The East San Francisco Bay community of Concord is just 29 miles away from the major metropolis, making it a great place to live.
Also centrally located to Napa and Silicon Valley, as well as Sacramento, the California sector constantly cultivates a sense of camaraderie among locals who remain in the town long after being born and raised within the borders.
If you are interested in finding out more about this fabulous city, read this guide to get the scoop on its cost of living, education, employment and more. This brochure just may change your life after you read it and decide Concord is where you want to call home.
Concord Climate
With a high of around 90 degrees in the summer and a low of 41 degrees in the winter, the community is quite comfortable when it comes to year-round weather. With four distinct seasons, locals love to lather up with sunscreen in June, July and August and get out their favorite sweaters in December, January and February. With no snow and only 18-inches of rain falling 57 days of the year, residents rarely have to shelter themselves from the storm.
Concord Neighborhoods
With around 30 separate sectors in the city, Concord is made up of many subdivisions. The city is divided into three districts, southern, northern and the valley. Concord Valley, the largest neighborhood in the vicinity with around 56,000 residents, and the region of Diablo Creek Golf Course, the smallest section with 25 locals, are polar opposites, showing how many parts of the municipality are dense and other areas are sparse. While different in many ways, all parts of the city are brought together through the Concord Neighborhood Partnership Program that is dedicated to preserving a pristine quality-of-life everywhere Some of the more expensive areas of Concord noted for affluent living are Oak Grove Road, David Avenue and Babel Lane. Less popular areas noted for crime rather than comfort are Detroit Avenue and Monument Boulevard.
Registering Your Car
Once you move to the state, you have 10 days to maintain a license from the California Division of Motor Vehicles. You are considered a state resident if you register to vote, pay school tuition or file property taxes. To get a license, you must provide proof of name, address and birth date, as well as a Security Card. If you do not have an out of state license to turn in, you will have to take a knowledge, road and vision test. The cost of a state license it $39. Registering your car and receiving California plates is easy and must be done within 20 days of relocating to the region. Proof of insurance is needed for vehicle registration and costs $46 dollars.
Concord Schools
The Mount Diablo Unified School District serves area youth at its 28 elementary, 9 middle and 5 high schools as well as other educational sites in the system. Clayton Valley Charter High School is another popular secondary campus students are taught at. And of course there are a handful of parochial schools where students receive a religious and specialized schooling. As for post-secondary college grounds, California State University, East Bay has a site in Concord, making it convenient for young adults to seek a four-year education right in town.
Concord Employment
Known as a commuter town, or bedroom community, most residents in the region work outside the confines of Concord, traveling less than 40 minutes away to San Francisco and 25 minutes away to Oakland for work. But don't be deceived, there is plenty of work in the province that has a 8.5 percent unemployment rate. Though it is a bit higher than the national average, the unemployment rate compared to other American cities is relatively reasonable. Top employers in town that keep the local economy strong are the school district with more than 4,300 workers, Wells Fargo Credit Center and Chevron with 1,500 employees each and Bank of America Technology Center with 1,300 staff members. The Concord Chamber of Commerce is always on call working to strengthen the local economy as it offers so much to area merchants.
Living Costs in the City
One of, if not, the only down side to creating a life in the community is the high cost of living. At 5.6 percent greater than the California average and 38.5 percent greater than the national average, it proves to be a bit pricey in the province. CNN Money reports a median family income of $75,166 and the median home price at $244,366. The cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the area starts at around $1,000 but can reach as high as $1,800 depending on the location and luxury of the unit. Utility costs also vary depending on family size and usage, obviously costing less for a couple compared to a family of five.
Concord Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Concord, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in California. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Concord Transportation
Interstate 680 and State Routes 2 and 242 serve the city and some main thoroughfares are Willow Pass, Clayton and Oak Grove Roads as well as Monument and Treat Boulevards. When not driving themselves, locals jump on a bus to get around town with the County Connection. The public transit agency also has paratransit service as well. As for airports, Buchanan Field is a local landing strip, but to catch flights farther out of the area, residents must leave from Oakland International Airport, which is just 30 minutes away.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Between children's' festivals, ice cream socials and more, Concord is a family-friendly community that loves to live life to the fullest. If residents are not gathering at Todos Santos Plaza for annual summer events like the July 4th Pancake Breakfast or the Free Summer Music Series, they can found together frolicking in one of the region's many parks and recreational sites. Picnics and playgrounds in Concord are always filled with adults and children alike enjoying the great weather and one another's company. Of course the historic downtown center is filled with fine restaurants, a farmer's market and shops locals of all ages love to frequent for a good time.
Concord Relocation Tips
- Don't be sorry and end up hiring a rogue relocation business. Do a background check on the moving company you hire to assure they are trustworthy.
- Start fresh, literally. Go green when you move and reduce fuel use and your carbon footprint.
- Rather than shell out money for your relocation, get a little green back with the moving tax breaks available to you.