The town is very laid back, so the police officers seem to jump on any violation where they can. Everything from fashion to film and tech is covered pretty well in California, so you honestly wont have much a reason to be bored. Friendly people. 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). She treated us super well and drove us around to give us a feel of the entire town. With the new Benicia Bridge that opened late last year the commute to Contra Costa County is a breeze. 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. Pros and cons Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster BART to downtown Oakland. 7. Are you thinking about moving to California? 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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. Also occasionally you can smell the refinery - some people are bothered by this, some are not. There is no doubt that living in San Francisco is expense. Perhaps the most notable benefit could be the appreciation of your new home. Benicia, CA is a seaside town that people think of when they think "getaway vacation". Non-Latino Caucasians represent 37.2% of the population. Unless you live in a high-elevation area, youll seldom see snow and can count on sunshine even in the dead of winter. Get some big dogs and move to Benicia! The traffic in San Francisco is legendarily terrible. The Pros and Cons of Living in the Mountains - Moving.com 2. Suburbs with the Best Public Schools in California, Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in California, Places with the Best Public Schools in California. I had that experience originally being from wine country area. Are people dying by the hands of the government in California or did I miss something? The housing market in San Francisco is pricing everyone out. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Redding ranks well for amenities (A+) and weather (B). 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. Purchasing your new home can come with many financial benefits, some of which are more lucrative than others. It is very safe and family oriented. 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. My biggest concern is the social aspect. Pinole is not too far from the Rodeo refinery although I don't recall ever smelling it. I worked in Benicia for 5 years (commuting from Berkeley), and spent time in Vallejo for work purposes during that job. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! 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. The economy in San Francisco keeps humming along. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. The Davis Farmers' Market has been named the best in the country, and for good reason. The refineries are all ''down wind'' and don't really have any impact on your quality of life. Taxes too high. Some costumes in the city are elaborate. It also is the place of events, like town parades that seem to come straight out of the movies! 4. You dont even need to make a drive to a national park if youre not feeling up to it because youll still be privy to incredible nature that surrounds most cities in California, this is a nature enthusiasts dream. This makes me sad as a returning native of 6 years. Apparently, there hasn't been a day below freezing since 1985. I love the East Bay especially Berkeley. 3. The cost of living in South Korea varies depending on the city one lives in. Select any tags that apply to this area. It's only fitting to consider the pros and cons of this popular decision-making tool: The Pros Rigor. If you do, we have the highest gas prices in the nation, along with the high insurance costs that are required by law (as it should be) or you cant register your vehicle. Whether youre moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Benicia could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. If people are looking for a place to go that has a lot to do, Benicia is not the place to go. I have worked for both cities but not lived in either. I can highly recommend Pinole. I want to live where the boys can have a little freedom with stuff to do but not in a big city. The pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. These are the pros and cons of living in San Francisco today that are worth considering. 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. 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. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. Rental rates. The perks of living in San Francisco are almost endless. San Francisco is renowned for its cultural diversity. Your property taxes are going to be higher if you own too since the property values are skyrocketing in the city. Despite devastating fires and earthquakes in its early history, the people rebuilt the city to make it the wonderful place it is today. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. Have you ever consider Benicia??? You will need to deal with the tax situation when living in San Francisco. 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. An increase in your homes value can be a good way to generate tax-free equity that can create long term financial security. I know that not everyone will agree with this sentiment, but I find the people in California to be kind. If so, youll be joining many other Californians in the most populous state in the country. If youre in the film industry you probably already know that Los Angeles is the place to be. Mountain living is ideal for people who appreciate peace, quiet, and the chance to inhabit their own little slice of mostly untouched nature. With prices like this, theres no denying that living in California isnt even in the same timezone as affordable. 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. Benicia's schools are arguably better. 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. #5. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. 20 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in California - EMBRACE SOMEPLACE Moving back and priced out of Alameda - West CC or Solano County? Living In Redding, CA - AreaVibes The whole bus will start yelling at you too, so maybe dont be the first one out until you get used to the situation. Several businesses allow them as well, even if they are not a service animal. I dont know who can afford homes anymore. Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Redding on a regular basis. 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. Thanks. 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. We actaully have a daughter who goes to a school in North Berkeley so I drive down everyday. 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. Benicia is looking like where we might land. Thank you! You can find plenty of small shops, museums, and points of interest that will captivate your attention. Neither town is great for commuting to Oakland. I would strongly recommend Benicia if you guys were looking for a traditional affluent suburban experience with traditional schools, but it doesn't sound like that is what you want. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. Quality schools. 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. Looking for a light filled home close to hiking/walking trails. We also have friends in Roseville who absolutely love its family-friendliness and easy light rail commute into downtown Sac. Parking is a significant problem as well. 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. 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-). ben suarez bread / joseph wiley kim burrell / pragmatic theory of truth pros and cons. Very valuable information. One of the reasons why people are consistently attracted to the idea of living in San Francisco is because of its emphasis on diversity. Whether you head down to enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge, go across to see the redwoods, stay on the piers, or enjoy the unique culture, some people find that they can fill up their free time without ever going somewhere. It tends to be in the 50s in December, around the 80s in the summer, and youre going to get plenty of rain thanks to its position near the water. 80 bus from VTC to Del Norte BART. And seeing as Canadians are enjoying increased income, they'll have more to spend at your new business - easily making this one of the best pros and cons of living in Canada. If you choose the back part of Pinole Valley, you get to send your daughter to Ellerhorst, which is a very good school. Pros and Cons of Moving to South Korea | Expat Arrivals Is California A Good Place to Live? Pros and Cons of Living in 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. beautiful parks and the social activities in town are always wonderful. Prices differ largely based on where in town accommodation is located, if all the bills are included (wifi, electricity, water, etc. Los Angeles and San Francisco are international hubs with awesome dining options, but many of the smaller cities have restaurants worth writing home about too. I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. I would love feedback. Living in Puerto Rico - Pros Cons and Cost of Living - WTS A couple of them are atypical learners/creative types. Living in Australia: What You Need to Know Before You Move - InterNations The downtown is indeed walkable and quite charming, and right by the water. Benicia is a small, family-friendly town and we have lots of fun downtown activities for families and teens. I'm wondering if being in Martinez would actually save that much time compared with Benicia. Compared to the United States average, Benicia ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Benicia ca - The Pros and Cons of Benicia California, Moving to Benicia ca. The weather is tolerable year-round and allows you to enjoy the great outdoors or regardless of the season save for summer, but well cover that shortly. Our oldest grandson (who is 20 years old) graduated from Benicia High School and is doing extremely well in college. The discrepancy between the haves and the have-nots is painstakingly clear on the streets and practically impossible to avoid while living in California. 25 Pros And Cons Of Living In Georgia (Updated 2023) - Home Mindset Assuming that Redding meets all of your requirements, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Redding. Since Im being honest, Id like to point out that wildfires will become a part of your daily vocabulary while living in California. What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Chico, CA? Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, librairies, etc., Benicia has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. Without any friends or family waiting for me there. happy empty nesters. It seems we can afford Benicia, Martinez and parts of Concord. 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. I agree with some of your assessments. Pros and Cons of Living in Each State - Dividends Diversify California is a beautiful state California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and it's not hard to see why. I hate to burst your bubble, but lets look at the numbers. Youll notice that there is a different flow to the traffic as well. Taxes are high in San Francisco, but this disadvantage applies to the entire state of California. We currently live in LA and are pre-retirement. If we take a look at the data, we can find out why. Benicia is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. 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). 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. Weather In Colombia. I dont see this improving anytime soon so when you move to California youll need to learn how to better conserve water. 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. Also, I am not aware of any arts scene in Pinole, though of course I could be wrong. California would have the fifth-largest economy in the world if the state were an independent nation. 8. 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. Like do people carpool from Benicia to BART? 1. The hipsters tend to stay in the Mission district, and then youll find the blue collar folks down by the Marina. Living in Redding can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the town. Don't drive 29 miles/hr in a 25 mile zone, 'cause the cops will ticket you immediately. 22 Pros and Cons of Living in Canada! - Girl With The Passport And 5 reasons not to live in California. Your not my dream state. European settlers first started coming to San Francisco Bay in the early 19th century, but it wouldnt be until 1828 when Jedediah Smith crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountains that permanent settlements were considered in the area. Thanks for your candor. 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. The BART is a little bit of a hike, but doable. Benicia is a nice little town, and the Carquinez Strait is really lovely. Which city would you recommend social wise? I grew up in Sacramento actaully Elk Grove before all those houses were built. It might also be worth noting that 63% of residents also have children under the age of 18. Everyone gathers at the green field at the end of 1st Street and watches the fire works. Never noticed till gone for awhile, but a lot of the kindness and friendliness is a phoney act. The community often has little events that are great for meeting new people. 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. Select any title to view the full question and replies. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Redding: Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Sacramento River Trail. Traffic inside of the city it difficult to manage at almost any time of day including the overnight hours. But which state is best to stay for a loner like me who has zero support from any angle. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose.