There’s pros and cons of living in Napa Valley and Wine Country, just like any other city or town in the U.S. And today, I’m going to share what those things are – the good AND the bad!
Napa Valley is home to many distinct cultural and recreational opportunities, ranging from its beautiful natural surroundings and gorgeous weather, to its plethora of local wine and food establishments. However, the valley is not without its negatives.
Before I get into the downsides of living in the Valley, let’s start off with the pros and why I decided to call Napa my home and why you may want to, too. (I mean, let’s be real here – you know you want to, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this vlog!!)
Pro #1
OUTSTANDING CLIMATE
First and foremost, the climate in the valley is absolutely stunning. Up-and-coming residents can look forward to clear, sunny weather nearly all year round, with the exception of a brisk rainy season from late December through mid March, and the occasional fog. The natural beauty in the valley is just as remarkable as the weather, with rolling hills and mountains as far as the eyes can see.
Because the Valley stretches for so many miles north and south, the difference in temperature can vary quite significantly – with the lower portions of the Valley (such as American Canyon) reaching the low 80’s during the height of summer, and the more northern portions of the valley such as Calistoga, hitting the high 90’s on a fairly regular basis (and sometimes even into the 100’s). You may want to take this into account when deciding which area you consider moving to.
Pros #2
WORLD RENOWNED Food & Wine
Napa Valley is also host to an abundance of wineries and fine dining establishments, with almost a dozen Michelin-starred restaurants and literally hundreds of local wineries. Check out my other video where I provide my top 10 best restaurants in Napa where I provide some tips on how to get the reservations on the day and time you want along with my most surprising top rated menu item that you absolutely MUST try when you are here next!
Pros #3
OUTDOOR HAVEN
If you are the outdoors type, then Napa will not disappoint! The Valley offers a wide variety of recreational activities including many top rated golfing spots and hiking galore at the dozens of nearby national parks (some of which allow for off-leash dogs). I would be remiss to not mention the Napa Valley Vine Trail which spans 20 miles through the Valley where you can walk, run or bike safely while enjoying the stunning surroundings.
There’s also lots of festivals taking place throughout the year (hopefully they will resume again this Summer once Covid has reached herd immunity), including Bottlerock, Napa Porchfest and many more. You can learn more about the many festivals happening in the Valley by going to https://www.visitnapavalley.com.
With all of the positives residents come to expect in any city or town, there’s always a few drawbacks as well. So let’s talk about the cons…
Con #1
Price of Housing
As one can expect, the price of housing and rent in Napa Valley is higher than average due to its location, weather, amenities – well everything I just mentioned, really. The majority of residential housing can cost anywhere from the $500,000 mark, scaling up to the tens of millions. Renting a single bed condo starts at around $1,350 per month. Click here to search current homes for sale in Napa and here to search those that have just been reduced.
Press play to view the current Napa market report (and pause to view each slide) and then check out our exclusive market reports for Napa updated daily (and other towns within the Valley via our Explore Section).
Con #2
Climate Change
With the change in climate over the course of the past several centuries, the increase in temperatures and consistent draughts throughout the State, wildfires are becoming more and more prevalent in and around the Valley. The majority of homes are within a safe distance of the majority of danger, with the residential communities set away from the large forest areas. However, this doesn’t mean that the danger of fire is not on the minds of those that live here and precautions are being taken to help minimize fires from happening in the future. As more fires happen, the county, first responders and government agencies are learning how to be more proactive and less reactive to help keep the residents of Napa Valley safe.
Con #3
COMMUTING FOR WORK
With Napa Valley being very much an ingrained tourist-driven location, the variety of work opportunities in the Valley is somewhat limited. Yes, if you are in or interested in being in the hospitality industry, Napa is THE place for you, however, if you are more tech-driven, then commuting to one of the nearby metro areas, such as San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento, (once working in the office becomes more prevalent again), will be what you should expect – which is not unusual with those living in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area as a whole.
However, depending on location, the time of day and routes, travel to and from work can take up more time than desired for many. For instance, leaving San Francisco at 5 pm and heading for the valley can take upwards of 2 hours, even though it’s only about 60 miles away. But, if you don’t mind the commute and are willing to put in the time for travel so you can spend your nights and weekends in literal heaven, then you’ve found your ultimate place to call home!
If you are considering moving to Napa or purchasing a second home here, please let me know how I can help. I’d be honored to work with you and help you make your dream a reality just like I’ve made mine a reality too.
So what are you waiting for?!? Give me a call and let’s get you moved!
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