Can you suggest the safest, cheapest area to live in or around San Francisco? (San Jose: renting, condo)

[TootsieWootsie]

Can someone suggest a safe, cheap area to live in or around the San Francisco area? I am an older white woman of 65 who is looking for a small condo to purchase possibly there in the future. Safety is a big issue, of course.
I have a friend who wants me to move near her in Benecia, but thought I would ask you folks first.

[Archan]

Of course cheap is a relative term, but I would also check out the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill area. Depending on your budget you may want to look out further.

[prunch]

A little gem of an area that is close enough with a small town feel is Brisbane

[rah]

I've heard that Benicia is a relatively nice, and cheap place...and since you say safety is a big concern when picking a city, here are the top 25 cities in the Bay Area by violent crime rate for 2007 (incidents per 100,000 residents):

1. Oakland - 1,917.8
2. Richmond - 1,190.6
3. San Francisco - 1,037.1
4. San Pablo - 1,008.3
5. Vallejo - 932.7
6. Antioch - 843.4
7. El Cerrito - 786.2
8. East Palo Alto - 785.9
9. San Leandro - 703.2
10. Union City - 643.6
11. Berkeley - 630.5
12. Hayward - 626.6
13. Fairfield - 595.7
14. Pinole - 594.4
15. Rhonert Park - 579.9
16. Newark - 536.1
17. Suisun City - 533.1
18. Gilroy - 508.7
19. San Rafael - 500.1
20. Santa Rosa - 497.6
21. Redwood City - 457.5
22. Petaluma - 413.7
23. Concord - 402.6
24. San Jose - 402.2
25. Pittsburg - 391.2

and then....

Benicia - 214.7

The average violent crime rate for the US in 2007 was 466.9/100,000 residents. So as you can see, Benicia is a very safe place statistically.

[TootsieWootsie]

I know a $200,000 one bedroom condo that really is a nothing at all is cheap to Californians, but I'm from Chicago and it's a dump compared to what you can buy here for a one bedroom. Sigh...

[Think About It!]

I would move to Benicia if I was you. I would pick a townhome on the waterfront area. I think you would enjoy living in the same town with your friend especially after moving from Chicago.

[Jonotastic]

Originally Posted by TootsieWootsie

Can someone suggest a safe, cheap area to live in or around the San Francisco area? I am an older white woman of 65 who is looking for a small condo to purchase possibly there in the future. Safety is a big issue, of course.
I have a friend who wants me to move near her in Benecia, but thought I would ask you folks first.

What's cheap?

Will you have a car?

[212david51]

Your question reads like the old NASA slogan, "You can have it fast, safe or cheap. Pick two."

An area that is cheap is not going to be all that safe. So which is more important, safe or cheap?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by TootsieWootsie

Can someone suggest a safe, cheap area to live in or around the San Francisco area? I am an older white woman of 65 who is looking for a small condo to purchase possibly there in the future. Safety is a big issue, of course.
I have a friend who wants me to move near her in Benecia, but thought I would ask you folks first.

Benecia is a nice little town and would be as safe as you are going to find in the area, but you say, cheap? Again, what do you mean by cheap and will you be buying or renting? Do you need a job or are you prepared to wait it out?

Nita

[TootsieWootsie]

Originally Posted by TootsieWootsie

Can someone suggest a safe, cheap area to live in or around the San Francisco area? I am an older white woman of 65 who is looking for a small condo to purchase possibly there in the future. Safety is a big issue, of course.
I have a friend who wants me to move near her in Benecia, but thought I would ask you folks first.

Read this thread and your questions are answered above--except not looking for a job and have a car. Benecia looks pretty from what I can tell. I think it's an hour from San Francisco, tho.