Can anyone tell me about these three California cities? (San Francisco: condominium, new home) - (CA) - City-Data Forum

Kaligirl · 10-10-2006, 01:47 AM

Hi there
Can anyone tell me about the following three California cities?
1. Benicia, California
2. Redding, California
3. Roseville, California

I would like to know in your opinion, what it's like to live there. From all aspects the weather, schools, people, stuff to do, stuff for kids to do etc? Are there major airports near by? What the housing and cost of living is like....anything else you might like to add?

These cities were included in the "America's top 100 places to live", and I'd like to know why. I am looking to relocate to a more affordable area, I am currantly in North County SD, CA.

Thank you all! Kali

WN737 · 10-10-2006, 06:44 PM

I only know a little about Benicia and Redding but I'm currently living in Roseville.

Benicia: All I know is there are a lot of industrial smoke stacks in the area which tend to take away from some of the nice areas Benicia has to offer. Since it is in the bay area the cost of living is very high, at least in terms of housing.

Redding: Beautiful area just south of Shasta Lake. Very green and surrounded by mountains. There is a decent amount of shopping centers in the city and it is a relatively small city. It's only about 3 or 3 1/2 hours from Sacramento so if you need any big city amenities Redding may not have you are not too far away. The Redding airport has commuter flights to San Francisco, Portland, and I believe Seattle. I believe Redding is the cheapest of these three cities and the housing market isn't as high as other areas in the state.

Roseville: Very suburban with a lot of new homes being built. The schools are great, some of the best in the area. We have a fairly new mall, about 5 years old, which is one of the best shopping areas in the Sacramento area. But other than that it is your typical suburban neighborhood. There is also a lot of smog/air pollution in the area. It can get very hot in the summer but the winters aren't too bad. I personally don't much care for Roseville as I'm getting sick of the suburban life style. The Sacramento Airport is about 30 minutes away and has flights to most California cities and many destinations nationwide. The housing prices are ridiculesly high for the area. The new homes out here are going for $400,000 to $600,000. Personally I don't think its worth it, Roseville is a nice area but I don't understand why everyone keeps spending so much to live here.

All in all each city has great things to offer and at the same time has some negatives. If I were to live in one of the three cities mentioned above I would choose Redding.

Kaligirl · 10-11-2006, 12:55 AM

Thank you WN737 for your reply. I really appreciate the time you took to responde. After I posted I went to a realtor website and decided it was as pricy as where I am too. I am still really interested in CO, the only drawback there is the cold weather and driving conditions. That's why I was interested in Northern Cal, where there is some weather, but not as severe as other places. Not sure what to do now. I am not use to those conditions, other than that they have wonderful communities there. So if you are done with Roseville, may I ask where are you off to? I am open to ideas.
Thank you.

greatbasinguide · 10-11-2006, 08:36 AM

Consider, Redding and Redbluff. Central Valley towns. But, close to mtns. You can drive to Lassen or Shasta or west into the very wild and rugged coast range easily. Most folk think of those towns as pretty redneck... Chico on the other hand is a progressive town with lots going on. Your interest in CO... Remember in CA, you can duplicate geography of most any state in the Union.. If you were to state what it is about CO that appeals to you, perhaps we could find a place in CA that fits... My problem with CO,,, the East slope,,, crowded,,, John Denver kinda wrecked that state

got so many folks to move to it.

Surprisingly, there is a mountainous area of CA that is a collection of small towns, no McDonalds and green year round.

WN737 · 10-11-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaligirl

Thank you WN737 for your reply. I really appreciate the time you took to responde. After I posted I went to a realtor website and decided it was as pricy as where I am too. I am still really interested in CO, the only drawback there is the cold weather and driving conditions. That's why I was interested in Northern Cal, where there is some weather, but not as severe as other places. Not sure what to do now. I am not use to those conditions, other than that they have wonderful communities there. So if you are done with Roseville, may I ask where are you off to? I am open to ideas.
Thank you.

I'm actually still in high school but I really want to go to college in Colorado. Yes it can get cold there but after living in such warm places, I also lived in Arizona for 6 years, I'm looking forward to a cooler climate. I would like to live in the Denver area and from the research I've done there are many options to choose from. You can buy a 1-bedroom condominium for around $50,000 in Aurora. As far as single-family homes, it seems they can go from anywhere in the low $200's to the high $6-700's.

Kaligirl · 10-12-2006, 01:12 AM

We are considering out of state due to the unaffordable housing, congestion and traffic here in SoCal. I am open to any suggestions on areas of California that might still fit a more economical and higher quality of life. We need access to a major airport for work etc. I am not use to the "four seasons" but am considering it as a possibility so that we have more options to look at for relocation.

Thanks for everyone's input. I don't suppose there is such a thing left in California, or if there is what the trade off might be? What do you all think? Is it still possible to find the American Dream in CA. I wish it was and you all would tell me where to find it.

Kali

greatbasinguide · 10-12-2006, 08:32 AM

Yes, Alturas. quiet, clean, a good place for kids.

looking4home · 10-12-2006, 06:17 PM

Kaligirl, I agree with the above posts. But they forgot to mention how hot Redding gets in the summer - scorching! It doesn't get the benefit of the Delta breeze that Roseville manages to just barely get. Roseville is very expensive now, and the traffic is a nightmare! They just keep on building, and building, and building... just picture OC about 10-20 years ago, and you'll get the picture. Benecia smells bad. Everytime I drive through there, I say, "What's that smell?" and then I remember where I am! They have oil refineries there and other factories. You live in SD? What about Fallbrook or someplace like that?

Note2baby · 10-21-2008, 05:30 PM

Lived here for nearly 10 years and never "smelled" the refineries. As opposed to Rodeo-Richmond area where the refineries smell bad all the time. Climate here is great, a few hot days but nothing that isnt bareable. It has a good school system. A very nice way of life and always something going on in the downtown area. Farmers Mkts run from spring to end of Oct. Shopping is also good, with medical, dental and RX services availible in both ends of town.
Redding and Roseville are both North and have a HOTTER climate. Winters are very mild here.

tande1n5 · 10-21-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WN737

I only know a little about Benicia and Redding but I'm currently living in Roseville.

Redding: The Redding airport has commuter flights to San Francisco, Portland, and I believe Seattle. I believe Redding is the cheapest of these three cities and the housing market isn't as high as other areas in the state.

Roseville: The Sacramento Airport is about 30 minutes away and has flights to most California cities and many destinations nationwide. The housing prices are ridiculesly high for the area. The new homes out here are going for $400,000 to $600,000. Personally I don't think its worth it, Roseville is a nice area but I don't understand why everyone keeps spending so much to live here.

The talk about airports and your user name leads me to believe you're something of a Southwest enthusiast, yes?