Are you looking to move to San Francisco? Are you nervous about making sure you pick a neighborhood that’s great for you and your family?
It can be really difficult to choose the right neighborhood for your next move. But luckily, we’re here to help.
Let’s go through the best neighborhoods in San Francisco so you have an idea of where to live and where the hot spots are.
Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and largest in North America. Vibrant and full of delightful food and entertainment, Chinatown is a great place to live or just hang out.
Check out the wonderful Dragon’s Gate, have drinks at Red Blossom Tea Company, grab a snack at Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, marvel at the beauty of Portsmouth Square, and learn about the local culture at The Chinese Historical Society.
Truly, Chinatown is one of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco, and not only for the culture.
Chinatown is a completely walkable neighborhood, with plenty of access to public transportation. Because it’s located so near to the core of San Francisco, it’s easy to access lots of different areas of the city, making for a particularly easy commute. It’s a fifteen-minute walk to Union Square, and just twenty minutes away from Market street.
The Mission
If you’re looking for great views and beautiful architecture, you definitely need to check out The Mission.
Of course, San Francisco has one of the highest costs of living in the entire world. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is a whopping $3,500 each month.
Living in the Mission is no exception. If you’ve got the coin, it’s a wonderful place to live. However, if your budget is a little smaller, you can still have a wonderful time exploring the neighborhood.
Those who are planning to move into this neighborhood usually have some extra valuables they may have trouble figuring out how to move. Make sure that you look into white glove movers to make sure all of your most prized possessions are safely moved to your new home.
Fruitvale
Fruitvale is known nationwide for being one of the few neighborhoods in the country to successfully fight gentrification. Technically located in Oakland, the neighborhood is home to the largest Hispanic neighborhood in the area.
Fruitvale is also home to some of the best public transportation in the area. Much of the development in the neighborhood has centered around public transit.
Fruitvale offers amazing Mexican food options from places like Nieves Cinco de Mayo, Churros Mexicanos, Mariscos La Costa, and Obelisco, and is home to amazing cultural sites like the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Rue de Merde, and Fruitvale Village.
Plus, if you fancy a day at the lake, Oakland is home to Lake Merritt, so you can spend a lazy day canoeing across the lake, hanging out on shore, jogging around, or checking out some of the local wildlife.
Castro
Looking for some LGBTQ+ pride? Castro is the place for you. It’s not just a fun place to live, but it’s an important historical landmark. Castro is a great place to ride the F-Line (known as the streetcar to some of us).
If you’re looking for plenty of nightlife, concerts, and other events, Castro is the place for you.
Most people rent their homes in this area, since real estate in Castro can be especially pricey. However, it’s an incredibly ethnically and economically diverse neighborhood, and it’s known as a great place to raise a family in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Rockridge
If you’re looking for easy access to the University of California, Berkeley, you may want to look into Rockridge. A little further outside the city center, it’s a beautiful neighborhood with all the amenities you need. If you’re looking for a laid back vibe in a more suburban setting, Rockridge might be what you’re looking for.
There are tons of amazing attractions for kids, from the Rockridge Branch Library to The Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival. If you’re a fan of shopping, Rockridge is home to many different vintage clothing and book shops for you to pursue at your leisure on any lazy weekend in your new neighborhoods.
If you’re looking to move from within the San Francisco area, there are many local moving options available for you. Just make sure you do your research and find the best company for your needs
Palo Alto
Are you looking into getting into the technology industry? Do you plan to attend or work at Stanford University? Palo Alto is a hub of activity you should certainly consider.
Technically its own city, Palo Alto features easy access to many different things. Some of the many companies with locations in and around Palo Alto include Apple, Google, Paypal, Hewlett-Packard, Tesla, Lockheed Martin, and Logitech.
Of course, Palo Alto is a place where it’s incredibly difficult to find affordable housing — or housing whatsoever.
Mission Bay
Mission Bay is one of the newest neighborhoods in the San Francisco area, which doesn’t mean it should be written off. It was redeveloped from a former industrial district, which was previously a dumping ground for natural disaster debris.
The neighborhood is home to the Chase Center, so if you’re a fan of the Golden State Warriors then Mission Bay is definitely a neighborhood to look into.
The neighborhood features access to both the BART and the Caltrain. It also features tons of different opportunities for outdoor activities and tons of sleek modern living facilities for the most up to date residential experience.
Russian Hill
You’ve probably heard of Lombard Street, otherwise known as the most crooked street in the world (it’s not). But, that’s not all that Russian Hill has to offer. It was named once a Russian cemetery was found – you guessed it – on top of a hill. The neighborhood is prone to tourists, but for good reason.
It’s a beautiful, picturesque neighborhood, with plenty of attractions for the entire family. It’s chock-full of incredible architecture. Plus, Russian Hill is one of the quieter San Francisco neighborhoods, making it perfect for people looking to get away from the hectic buzz of everyday life, or looking to raise their family in a quieter locale.
Haight-Ashbury
Even if you’ve never been to San Francisco, you’ve almost certainly heard of Haight-Ashbury. It’s one of the most famous neighborhoods in the entire world. Its name comes from the intersection of the streets Ashbury and Haight.
It first became known as a haven for hippies in the 1960s. It’s now known for being one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area.
It’s home to bars and restaurants galore, perfect for the young person getting used to a brand new city. Pizza, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, the possibilities are endless when it comes to your stomach.
Bernal Heights
If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a more small-town feel, than Bernal Heights may be the place for you. This residential neighborhood has been surging in popularity, but that doesn’t mean it still can’t be a great place to settle in.
It features one of the most beautiful parks in the city, Bernal Hill Park, where you’ll be able to see almost the entire city. That’s just one of the many beautiful outdoor spaces you can find in the area.
Bernal Heights is also home to some of the best live music in the city at spots like El Rio. Or, if you’re more into the chill side of things, you can check out many different farmers’ markets in the surrounding area.
The Marina
For those who are looking for a neighborhood that’s always teeming with life, The Marina is the place to be. The Marina is one of the busiest and most popular spots in the city, and you can barely turn your head without finding something else to do.
There are tours, bay cruises, and parties galore. Clearly, there’s no end in sight to what to do at the Marina.
These Best Neighborhoods in San Francisco Are Just the Start
Are you getting excited about moving to San Francisco? Now that you know the best neighborhoods in San Francisco, you’ll have so many great things to do on your new adventure.
Make sure you do plenty of research and scout out the sites so you don’t overlook anything before you head out to your new home.
Are you looking for movers in the San Francisco area? Contact Dependable Movers today for all the help you need.
Still not sold on San Francisco? We’ve got you covered. We also provide top moving services in Berkeley, Danville, Mill Valley, San Mateo, Sausalito, and Walnut Creek.