Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill v. Benicia (San Francisco, Sacramento: houses, neighborhoods, movie theaters)

[Scorpion3510]

Hi everyone!


My wife has a potential job in Sacramento. I work in the Civic Center area of SF so we are trying to find a compromise city in between.


We were looking at Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill v. Benicia as potential places. I only have to commute 3 days a week (and can commute off hours plus have a transit subsidy) and she is commuting 3-4 days depending. Either way we will have to pay a toll going over the bridges. We don't have any children (yet) so schools are not a concern at this point. We do have a dog though and would like a dog friendly place. We also make trips to her parents in the Stockton area 1-2x per month.


I CANNOT stand the heat (even Alameda at certain times is too hot for me) so judging by the weather index both places would need A/C. Is that standard for both the areas? We both really like the fog/overcast days which it looks like neither city has.


Looking essentially for whichever of the 2 places is most similar to Alameda (walkable downtown with bars/breweries, restaurants, parks, coffee houses, and movie theaters) that is safe.


Looking for a 2+ bedroom with a small yard for the dog with a budget of up to $3,000 per month.


Any help would be great. Thanks!

[Ruth4Truth]

Have you checked the drive times for both locations, for both commutes, online? Have you checked Craigslist for both locations, to see which is more affordable?

I have friends in Benicia, and they don't need A/C. On weekends, they open windows and the back patio door to let breezes through. I can't handle heat, and their place doesn't get uncomfortable. It's also in a part of town that catches the cool breezes from the Carquinez Straight. Walnut Creek, on the other hand, requires AC in most houses.

Some people say the oil refinery outside of Benicia is an issue. YMMV. There's really something to be said for being in a city on the water. Many things to be said, in fact--all of them good.

[sav858]

Definitely go with Benicia if heat is an issue, ,even then it will still be much warmer than Alameda. Commute into the city will be longer and more difficult though versus a one-seat ride from WC/PH.

[2sleepy]

Benicia is a very nice town, it's a safe relatively affordable area with a great climate. You can check commute times on google maps. Another option would be Martinez.

[Scorpion3510]

Yeah I've checked commute times from either. For my wife, it's about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. For me it's about an 55 minutes (WC/PH) to 72 minutes (Benicia). But only commuting 3 days a week isn't that bad.


COL is definitely less in Benicia (I assuming because of having to cross a toll bridge and no public transportation compared to WC.).


I know Benicia may be "cooler" than WC but A/C is a must for either spot. I start sweating when it gets to 75 outside Would love to live up near Tahoe but that's not a reality at this stage of the game!


Does Benicia having a sailing culture like Alameda? Are there parks/hiking near either? I saw the "Lime Open Space" driving near WC last weekend but it didn't really seem park like with trees.


Thanks!

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by Scorpion3510

Yeah I've checked commute times from either. For my wife, it's about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. For me it's about an 55 minutes (WC/PH) to 72 minutes (Benicia). But only commuting 3 days a week isn't that bad.

COL is definitely less in Benicia (I assuming because of having to cross a toll bridge and no public transportation compared to WC.).

I know Benicia may be "cooler" than WC but A/C is a must for either spot. I start sweating when it gets to 75 outside Would love to live up near Tahoe but that's not a reality at this stage of the game!


Does Benicia having a sailing culture like Alameda? Are there parks/hiking near either? I saw the "Lime Open Space" driving near WC last weekend but it didn't really seem park like with trees.


Thanks!

For open space there is the Benicia State Recreation Area

There is an active Yacht Club Benicia Yacht ClubSailboat Racing - Benicia Yacht Club

And a pretty cool marina http://www.beniciamarina.net/

I know a lot of people who live in Benicia and I've never heard one of them express regret about living there

And even if you don't consider living in Martinez, the Martinez Regional shoreline is a quick ride from Benicia
Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline

[PixelatedTherapy]

You could try Vallejo. There's a ferry that goes directly to San Francisco and it's only an hour drive to Sacramento. The housing in the area is cheap because the city has a bad reputation, but other than a few neighborhoods like The Crest (the area directly above Six Flag) and South Vallejo (the area directly south of Curtola Parkway) it's not too bad.

[PixelatedTherapy]

https://www.trulia.com/property/1084...llejo-CA-94590

Charming Victorians for cheap.

[Western Urbanite]

I recommend Walnut Creek (nicest location, with direct BART train service to San Francisco) or Martinez (nice location, with direct Capitol Corridor train service to Sacramento--your wife won't need to drive across the bridge). I recommend living near one of the train stations or the other, to minimize driving, and to have access to all the amenities.

[Ruth4Truth]

SF commuters living in Benicia go to Concord and take BART from there. There may even be commuter bus service between Benicia and Concord BART, I'm not sure.