any benicia residents here?

[Note2baby]

christeen.... I moved to Benicia 9 years ago, from a close by town who has refineries. I have never smelled them here. The winds dont blow bad here and if you arent high up on the hill its great. Temperature wise Benicia is much milder than Davis would be.
Shopping is good. Its a quick trip to SunValley Mall or up to Fairfield Mall.
I like the feeling of the size of this town. It's a just right place to live.
My friend just moved here and put her kids into this school system and is very pleased with the teachers and activities that they offer.

[drarcher]

I recently moved to Benicia from Maui (you cannot get more diverse than a place that has no majority) and while there is a large caucasian population here there is still plenty of diversity amongst the younger crowds. I think if you took out all the retirees the diversity goes up. We love it in Benicia and have not had any problems with the refineries. My wife is an EHS Engineer (Environmental, Health and Safety) and is friends with many of the people in the same field at the refineries and she says the whole fear of the refineries is built on misinformation. There are more issues with water contamination from grape crops in Napa than any air issues involving the refineries (bigger concerns should be air issues around large freeways where there is not much wind).

I have 3 kids and love the Benicia schools they scored higher than any other school district in Solano/Napa county and are only behind the Lamorina area in the Bay area. The teachers have been wonderful and the Superintendent was phenomenal helping us when we moved into the district late in the summer last year.

We lived in Fairfield (Cordelia) about 5 years ago and while the schools were decent there was little parent involvement. I remember going to an open house for one of my kids and being the one of only two parents who showed up. The community in Benicia is the complete opposite and you have to take turns helping out because it seems like they always get to many parents wanting to get involved.

For shopping I do go to Vallejo sometimes but I have found really enjoy crossing the bridge and going into the Concord/Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek area to shop and go to movies.

I hope that helps a little.

[ChiTownToCali]

Originally Posted by LateNightLarry

The refinery is built on part of the old arsenal grounds. many of the old Army buildings are still there and converted to others uses, and many new office/industrial buildings have been built there. Benicia is also across the Carquinez Straits from several other refineries, and the wind blows towards Benicia, particularly the eastern portion.

There is an old dump which was covered over with many feet of dirt, BUT, very bigh BUT, there have been many health problems in the area. The main street in the neighborhood is Rose Drive and the streets coming off of Rose Drive. The Southhampton area is not part of the problem area. Benicia is fairly expensive, and has become yuppified. My wife's aunt lives in the old part of Benicia (West J Street) and her very small two bedroom house would probably sell for about $800K; that's what similar houses around here have sold for in the past couple of years.

LateNightLarry

You seem well versed on the area and can hopefully help with some questions... My fiance and I are moving to a home up the hill from ACE Hardware off of Chelsea Hills Drive and Southampton Road. Our home overlooks the Strait. I am concerned about the refineries, unhealthy air and so on. You had mentioned health problems in the area..can you specify? Aside from the obvious it seemed like the perfect mix of everything we need and small town feel. Thanks! -N

[drarcher]

Originally Posted by ChiTownToCali

You seem well versed on the area and can hopefully help with some questions... My fiance and I are moving to a home up the hill from ACE Hardware off of Chelsea Hills Drive and Southampton Road. Our home overlooks the Strait. I am concerned about the refineries, unhealthy air and so on. You had mentioned health problems in the area..can you specify? Aside from the obvious it seemed like the perfect mix of everything we need and small town feel. Thanks! -N

You live near me. You are on the opposite side of town of the refineries and they are downwind from you. Even if there was a problem with them you would be fine.