I may be offered a job in Napa Valley, Calif., and I was wondering what it was like living there. I am interested in cost of living (food & rent), owning a car (taxes, parking) vs. public transportation (if any), crime rate, community culture, and general living experience. I heard it’s a wonderful place to live. I am just afraid I will be quick to move because I come from a high stress city.
If possible, send me Web sites with accurate information on Napa Valley (blogs are welcome too!) Thank you for your help!
2007-04-18 06:56:13 · 8 answers · asked by capnvalcano 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Francisco
I personally love it! I've visited family here for 20 years, and finally made the move here almost 3 years ago and never ever regretted it.
Rents are pretty outrageous, but not as bad as SF, and if you live in Napa it's cheaper than the rest of the valley. The farther upvalley you go, the more expensive EVERYTHING gets. My last apt. was $1100 for a 3BR in a decent area of town. The 2BR house I rent now is about the same. But if we had to move, the rents are more like $1400 to start for a house. Buying a house I really wouldn't recommend. There are a few condos around $300K, and a few crappy houses in the $400's, but anything remotely decent would be $500-$600K.
I can't speak for the car costs, because it all depends on your record and type and age of car. But VINE is the local bus system. And there's plenty of taxi service here, and a downtown trolley.
Food cost is nothing out of the ordinary. The crime rate is virtually nil. I find people to be generally friendly, like a small town. I find driving here is pretty easy, it just gets nutty during the summer tourist season on 29 or Silverado Trail. But I have no reason to go upvalley. Driving around Napa proper is a breeze.
There's an opera house in town, movie theater, lots of organizations, events all the time. The food is awesome. There's a lot of shopping to do here. There are two dept. stores in the Town Center, a huge outlet mall, 2 Targets, Wal-Mart, a bookstore, my God, about anything you need to find.
To me the weather is always gorgeous, but I moved from a place with tornados and blizzards and below freezing temps. This is bliss!
Try reading the Napa Valley Register online to get an idea of the stuff going on and the housing prices. It'll give you a general feel for the area. http://www.napavalleyregister.com
I don't think you'll ever regret moving here. I know I don't!
2007-04-19 07:48:14 · answer #1 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Living In Napa Valley
2016-11-12 02:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by datta 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
What is it like to live in Napa Valley, California?
I may be offered a job in Napa Valley, Calif., and I was wondering what it was like living there. I am interested in cost of living (food & rent), owning a car (taxes, parking) vs. public transportation (if any), crime rate, community culture, and general living experience. I heard it’s a wonderful...
2015-08-07 09:02:53 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have lived in napa for the past 7 years. It has been going through a lot of changes. Lots of growth. It is a smallish town of about 75,000 people. It is a farming community. There' isn't a lot of shopping, like big major department stores or malls. you have drive outside the county for that.
It is very laid back living. think of it as citified country. It is very yuppie. Cost of living is quite high as is much of the rest of the bay area. Median home pricing to buy is in the mid-400s to 500s. but can go up and down from there. Food is the same it is everywhere in california. We do have lower sales tax rate of only 7.75. Neighboring counties are upwards of 8.5%. Public transportation is not very good. There are bus routes, but i never see anybody on them. Driving is the best route. But bike riding is also a good option. Most of the valley floor is flat and there are always tons of bikes. Parking isn't really that bad.
the only down side is the high tourist season from Memorial Day to Labor day. Highway 29, one of 2 routes north in the valley is usually clogged up pretty bad.
crime is relatively low as it is a nice little bedroom community.
One thing I would like to also pass along is that if you are looking for the singles scene, and are in your 30s, it is very difficult. I am 31 and find I am either too old for the 20 somethings or too young for the 40 somethings.
I like living here, but don't know that I would call it wonderful. It is kind of boring if you don't like wine/food. But on the flip side, you can be in san francisco in like 45 min.
weather is pretty great most of the year. Mid 70s to 80s. Winter can be quite wet from December through March. We flooded pretty bad last year on New year's 2006. However ongoing flood control projects are helping.
2007-04-18 08:37:17 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Want to let you all know that if you are moving to Napa, be sure to select Dr. Daniel M Capponi, DDS as your family dentist! Highly rated on YELP. Visit his website at http://www.drcapponidds.com
2014-07-09 09:23:32 · answer #5 · answered by Dan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't live there, (I live inmarin) but have friends up that way..
the idea is more glamourous than actually living there. Heavy traffic, high cost of living... if you have lots of money.. have at.
there are the high and low extremes on income.
just take time when you choose a place to live should you take it.
not sure if it helps...
oh, there is usually a lot of meth in the area, so I've heard.. so if you don't like tweakers...
2007-04-18 07:05:33 · answer #6 · answered by bilko_ca 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
good food good wine
2007-04-18 07:23:45 · answer #7 · answered by okole 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
damn I drove though there once its just a bunch of ******* grapes and grapes and more ******* grapes
2007-04-18 06:58:57 · answer #8 · answered by bam 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋