad, depending on timing. Is buying and building a home in Smith River, Ca any better when it comes to the cons you stated. 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. Sorry Cali. Benicia City Hall, 250 East L Street Benicia, CA 94510 Phone: (707) 746-4200 Benicia is in Solano County. Hello and welcome to the Bay! 1. 4. 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. I worked a few years in downtown Benicia commuting from Berkeley this combo. Also does anyone know of resources for commuters from Benicia? Pros and Cons of living in Barcelona - 10 best and worst things I love the East Bay especially Berkeley. Hi I'm a mom with two teen boys. That said, groceries, utilities, public transport and even alcohol are all reasonably priced compared to the prices in most Western countries. Pinole has a Peet's, In n Out, and a Trader Joe's. Benicia is a small town on the carquinez strait bordering Vallejo. Even having a sourdough bread bowl filled with chowder while enjoying a view of Alcatraz makes for a memorable day. We absolutely love this community!! The weather is always nice enough in San Francisco to get outside, so youll see people enjoying the outdoors through hiking and cycling. Living In Redding, CA - AreaVibes Pros of Living in Australia One of the many benefits of living in Australia is its healthcare. Based on violent and property crime rates. By the 1870s, the first cable cars began to operate, providing a public transportation option for a city that reached a population of 150,000 people. You expressed some of the cons which I forgot about, such as income tax and of course the homelessness. It was a film for San Francisco City Sights where I discussed the pros and cons of that Organization. There are about 23.6 students per teacher in Benicia. 9. I recall a particularly bad stretch where residents were asked to save shower water to water plants. Im guessing youve never live on your own. The Capitol Corridor trains run several times each day, although the latest one to Oakland leaves Martinez at about 10:30 p.m. Assuming that Benicia meets all of your requirements, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Benicia. 8. pragmatic theory of truth pros and cons San Francisco is one of the best dog-friendly cities in the United States. Its becoming a state for the independently wealthy, LARGE salary earners, and just people who were lucky enough to have already lived there for generations. What Are some Pros and Cons of Living in Northern California But which state is best to stay for a loner like me who has zero support from any angle. The Pros And Cons Of Living In Each State. But since there are many children in that town I never minded that they were agressive. I don't think I could ever find a more lovely town. You have access to cabs, bicycles, scooters, buses, trollies, and light rail so that you can access almost any part of the city. Dont trust Google for your public transportation schedules. So Im thinking of relocating to California, myself. Even stores like Walgreens sell produce in the city. There are lots of job opportunities available in San Francisco. Traffic and homeless is not something to fun to see they are in need of help but no one can. Yet, if people are looking for a vacation spot that is relaxing and welcoming, Benicia is it. 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 Benicia cost of living is 158.3 100=National Average AVERAGE RENT BY BEDROOM SIZE You are welcome to email me if you have any questions. The BART is a little bit of a hike, but doable. The country supports a universal system, and expats can expect to receive high-quality care while living here. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of living in Wisconsin before moving there. Here we have the 13 pros that we and the people in the video think are the best traits of living in Colombia. The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay. The whole bus will start yelling at you too, so maybe dont be the first one out until you get used to the situation. I suggest that you try looking at Davis. 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. When weighing the pros and cons of living in Dallas, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. 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. I will likely take BART. Several apartment complexes and condos offer these areas as well. Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. Spacious new 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartment homes offer high-quality kitchen appliances, private patios or balconies and plentiful storage. We live in Benicia, and moved here for the great schools. 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. If there is anything else you like to know please email me at aware1967 [at] yahoo.com. Whenever I visit other cities, Im constantly met with enjoy your visit, but dont move here which stopped being funny in 2010. Benicia, California . But it could be different on some days; I'm not sure. 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. If you are moving to the area with your family, then Noe Valley tends to be the place where you end up. 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. 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. Benicia is known to be family friendly as more than 76% of the population has already tied the knot. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living . Im looking for input on areas that have nice high schools(safe). 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. Traffic inside of the city it difficult to manage at almost any time of day including the overnight hours. 10 Pros and Cons of Living in California Right Now I originally thought I could work primarily from home, but now it appears I will have to go into the office in downtown Oakland several times a week. 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. Living in Bali: The Costs, Pros and Cons - Omnivagant We're moving to the north bay area in couple of months. Sales tax is the highest in the nation. The cost of living in South Korea varies depending on the city one lives in. 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. All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. Home appreciation rates are a good way to generate tax-free equity on a long term basis. SCHOOLS Benicia public schools spend $8,132 per student. Have you ever consider Benicia? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Enter California, a state that averages 260+ days of sunshine per year. 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. 5. My Aunts house I have been staying over for a while costs over $950,000 and its a middle class house. Not too cold either. Does anyone have any negative or positive experiences with the above, especially the refinery. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. Pinole has easy access to the rest of the Bay Area but much more limited bay access. We lived in California in the past two other times, once in Lompoc and other in Monterey. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! Another vote for the Amtrak Capitol from Martinez to Oakland. I work for Macys and am scared to death to drive out there (foolish I Know) . It has wonderful parks, a great community, very good public schools and the town itself is just a gem. Fantastic schools, a good community, and much more affordable than the Bay Area. 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. The price of most rentals is very reasonable and the houses are very nice. We also have friends in Roseville who absolutely love its family-friendliness and easy light rail commute into downtown Sac. In addition to being a great spot in the state of Georgia, it is also a great spot in the United States. It also is the place of events, like town parades that seem to come straight out of the movies! Your property taxes are going to be higher if you own too since the property values are skyrocketing in the 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. Disadvantages of a Living Trust Funding a Trust Is Expensive . My goal is to be part of a pretty active community in a walkable charming old seaport town. Gas is also usually $1-$2 more a gallon than most other states. This goes hand-in-hand with the relaxed vibe. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. What's the crime rate in Benicia California? Then, if your bus is going through Chinatown, expect a lengthy delay. But if you choose to live in a city further inland, you can expect blazing hot summers. The core downtown area is kinda cute, but Benicia's got it beat by a landslide. 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. Some places in Florida have been ranked 8% lower to 18% higher in cost compared to the average American city. Pros And Cons Of Living In Colombia - How To Expat Davis makes the most sense. Strong and Growing Arts and Culture There is plenty of culture, art, and science to explore in San Diego, especially at Balboa Park. We have a Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Peet's etc. 7. These were helpful. The year over year appreciation rates in Redding were 4.4%, and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 6.4%. Today Id like to share my list of the honest pros and cons of living in California. This may be the most honest review of anything (period) Ive ever read on the internet. The homeless population has gotten completely out of control and is scary at this point. 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. It's definitely cheaper than Berkeley, safe, quiet, but with a great ''old town'' downtown. It's only fitting to consider the pros and cons of this popular decision-making tool: The Pros Rigor. 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. One thing I do miss about Berkeley/Oakland/Albany are the amazing restaurants, but my kids are little so we rarely go out anyway. We will be renting. Select any title to view the full question and replies. 2. It might also be worth noting that 63% of residents also have children under the age of 18. Ive lived in Sacramento twice- fun times, but you never have much money to spare. Many young professionals live in Benicia and residents tend to have moderate political views. And almost anywhere in the city, you can see the water. The downtown area is pretty flat, so it is perfect for strolling around or bicycling. I would love feedback. You are a short drive from some of the best places in California. California is home to nine national parks, which means it has more national parks than any other state in America, including Alaska! 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. 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 It all sounds like fun to move but when youre actually far from your old surrondings and family then it can be pretty frightening at the least. You will also find some amazing mountains and wonderful outdoor activities. 19 Pros and Cons of Living in San Francisco, California An increase in your homes value can be a good way to generate tax-free equity that can create long term financial security. We live next to Benicia, but technically are zip coded as Vallejo. 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. 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. - The Weather Northern California is home to a lot of wonderful weather. 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. If you work in tech or film, theres no better place to live than California. The downtown main street is popular with visitors and residents walking their dogs. 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. And the school are highly rated. It would be fair to say that the Bay to Breakers festival is more like a second Halloween for adults to enjoy. Living In California Vs Florida: Pros And Cons In 2023 - Budget Travel Buff Dictionary Entries Near pros and cons prosaist pros and cons Prosarthri See More Nearby Entries Cite this Entry Style 8. You really arent a true resident of the city until youve seen someone walking down the street naked. The Inland Empire has an economy larger than the entire state of Kansas or the country of Hungary. . There is no way I can be a home owner in this day and age. Using data from crime, cost of living, weather, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages. The Lifestyle is Very Laid-Back Shorts, sunglasses, and sandals is the non-official uniform or "California look" of the Palm Springs lifestyle. And 5 reasons not to live in California. The crime rate is high; 20.3%, 3 times (in 100,000 people) more than the entire US itself. 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. A commute of around 45 min from Valejo is ok. Also can you reccomend any good rental agents? And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. 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. I'm wondering if being in Martinez would actually save that much time compared with Benicia. At least you wont be shoveling snow by the foot like people to the north are during the winter months from the same storms. Did you ever live in any other state for any amount of time? The town puts on wonderful holiday celebrations and the entire town comes out to celebrate. Some may even offer excursions to other parts of the peninsula and the bay so that you can get out and about on your weekend. If you live downtown, you can walk to everything without a car. We currently live in LA and are pre-retirement. vehicle trips take 60% longer during rush hour in San Diego. and a Pain It generally costs more time and money to set up and fund a revocable living trust than to simply write a willas much as three times more, at least initially. Selecting a category below will take you to another page. The Pros and Cons of Living Trusts - AARP Without any friends or family waiting for me there. 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. The Pros and Cons of Revocable Living Trusts - The Balance As you look at each state you will see some common themes. 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. Like do people carpool from Benicia to BART? There is more access to healthier food choices, including the presence of several farmers markets throughout the city. Select any tags that apply to this area. It really shows when you are out around town. Just my opinion. 7. Benicia is a little gem that gets overlooked because of the nearby refineries. 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). If people are looking for a place to go that has a lot to do, Benicia is not the place to go. There is a wonderful library and community pool and lots more. As you can imagine, theres definitely pockets of homogeneous areas and neighborhoods, but if you dont live in the ritzy part of town, youll find it easy to make friends with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. Benicia is a small, family-friendly town and we have lots of fun downtown activities for families and teens. As for life in California? Suburb Population 27,191 Benicia is one of the the best places to raise a family in the Bay Area right now. I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. Please. Checking rates won't affect your credit score. Find a loan that's right for you. 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. I need to move out of here. 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 great and safe community with a lots of parks.