The year over year appreciation rates in Redding were 4.4%, and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 6.4%. Yeah Im somewhere in a similar predicament. Im looking for input on areas that have nice high schools(safe). For comparison purposes, the average price in the United States for the same space is about $1,175 per month. 3. In fact, California usually ranks as the worst 10-states for public education. 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 It continues to be one of the worst and deadliest earthquakes in U.S. history. When you look at the city, San Francisco and the Bay Area has the 19th-largest domestic economy in the world. The United States would annex California in 1846, with the USS Portsmouth sailing into San Francisco Bay to raise the American flag. The road tripping opportunities are endless, you can spend days at the beach or peruse a plethora of museums or attend world-class events. 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. Dylyn, Berkeley Parents Network, founded in 1993,isbased in Berkeley, California andis a 501(c)(3) nonprofit online network for parents in the San Francisco Bay Area. 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. The town gets two big thumbs up from me!!! No longer do you need to be stuck in long-term lease agreements. You have people working in Silicon Valley making six figures, but living out of their vehicle because they cant find a place they can afford. Despite devastating fires and earthquakes in its early history, the people rebuilt the city to make it the wonderful place it is today. we love it here! Since Im being honest, Id like to point out that wildfires will become a part of your daily vocabulary while living in California. 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. California is not the place you want to come to without knowing anybody. Yet another thing to be mindful of while living in California are the constant droughts. Los Angeles is considered one of the best food cities in America. Living in Redding, CA Redding, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 91,320 inhabitants. We're moving to the north bay area in couple of months. P.S. That being said, Benicia has O.K. 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. And if you're looking to be as remote as possible, there are plenty of opportunities to live in the mountains without any neighbors in eyesight. Since most everyone moving to California arrives with a car, you can expect nightmarish traffic to become part of your daily life in California. Our (only) son went off to OSU (Oregon)3 years ago. 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. Very valuable information. You are a short drive from some of the best places in California. Suburbs with the Best Public Schools in California, Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in California, Places with the Best Public Schools in California. 1. 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 Can you give me some advice? Our oldest grandson (who is 20 years old) graduated from Benicia High School and is doing extremely well in college. We also have friends in Roseville who absolutely love its family-friendliness and easy light rail commute into downtown Sac. There are two NFL teams in the region as well. Select any tags that apply to this area. Kathy, Re: considering a move to Sacramento Cons of living in Nevada 1. In some areas the traffic isnt bad especially if you dont live in a big city. The City of Benicia is a Bay Area City located adjacent to the Carquinez Strait, which is part of San Francisco Bay. The economy in San Francisco keeps humming along. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions. Pros of Living in Australia One of the many benefits of living in Australia is its healthcare. Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. it seems that everyone who lives here knows how special this place is and wants to take care of it. Here we have the 13 pros that we and the people in the video think are the best traits of living in Colombia. I love the East Bay especially Berkeley. It's only fitting to consider the pros and cons of this popular decision-making tool: The Pros Rigor. Benicia ca - The Pros and Cons of Benicia California, Moving to Benicia ca. It is a wonderful small town.Good schools. However, it can be a little too hot for some. So if you plan on raising a family while living in California, account for the cost of private school as well because the public schools leave much to be desired. It might be worthwhile to consider commuting if you can manage the traffic situation in the city. Does anyone have any negative or positive experiences with the above, especially the refinery. The Inland Empire has an economy larger than the entire state of Kansas or the country of Hungary. Gas is also usually $1-$2 more a gallon than most other states. We lived there for 10 years and I actually miss it tremendously. 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 housing market in San Francisco is pricing everyone out. My biggest concern is the social aspect. 7. Rent too high. Thats when the name of the city changed for the full-time population of about 800 people. When making a big move. Overall, Valero is the economic engine of town - largest employer, taxpayer, etc. Fourth of July is one such day. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. You can get to the Fairfield store from Benicia without getting on busy highways. There might be a neighborhood for everyone to find in San Francisco, but where you choose to live is going to become the definition of who you are. 9. Although its gotten more expensive (like everywhere else) this last year, its still affordable compared to other nice parts of the Bay Area. There is always the threat of an earthquake to consider in the city. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. Benicia has a violent crime rate of 99 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average. Redding has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. Yes, Florida is much cheaper than California because the cost of living is just 1% higher than the national average. Even having a sourdough bread bowl filled with chowder while enjoying a view of Alcatraz makes for a memorable day. Property values. We are looking for any feedback, both positive and/or negative, in regards to the community, schools, neighborhoods, and refinery. While this is still lower than California's cost of living, it's high enough to be expensive for most people. The economy across the entire Bay Area is on fire right now. Its also home to some of the worst performing schools in the country. Several businesses allow them as well, even if they are not a service animal. My hubby will be working in vallejo. That means youll want to bring a jacket and an umbrella whenever you head out. Thanks to its temperate climate, it is also one of the best walking communities in the United States. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Redding ranks well for amenities (A+) and weather (B). There's even a bounce house for the kids! Also fairly close to a Macys without having to get on any major highways. Regardless, I hope you find it helpful. Unlike wills, trusts require that you give up direct ownership of that property. You will always find people out with their pets during the day, enjoying the sunny weather in the city when it arrives. We have a Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Peet's etc. 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. California is a beautiful state California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and it's not hard to see why. San Diego: The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment clocks in at a steep $2,400 and the median home price is currently $765,000 (and rising annually). 7. Im 25 now and I guess I can say that its not the easiest for me to make new connections. 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. Most restaurants tailor their menus to healthy eating instead of huge portions of high-carb foods. The best ride of all is the ferry from Mare Island Channel but it only goes to Alameda and by way of SF. The landscape is as diverse as it gets and changes drastically from north to south. Heres the stats on traffic for the three most populous cities in California: Los Angeles horrendous traffic is known the world over and the proof is in the pudding. And it's one of the most underrated, which means it's not as full of tourists as other places, like Montreal and Vancouver. Traffic and homeless is not something to fun to see they are in need of help but no one can. 3. Quality schools. Hi there Thanks a lot for that, it was very informative and helpful. 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. 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. The majority of Redding residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. Pinole has easy access to the rest of the Bay Area but much more limited bay access. - The Weather Northern California is home to a lot of wonderful weather. Again, some people are bothered by this and some are not. 2. We lived in Benicia for 10 yrs and we made the big mistake of moving away from it. I mean, its no coincidence that California has more national parks than any other state and draws millions of visitors annually. 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. I recently moved from Berkeley to Benicia because, like you, we needed more space and couldn't afford more space in Berkeley. Housing prices everywhere are just off the charts! Benicia has lots of open space, a state park on the water, and plenty of places to hike. Happy in Benicia, We are considering a move to Benicia with our two small children. Continue with Recommended Cookies. When you do need to travel somewhere, using an Uber or Lyft is still affordable. Most points in downtown Martinez are (for those without mobility limitations) within walking distance of the Amtrak station. . You can relax at Baker Beach with your family and friends, enjoy one of the eccentric dive bars along the coast, or take a tour of the Museum of Modern Art. Wefeel close to everything but also far away, if that makes any sense. It was a film for San Francisco City Sights where I discussed the pros and cons of that Organization. The public schools in Benicia are highly rated. 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. Kelly, Hmm, well, I worked in Benicia for many years and was never seriously tempted to live there. 8. The cost of living in Nevada is also lower than in many other states. Benicia is no more than 10 minutes from Vallejo. is it still impossible to buy a house ? From the amazing landscapes to the diversity, to the warmth of the people and the low cost of living. Half Moon Bay is only thirty minutes to the east of the city. There is plenty of fog that rolls through the city as well. Ill be the first to admit I dont know what the right solution for homelessness is, but I want to be transparent about it for anyone considering moving to California because you will notice it on a daily basis. The cost of living in California is 49.9% above the national average, which means you have to earn significantly higher here. Actually sales tax was less there than the state Im in now (Louisiana)- so was car insurance. If I need Berkeley or SF fix, we just drive down and can be on the Bay Bridge in 20mins with no traffic. Neighborhood define you in San Francisco. Friendly people. Feel free to email me! Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. I never felt the need to join a mom's club, or something, 'cause I met so many people just by walking downtown, going to the parks or doing my groceries. 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. A reasonable cost of living, good schools, family-friendly activities, and decent weather are the major draws to the city. The 1906 earthquake that devastated San Francisco was estimated to be 7.9 8.25 with extreme shaking. 3. When you can make ends meet, you will find that this city is one of the most magical places to be on the planet. Hear what they say to your face then listen closely what they say behind your back. Admittedly, most of California has a Mediterranean climate with pleasant humid-free summers, especially cities that line the coast. 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 are trying to get somewhere during rush hour, then you need to avoid all of the highways at all costs. Some places in Florida have been ranked 8% lower to 18% higher in cost compared to the average American city. 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 Our kids are 15, 13, 11 and 8, so high school, middle and elementary. Housing prices are comical (well, they would be if they werent reality). California is often considered the most beautiful state in the country and its not hard to see why. 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). We are also less than 20mins away from Napa. But moving here is a bad idea. 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.