Thinking of moving to Vallejo, CA. What is it like?
July 27, 2023 9:07 PM Subscribe
I came accross an affordable housing opportunity in Vallejo, CA and I'm seriously considering moving there from downtown San Francisco. BUT I have some questions for people who live there.
For almost 20 years I've lived in the same downtown SF neighborhood, in the same rent controlled apartment. I was certain that I would never leave. However, a series of unfortunate events have happened over the past 2 years that have made me reconsider that. While my current neighborhood has a lot going for it, I think I'm ready to live somewhere a little quieter and, quite frankly, safer. That being said, I want to still be close enough to visit the big city and I don't want to live in an alienating, homogeneous suburb.
After months of fantasy Zillow shopping, I found a lovely little condo in Vallejo that I can afford in a neighborhood that I think I like. I am seriously considering moving there.
I've been to Vallejo several times to work on theater projects and visit friends, and I've always liked it. However, my knowledge is pretty limited to what's around the Vallejo Ferry.
I'd love to hear from people who live there. I have a few specific questions, but feel free to throw in anything else you think a prospective Vallejo citizen should know.
1. What do you love about living in Vallejo?
2. Conversely, what do you hate about it?
3. What are the neighborhoods in Vallejo? When I try to find this information, I get real estate sites that call neighborhoods things like "Estate Lawn" or "West Cut" or some other stupid marketing name. What are the real names, and where can I find good, unbiased info about them?
3. Where can I find a good map that shows the different neighborhoods?
Something kinda like this: SF Neighborhoods
4. My little dream home is in a neighborhood that I think is called Terrace Park. What do you know about this area?
5. IF YOU MOVED TO VALLEJO, do you regret it? Why or why not?
6. Anything else I should know?
Thank you for your help, hive mind!
For almost 20 years I've lived in the same downtown SF neighborhood, in the same rent controlled apartment. I was certain that I would never leave. However, a series of unfortunate events have happened over the past 2 years that have made me reconsider that. While my current neighborhood has a lot going for it, I think I'm ready to live somewhere a little quieter and, quite frankly, safer. That being said, I want to still be close enough to visit the big city and I don't want to live in an alienating, homogeneous suburb.
After months of fantasy Zillow shopping, I found a lovely little condo in Vallejo that I can afford in a neighborhood that I think I like. I am seriously considering moving there.
I've been to Vallejo several times to work on theater projects and visit friends, and I've always liked it. However, my knowledge is pretty limited to what's around the Vallejo Ferry.
I'd love to hear from people who live there. I have a few specific questions, but feel free to throw in anything else you think a prospective Vallejo citizen should know.
1. What do you love about living in Vallejo?
2. Conversely, what do you hate about it?
3. What are the neighborhoods in Vallejo? When I try to find this information, I get real estate sites that call neighborhoods things like "Estate Lawn" or "West Cut" or some other stupid marketing name. What are the real names, and where can I find good, unbiased info about them?
3. Where can I find a good map that shows the different neighborhoods?
Something kinda like this: SF Neighborhoods
4. My little dream home is in a neighborhood that I think is called Terrace Park. What do you know about this area?
5. IF YOU MOVED TO VALLEJO, do you regret it? Why or why not?
6. Anything else I should know?
Thank you for your help, hive mind!
I don't have direct experience with Vallejo, but I have seen it in the news in recent years due to police shootings and their handling of the police shootings, so you might want to read up on that when deciding.
posted by bluecore at 6:47 AM on July 28, 2023
posted by bluecore at 6:47 AM on July 28, 2023
I saw this link about neighborhoods in the Reddit Vallejo subforum
posted by gt2 at 7:06 AM on July 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by gt2 at 7:06 AM on July 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've never lived there and never would. They have a notoriously corrupt and incompetent police force.
posted by dobbs at 8:46 AM on July 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by dobbs at 8:46 AM on July 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
I know someone online who moved to Vallejo and seems to like it, but literally everyone else always talks about the crime issues there. Every time I go to the Mare Island area for a festival I get people freaking out about my safety (note: I've been fine). However, you're from SF, so frankly that may be same old, same old to you? Maybe not something that would faze you?
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:04 AM on July 28, 2023
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:04 AM on July 28, 2023
Response by poster: I too have heard about Vallejo being "crime infested" and "dirty". I find that those reports are often relative to where people are visiting from, which is why I would love to hear from someone who has actually experienced living in Vallejo.
I also find that sometimes when those labels are applied by people from out of town, they are often more reflective of the racial, cultural, and/or economic makeup of the area rather than actual crime. This is probably shocking to no one.
And yeah, I do have almost 20 years of experience living in a "bad" neighborhood. Even now, I really hate it when people from out of town tell me how bad my neighborhood is. It's got it's problems, but I wouldn't have stayed for so long if it had been that terrible. I'm just at a point in my life where inner city living is starting to lose its appeal and I'm ready for something different.
Where are you, Vallejo residing Mefites?
posted by firemonkey at 9:54 AM on July 28, 2023
I also find that sometimes when those labels are applied by people from out of town, they are often more reflective of the racial, cultural, and/or economic makeup of the area rather than actual crime. This is probably shocking to no one.
And yeah, I do have almost 20 years of experience living in a "bad" neighborhood. Even now, I really hate it when people from out of town tell me how bad my neighborhood is. It's got it's problems, but I wouldn't have stayed for so long if it had been that terrible. I'm just at a point in my life where inner city living is starting to lose its appeal and I'm ready for something different.
Where are you, Vallejo residing Mefites?
posted by firemonkey at 9:54 AM on July 28, 2023
Best answer: I grew up in Vallejo and my Mom still lives there. We visit regularly. I wouldn't count myself as THE expert, but I do know some things.
Not sure if you have kids, that would impact my answer. The public school system was no bueno when I attended (decades ago) and I do not think things have improved.
We have lived in our family house since the late 80s and have had a lot of the same neighbors for over 30 years. So people keep tabs and watch out for each other. Couple of years ago, when a family member had a medical emergency, neighbors were at the house (by the time I arrived) consoling my other family members. So there's a huge positive there - community.
Vallejo is all what you make of it. If you are an adult and are involved in your own hobbies/activities, you won't even come across some of the elements that give the area a bad name. There is a great bay coastline to trek, beautiful vistas and parks, etc. Easy ferry to the city. I think there's a big pirate themed fair. Vallejo had a Juneteenth celebration YEARS before it became a thing nationwide (much less a holiday). Cool little spots to eat. If you are into boating, there is a municipal marina and another in Glen Cove, and one in nearby Benicia. Speaking of Benicia, it is a small jaunt down 780 and has cool little restaurants and a nice main strip (1st street) to hang out at.
Weather can be similar to the city, as in cold and windy especially if you live by the water. However, we do get more sun during spring and summer. So an AC would be helpful. Public transportation is so-so, definitely would be depending on a car to get around (like grocery shopping, etc.).
Vallejo doesn't have the greatest reputation. And in many ways, that reputation is well deserved. Issues like prostitution, drugs, and despair do persist. But that is any given city in the bay area other than the super high end ones. You can live your entire life here and not deal with any of that stuff, or maybe peripherally see such things as you drive by. This provides opportunities for people like us to volunteer to help others, mentorship opportunities, and so on. All what you make of it.
I have young children and have chosen to live in the city, one reason is due to my personal experience with the Vallejo public school system (also in downtown SF, we're probably neighbors) but there are other reasons (career) that brought us to SF. However, without kids, Vallejo is definitely a place I would consider living mainly for cost.
Hope this helps. Feel free to Memail me.
posted by Soma707 at 11:33 AM on July 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
Not sure if you have kids, that would impact my answer. The public school system was no bueno when I attended (decades ago) and I do not think things have improved.
We have lived in our family house since the late 80s and have had a lot of the same neighbors for over 30 years. So people keep tabs and watch out for each other. Couple of years ago, when a family member had a medical emergency, neighbors were at the house (by the time I arrived) consoling my other family members. So there's a huge positive there - community.
Vallejo is all what you make of it. If you are an adult and are involved in your own hobbies/activities, you won't even come across some of the elements that give the area a bad name. There is a great bay coastline to trek, beautiful vistas and parks, etc. Easy ferry to the city. I think there's a big pirate themed fair. Vallejo had a Juneteenth celebration YEARS before it became a thing nationwide (much less a holiday). Cool little spots to eat. If you are into boating, there is a municipal marina and another in Glen Cove, and one in nearby Benicia. Speaking of Benicia, it is a small jaunt down 780 and has cool little restaurants and a nice main strip (1st street) to hang out at.
Weather can be similar to the city, as in cold and windy especially if you live by the water. However, we do get more sun during spring and summer. So an AC would be helpful. Public transportation is so-so, definitely would be depending on a car to get around (like grocery shopping, etc.).
Vallejo doesn't have the greatest reputation. And in many ways, that reputation is well deserved. Issues like prostitution, drugs, and despair do persist. But that is any given city in the bay area other than the super high end ones. You can live your entire life here and not deal with any of that stuff, or maybe peripherally see such things as you drive by. This provides opportunities for people like us to volunteer to help others, mentorship opportunities, and so on. All what you make of it.
I have young children and have chosen to live in the city, one reason is due to my personal experience with the Vallejo public school system (also in downtown SF, we're probably neighbors) but there are other reasons (career) that brought us to SF. However, without kids, Vallejo is definitely a place I would consider living mainly for cost.
Hope this helps. Feel free to Memail me.
posted by Soma707 at 11:33 AM on July 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
The City Data forums answer a lot of these kinds of questions for people considering moves all around the US and Canada.
posted by apparently at 12:31 PM on July 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by apparently at 12:31 PM on July 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
I’m not from California but if it were me, I’d try renting a VRBO/airbnb or hotel room for a week or two near where you want to buy and trying to do all your normal work and life activities to see how things worked. (I’m generally anti-airbnb but I have to admit they seem to have more coverage in areas with zero hotel options.)
posted by ec2y at 5:33 PM on July 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ec2y at 5:33 PM on July 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
I would suggest that you do a lot more research before buying. If you're looking to leave San Francisco because of the general decline, it's worth making sure that your new city is trending in the other direction. To be blunt, I don't think that's the case with Vallejo. For example, Vallejo is on the way to world-class Napa and Sonoma wine countries, why hasn't it benefitted from the decades of growth that's happened right next door? Check crime rates, city government data, school scores, etc - these are all telling. The police corruption mentioned above is also worth examining.
posted by hampanda at 10:57 PM on July 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hampanda at 10:57 PM on July 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
« Older Tell me what to make with fresh cayenne peppers | Was this from Steppenwolf (Hesse)? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
For question 6, definitely look up past news about oil refinery incidents in the Vallejo area.
posted by wintersweet at 5:25 AM on July 28, 2023