If you’re considering a more to San Francisco, you’re in for a real treat. Sure, the housing market is out of control and the cost of living is high, but at its heart, San Fran brings far more benefits to residents than not. It’s now home to 875,000. But between 2010 and 2017, the population climbed from 805,000 to 884,000 – an increase of nearly 10 percent! Considering the city only measures seven by seven miles, that’s a lot of people that are living in one area.
Before you can decide to make the move, you’ll need some help choosing the best neighborhood in which to live. Perhaps you want something family-friendly with good schools, or maybe you prefer a more artsy or trendy neighborhood. Luckily, San Francisco has something for everyone.
Overview of San Francisco
This iconic hilly peninsula is bordered on three sides by water, which is a draw for surfers and kiteboarders. The lush areas around them lure in hikers of all abilities. And foodies will love visiting all the top-notch restaurants in this vibrant city. With forested trails and beaches just a few minutes away, you can’t go wrong living here.
There are so many cultural groups and neighborhoods within San Francisco, you’re sure to find a place where you fit in. From Chinatown and Little Italy to Japan Town and the Latino-inspired Mission District, the varied cuisine alone will ensure your taste buds never get bored.
San Fran is notorious for being hilly, but rest assured, all neighborhoods here are walkable. In fact, there are 48 hills in San Francisco, ranging in steepness from 200 to 1,000 feet. There’s plenty of live music to be had here, as well as plays, festivals, Broadway shows and museums (Museum of Modern Art, the California Academy of Sciences, and the DeYoung Museum all come to mind).
And with more than 30 neighborhoods to select from, you will have plenty of options available to you when deciding to move here.
If you’re looking to buy, consider that single-family homes and condos are in high demand here, with most going for over a million dollars. And that’s after getting into bidding wars with other buyers. But it’s worth noting that the East, North, or South Bays are particularly attractive to young professionals who eventually decide to have kids. These homes are a bit more affordable.
Factors When Choosing an SF Neighborhood
A very personal decision, the neighborhood you choose should only come about after careful research. Do you want a quiet, tree-lined residential street or a busy hotspot where something’s always going on? Do you want to live in a classic row house indicative of life in San Fran or do you want to be immersed in a neighborhood that has the best fish tacos? Do you like fog (it’s there all the time)? How much money do you want to spend on a home?
Do you have your own car? This is a good question to ask yourself because it will dictate where you want to live. If you plan to bring your vehicle with you on your move, choose a neighborhood away from the center of the city. Parking is scarce, as it is in any major city. You don’t want to spend half your day trying to secure a spot. If you have a car, focus on outer areas such as Sunset, Richmond, Noe Valley, Cole Valley, and Bernal Heights neighborhoods.
What does your commute look like? Many people commute to the downtown Financial District or to Silicon Valley. Many of them decide to use the public transit system called MUNI, but it’s known for bring slow and overcrowded. Budget your time wisely in choosing a neighborhood far away from your place of work.
What kind of weather are you looking to enjoy? San Francisco isn’t a one-size-fits-all choice across the board when it comes to weather. Rather, it’s known for its microclimates. While the Outer Sunset area, for example, may be experiencing freezing fog, Dolores Park in the Mission District may be warm and sunny. So, if you don’t like cold weather and persistent fog, look further outside the city in areas such as South Bay or East Bay.
Schools
What kind of schools do you want for your kids? The city proper is more popular with singles than families with kids, but students at public schools here fare very well compared with other urban school districts across the nation. The San Francisco Unified School District boasts higher proficiency levels on tests than students across the state in English and Math.
With that being said, keep in mind that school rankings do vary districtwide, so you’ll have to do some research on the specific schools in your chosen area. Kids here are assigned to schools via a lottery system. In a nutshell, your kid may not be able to go to the school closest to your neighborhood, which could pose an inconvenience. On the other side of the coin, your child is not restricted to one school, and can go to a better school in another neighborhood if they can secure a spot in the lottery system. Learn more about San Francisco schools here.
In addition to public schools, there are also strong private schools here — 116 schools in fact, home to 26,000 students. This is almost half as many as attend the public schools (53,000 students).
From the Marina to the Outer Richmond and Sunset Districts, the neighborhood you choose is a highly personal decision. Our movers can help make sure the transition is smooth.
Contact Dependable Movers
If a move to San Francisco is in your future, Dependable Movers is the one to choose because we live and work in this area too. Kick off your journey with a free quote when you contact us at 415-449-7471.