Yeah Im somewhere in a similar predicament. When you move to California, one thing will become clear very quickly California is proof that climate change is real. Gas is also usually $1-$2 more a gallon than most other states. Select a livability score between 1-100, 2. We absolutely love this community!! When youre used to the hotter, dryer climates in the southern part of the state, then living in this city can feel downright chilly. But moving here is a bad idea. 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. Expensive energy costs; the cost of gasoline and electricity is very high in California compared to other states. I did a year-long stint in New York City and the harsh winter made leaving an easy choice. This time however we will be moving due to a civilian job to Ventura. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. And even in mid-winter, the temperature during the day averages 16C / 61F. Pinole is not too far from the Rodeo refinery although I don't recall ever smelling it. Select any title to view the full question and replies. You can find plenty of small shops, museums, and points of interest that will captivate your attention. Just an FYI that Amtrak runs from Martinez to Jack London Sq in Oakland - so that might be another option. #3. Hear what they say to your face then listen closely what they say behind your back. 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. 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. I have friends in Benicia who say the schools are good, but I have not checked that out as a fact. Have you ever consider Benicia? You have access to cabs, bicycles, scooters, buses, trollies, and light rail so that you can access almost any part of the city. In the past year, appreciation rates for homes in the Benicia area were 5.8% and 5 year appreciation rates were 10.7%. 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. 9. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Fantastic schools, a good community, and much more affordable than the Bay Area. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. We are very excited. And 5 reasons not to live in California. Benicia is looking like where we might land. If so, youll be joining many other Californians in the most populous state in the country. We actaully have a daughter who goes to a school in North Berkeley so I drive down everyday. Most points in downtown Martinez are (for those without mobility limitations) within walking distance of the Amtrak station. If you want to save some cash by ditching the vehicle, then San Francisco has you covered with its public transportation system. This goes hand-in-hand with the relaxed vibe. Overall, most people seem to be okay with living in Chico. 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! Knowing if your home will appreciate on a long term or even a short term basis should be factored into your decision making. Hi there. The downtown is indeed walkable and quite charming, and right by the water. It is 45 minutes from San Francisco, three hours from Lake Tahoe, an hour from Napa, and 15 minutes from Concord, that has a vibrant night life. Regardless of where in California you live, youre never further than a days drive from an epic national park and some of the best hiking trails in the country. The pros and cons of living in San Francisco will always look at the cost first. There is very little police protection. She treated us super well and drove us around to give us a feel of the entire town. 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 want to rent in San Francisco, then you can expect to pay a lot for that option too. If you choose the back part of Pinole Valley, you get to send your daughter to Ellerhorst, which is a very good school. Davis makes the most sense. Every neighborhood has a couple of dog parks that offer an expansive area for leash-free running. If you're not into surfing, no worries, there's plenty of other activities to choose from, like biking, hiking, fishing, snorkeling and much more. However, it can be a little too hot for some. San Diego: On average, vehicle trips take 60% longer during rush hour in San Diego. Though it is a suburb of Vallejo, it is significantly different. Selecting a category below will take you to another page. Several apartment complexes and condos offer these areas as well. I couldnt agree more! In fact, most of my friends and neighbors in LA were part-time actors who spent most of their free time looking for gigs. I know that not everyone will agree with this sentiment, but I find the people in California to be kind. Cost of Living in Benicia, California - Best Places At this point, anyone living in California knows that wildfires are inevitable during the summer and we actually plan around them. I work for Macys and am scared to death to drive out there (foolish I Know) . While this is still lower than California's cost of living, it's high enough to be expensive for most people. We also have friends in Roseville who absolutely love its family-friendliness and easy light rail commute into downtown Sac. Its hard to enjoy everything the state has to offer if you arent bringing in a considerable annual income. The economy in San Francisco keeps humming along. Not others. Sales tax is the highest in the nation. thank you Hmm. We are looking for any feedback, both positive and/or negative, in regards to the community, schools, neighborhoods, and refinery. 20 Pros and Cons of Living in Halifax, Canada Pro: It's One of the Most Beautiful Places Nova Scotia is one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada. 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 Your not my dream state. 5. But it could be different on some days; I'm not sure. It might be a city of transplants, but no one really cares about that here. The best areas in Benicia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. ), and of course the accommodation itself. When weighing the pros and cons of living in Dallas, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. The pros of living in Davis include its tight-knit community, its proximity to several major California cities, and its commitment to education. I worked in Benicia for 5 years (commuting from Berkeley), and spent time in Vallejo for work purposes during that job. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Redding ranks well for amenities (A+) and weather (B). 9. Youll notice that there is a different flow to the traffic as well. I travel often for work, so access to airports is a strong consideration when moving to a new city. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. In fact, Los Angeles is the second most diverse cities in the country, second only to New York City. Not too cold either. Find a loan that's right for you. Ive never done anything like this before. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Never noticed till gone for awhile, but a lot of the kindness and friendliness is a phoney act. At the beginning of 2021, the median home price was around $382,000. 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. Home appreciation the last 10 years has been 6.1%. It's only fitting to consider the pros and cons of this popular decision-making tool: The Pros Rigor. Since Im being honest, Id like to point out that wildfires will become a part of your daily vocabulary while living in California. That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. Sorry Cali. The Pros and Cons of Living Trusts - AARP Any information would be greatly appreciated! 10. The median household income in California is among the best in the nation at $77,000 (as of June 2019). This will be a big change for us. Benicia is right on the water, so there are many small beaches to stroll along, and there is a long pier that is a popular place to walk down. I like your negative points. Prices differ largely based on where in town accommodation is located, if all the bills are included (wifi, electricity, water, etc. I find, though, that it is a great place for us empty nesters, too. You will need to deal with the tax situation when living in San Francisco. Quality schools. Lucky for me, California is home to 12 international airports (including LAX, the second largest airport in America). However, it is a great middle ground for a road trip. The Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States. Property values. You will find two active Major League Baseball teams in the Bay Area for you to catch a game. 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. 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. Sign up for a yoga class on the beach and see what all the hype is about. About Benicia. I will likely take BART. Then, if your bus is going through Chinatown, expect a lengthy delay. Too many people; California being one of the most populated cities makes people scramble for the limited space in the area. We live next to Benicia, but technically are zip coded as Vallejo. Benicia is no more than 10 minutes from Vallejo. Our kids are 15, 13, 11 and 8, so high school, middle and elementary. An amount below 100 means Benicia is cheaper than the US average. We lived there for 10 years and I actually miss it tremendously. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. Thats when the name of the city changed for the full-time population of about 800 people. Weather In Colombia. - The Weather Northern California is home to a lot of wonderful weather.