Disadvantages of a Living Trust Funding a Trust Is Expensive . The pros and cons of living in San Francisco will always look at the cost first. It really shows when you are out around town. Carrie. Over 80% of the city was destroyed at the time, 3,000 people were killed, and 250,000 were left homeless. Traffic and homeless is not something to fun to see they are in need of help but no one can. There are plenty of activities to enjoy when living in San Francisco. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Benicia are simply unattainable. California is home to nine national parks, which means it has more national parks than any other state in America, including Alaska! but not great in my opinion restaurants, and there are only local stores such as Raley's or Safeway. 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. Compared to the United States average, Benicia ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The state is overcrowded. He called the area Yerba Buena, and it became a popular destination for Americans in the 1840s. Youll notice that there is a different flow to the traffic as well. Otherwise I personally would prefer not to be commuting to SF from Benicia or Martinez because of lack of transit options. Thank you! Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Redding on a regular basis. But if you lived walking distance to downtown you would not see them. 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. 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. Well, maybe Nevada City! Thanks again, really appreciate it . Even if you want a studio apartment, youre going to be paying more than $2,000 per month to live in the city. Mountain living is ideal for people who appreciate peace, quiet, and the chance to inhabit their own little slice of mostly untouched nature. Hear what they say to your face then listen closely what they say behind your back. I take my daughter to a lot of activities in Benicia. Niche is not a lender and does not endorse the products of these advertisers. . People there either take the 80 express bus to SF, or drive to Del Norte BART, park there, and BART into SF from there. There are many additional borrowing options available. An amount below 100 means Benicia is cheaper than the US average. 3. 3. One feature that Martinez has that Benicia does not have is a direct connection on Amtrak from Jack London Square (or West Berkeley). Official Website of the City of Benicia, California. California is not the place you want to come to without knowing anybody. Here we have the 13 pros that we and the people in the video think are the best traits of living in Colombia. We were looking for a family friendly community with good schools in the area and we stumbled upon Benicia. It is small, everyone knows everyone, which has pluses and minuses, but it also provides a hometown feel that many places in California do not. At present, California is the worst state in the country for fire dangers. Youll have a plethora of Micheline-Star restaurants and phenomenal cheap eats to choose from. You can embrace your creativity when living in San Francisco. One of the reasons why people are consistently attracted to the idea of living in San Francisco is because of its emphasis on diversity. Not too cold either. Yes, Florida is much cheaper than California because the cost of living is just 1% higher than the national average. The Economic Life Puerto Rico is more about social life than economics. Taxes too high. Or is there a bus? Hands down, one of my favorite things about living in California is the diversity of the people. Fairfield is probably 20 minutes away and Vacaville is about 30 minutes away. A waterfront City of 28,000, Benicia is known for its small-town charm, history, and high quality of life. 8. You can also catch the NBA, NHL, and MLS when living in the city. Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. Strong and Growing Arts and Culture There is plenty of culture, art, and science to explore in San Diego, especially at Balboa Park. Fuel is also expensive, averaging $4.20 per gallon in May 2019, making it the most expensive place to fill up in the country. Can you tell us about the schools? As another poster mentioned, with either Benicia or Martinez you would have to drive to Pleasant Hill Bart. Thats when the name of the city changed for the full-time population of about 800 people. The housing market in San Francisco is pricing everyone out. All three of the major cities in California clock in as some of the most expensive cities in the entire country. I did a year-long stint in New York City and the harsh winter made leaving an easy choice. I had that experience originally being from wine country area. Hi there Thanks a lot for that, it was very informative and helpful. I hope you found this post helpful. Both times we were military and received housing allowance. Home appreciation rates are a good way to generate tax-free equity on a long term basis. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In fact, most of my friends and neighbors in LA were part-time actors who spent most of their free time looking for gigs. Weather In Colombia. I suggest that you try looking at Davis. And these are just prices for flights! We actaully have a daughter who goes to a school in North Berkeley so I drive down everyday. They both have advantages of amazing views from many neighborhoods. The cost of living in San Francisco is equally high. In Benicia there are a lot of parks. That places it just one spot behind Los Angeles and one spot ahead of Switzerland yes, the country. 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. Not as familiar with the central county high schools. The cost of housing is "cheaper " compared to some bay area locations. If youre planning on moving to California, heres a quick recap of the pros and cons of living in California. Pinole is OK. Private 2 bedroom villa with pool - 10,000,000 - 15,000,000 IDR. 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). This may be the most honest review of anything (period) Ive ever read on the internet. 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 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. Unless you live in a high-elevation area, youll seldom see snow and can count on sunshine even in the dead of winter. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. I live in Benicia. And almost anywhere in the city, you can see the water. You have access to cabs, bicycles, scooters, buses, trollies, and light rail so that you can access almost any part of the city. Santa Rosa is at least an hour's drive from Vallejo. 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. There are plenty of opportunities for you to create a startup in this environment as well. P.S. 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. One more thing, I thought of living there in a roommates apartment. However, there can be some health disadvantages. See, I can't say enough good things about it. 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. The schools are well-rated. In Redding, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 18.8% lower than the California average. (Yikes!!) Although its gotten more expensive (like everywhere else) this last year, its still affordable compared to other nice parts of the Bay Area. Enter California, a state that averages 260+ days of sunshine per year. You will find two active Major League Baseball teams in the Bay Area for you to catch a game. 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). BART to downtown Oakland. Both cities are relatively well-run, as these things go; I'd give Pinole the administrative edge. Which city would you recommend social wise? Thanks. Moving to California means leaving behind bitter winters and freezing temperatures, which greatly improves my quality of life. Savannah Savannah is one of the most popular cities in Georgia. Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and expert insights. Needless to say, the houses cost a lot less in Roseville! Selecting a category below will take you to another page. Today Id like to share my list of the honest pros and cons of living in California. Any time you add a bridge to the equation, it gets dicey, so in general I'd say Martinez is better than Benicia strictly from the commute perspective. We just moved there from Oakland in February and absolutely love it! SCHOOLS Benicia public schools spend $8,132 per student. The town is very laid back, so the police officers seem to jump on any violation where they can. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Redding: Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Sacramento River Trail. All the advantages of Benicia at Vallejo housing prices. The Inland Empire has an economy larger than the entire state of Kansas or the country of Hungary. Every neighborhood has a couple of dog parks that offer an expansive area for leash-free running. Property values. Even if you want a studio apartment, you're going to be paying more than $2,000 per month to live in the city. Fitness is a priority in San Francisco. People in urban environments are more likely to suffer from anxiety and mood disorders than people in other locations. For comparison purposes, the average price in the United States for the same space is about $1,175 per month. We just made new friends sitting on the sidewalk, sipping an adult beverage with our dogs at our feet. Though it is a suburb of Vallejo, it is significantly different. About Benicia. Our main worries are the refinery, convicts and sound from the Amtrak/freight trains. As a budget traveler and travel blogger, this is definitely the number one plus for living in Europe. Can you share your insights? Benicia, CA is a seaside town that people think of when they think "getaway vacation". This could be due to factors like a faster pace of life . Benicia is a small town on the carquinez strait bordering Vallejo. People are very interested in each other and generally extremely friendly. The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay. 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. Neither town is great for commuting to Oakland. Cost of Living in Benicia, California Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. Benicia has a refinery and on occasion you can smell it. It's only fitting to consider the pros and cons of this popular decision-making tool: The Pros Rigor. 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. A Travel Website About Portland and Oregon. If youre used to a temperate coastal climate, then the weather in San Francisco may not seem like much of a disadvantage. 2 : good points and bad points Each technology has its pros and cons. It also is the place of events, like town parades that seem to come straight out of the movies! I agree with some of your assessments. This is a city that is often said to be a "love it or hate it" type . Select any title to view the full question and replies. Sorry Cali. It only takes one missed stop to figure that issue out. However, a high crime rate, high cost for shelter, and lagging economy might be a problem. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. There is a significant issue with homeless and drug addiction in the city. Benicia City Hall, 250 East L Street Benicia, CA 94510 Phone: (707) 746-4200 I couldnt agree more! 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-). Pinole Valley is safe, family-friendly, and diverse. 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. That being said, Benicia has O.K. I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. 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. 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. 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. So Im thinking of relocating to California, myself. But which state is best to stay for a loner like me who has zero support from any angle. As you look at each state you will see some common themes. Get some big dogs and move to Benicia! 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 You are a short drive from some of the best places in California. Some of the top places you can visit by hopping into your car include Napa and Sonoma, Yosemite, Muir Woods, Lassen National Park, Reno and Tahoe, or Apple Hill. I grew up in Sacramento actaully Elk Grove before all those houses were built. Even having a sourdough bread bowl filled with chowder while enjoying a view of Alcatraz makes for a memorable day. If we take a look at the data, we can find out why. Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living. Our oldest grandson (who is 20 years old) graduated from Benicia High School and is doing extremely well in college. From the amazing landscapes to the diversity, to the warmth of the people and the low cost of living. People from Martinez drive, at least as far as my acquaintance goes. Im glad Im not the only one feeling this. San Diego alone is home to more than 7,000 restaurants, and the Hispanic cuisine is considered the best in the country thanks to the citys close proximity to Mexico. Benicians consider that Martinez is somewhat similar in a lot of ways to Benicia (although my understanding is that their refinery has much less capacity); Concord obviously is a much larger town (really a small city) and harder to generalize, but don't underestimate the value of proximity to BART. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. Benicia is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. 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. 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. 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. I would also love any information you can give about that in relation to California. Colombia is a beautiful country and has much to offer. 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. 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. Living In. The downtown area is pretty flat, so it is perfect for strolling around or bicycling. Several apartment complexes and condos offer these areas as well. With a livability score of 62/100, Redding is ranked #21,245 in the United States and #856 in California. Benicia has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #160 in California and #4,047 in the USA. Housing prices everywhere are just off the charts! Feel free to email me! The cost of living in California is 49.9% above the national average, which means you have to earn significantly higher here. Some people have found that it is cheaper for them to fly into the city, stay in a hotel for their five days of work, and then fly home for the weekend its that crazy. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Long days, regardless of mode of travel. Let me know if you have any questions or comments below, its always a pleasure to hear from you! It was a film for San Francisco City Sights where I discussed the pros and cons of that Organization. An increase in your homes value can be a good way to generate tax-free equity that can create long term financial security. Your not my dream state. Youve really saved me Was planning on moving to California to work and study without help from no one But from tonehe look of things I think I wont be able to. 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. 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 a nice little downtown area, and a lot of activities sponsored by the park and recreation (you can check out their brochure on-line). A con. The Capitol Corridor trains run several times each day, although the latest one to Oakland leaves Martinez at about 10:30 p.m. Benicia is a very sleepy town with a little bid of Santa Cruz feel to it. While this is still lower than California's cost of living, it's high enough to be expensive for most people. Half Moon Bay is only thirty minutes to the east of the city. It has wonderful parks, a great community, very good public schools and the town itself is just a gem. Thanks. The North Bay is really a great place to live. To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below. While there is a progressive faction in town, there is also a strong uh less progressive group. Ive lived in Sacramento twice- fun times, but you never have much money to spare. 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. We have a Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Peet's etc. Canada is Beautiful Let's face it - Canada is one of the most Instagrammable (read, stunningly beautiful) places in the world. This time however we will be moving due to a civilian job to Ventura. Access to the beach It can be a challenge to get used to the weather in San Francisco. When you move to California, one thing will become clear very quickly California is proof that climate change is real. If helpful, below is a chart that show the effective California state income tax depending on your income bracket. Have you considered Benicia? If you want to rent in San Francisco, then you can expect to pay a lot for that option too. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Hard to complain about that! Select any tags that apply to this area. All Rights Reserved. With the new Benicia Bridge that opened late last year the commute to Contra Costa County is a breeze. Solano County overall is less liberal than the rest of the Bay Area. Low crime. I need to move out of here. Then you have the 7.25% state sales tax, which becomes 8.5% in San Francisco. 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. 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. Here are 5 benefits of living in California. There is a wonderful library and community pool and lots more. 4. I know that not everyone will agree with this sentiment, but I find the people in California to be kind. Don't drive 29 miles/hr in a 25 mile zone, 'cause the cops will ticket you immediately. Ideal places in Sonoma County to move with a toddler, Looking to relocate/Schools & Commute in Hercules, Concord, Martinez. But if you choose to live in a city further inland, you can expect blazing hot summers. Human trafficking is ramped. I am sure things have changes since I left permanently in 1996 but Sacramento has so many suburbs so there maybe a neighborhood that is similar to Berkeley? 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. 5. So youre moving to California with the intention of buying a home? 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. ), and of course the accommodation itself. 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. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. Also, yoga culture is huge in San Diego. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. 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. Benicia offers an abundance of leisure and recreational activities. 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. The downtown main street is popular with visitors and residents walking their dogs. Its also home to some of the worst performing schools in the country. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. With prices like this, theres no denying that living in California isnt even in the same timezone as affordable. There is no doubt that living in San Francisco is expense. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you.