San Francisco is home to more than 890,000 residents, making it 4th in terms of population in California. The city is an economic and cultural hub of Northern California. San Francisco is a popular destination for tourists and international residents alike. About 26 million people visit the city each year. San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods are home to a wide range of languages.
Among the companies that hire tech workers in Golden Gate City are Lyft, Facebook, Google, Salesforce, and more. In addition, college students from universities like Stanford also reside in the area.
Colonists from Spain founded San Francisco in 1776. They established the Presidio of San Francisco with the building of the Golden Gate and the Mission San Francisco de Asis. San Francisco became the biggest city on the Western Coast in 1849 due to the California Gold Rush. In today’s world, the culture and history of the city have been shaped due to varied elements.
A rich and varied history has made San Francisco stand apart. No banks failed in the city while the country was suffering from the Great Depression. While the Depression was underway, the city erected fabulous monuments like the Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. As the only moving National Historical Monument, San Francisco’s cable cars are a famous example of ingenuity. In Golden Gate Park’s Tea Garden, a Japanese family first invented Chinese fortune cookies.
You should go through the following 5 things before you move to San Francisco:
Living Cost in San Francisco
While San Francisco’s living costs are higher when compared with many cities on the west coast like Seattle and are comparable to New York City’s living costs. There are many expenses associated with the Frisco lifestyle. In San Francisco, the cost of living is 80% higher than the nationwide average. In addition, housing is 231% more expensive. However, depending on your income, San Francisco may be worth it because of the lifestyle and beauty it offers. You could also cut down on your rent expense if you find a roommate in San Francisco.
Your budget will probably be dominated by rent in San Francisco, which is notoriously expensive. Rooms for rent in San Francisco will cost you about $2,000 – $2,200, for a single bedroom and a two-bedroom apartment will put you back about $2,500 – $3,000. The overall rents, however, decreased by 20% in response to the pandemic. You need a salary of at least $65,000 – $70,000 per year to afford a single-bedroom apartment and an income of at least $75,000 – $80,000 per year for a two-bedroom apartment.
A living wage of the recommended basic level differs from the estimates of median income. For a single individual working full-time, it takes $28 per hour to live above the poverty threshold in San Francisco. If you want to afford an upscale apartment and enjoy the nightlife San Francisco offers, you’ll need a good-paying job or some side hustles.
A snapshot of the San Francisco economy and job market
There are many major technology companies based in Silicon Valley, including Google and Apple. One of the city’s largest employers is Salesforce. Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are other companies where you can work. A strong tech presence makes it easy to see why San Francisco is the 6th largest economy in the U.S.
Besides tech, San Francisco offers a wide range of job opportunities. Bank of America, Wells Fargo headquarters, and the Federal Reserve Bank of S.F. are all located in the city, which has been called “the Wall Street of the West.” San Franciscans can also find employment in the city government and at the University of California, San Francisco.
San Francisco’s public transportation
San Francisco is easy to navigate without a car. Taking public transportation will save you time and money. It’s easy to get around Oakland and East Bay by taking the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) subway.
Besides streetcars, buses, and an underground train, Muni offers streetcars and buses. The locals use CalTrain between San Jose and South Bay. Clipper Cards are necessary for the transit system to travel around by public transportation. San Francisco is still rooted in the car culture despite all public transportation options, although not as much as Los Angeles. Several rideshare services, including Lyft and Uber, are available throughout San Francisco.
For a single adult who travels alone, the cost is around $4500 – $5,500, while for a family of two working adults and a child, the cost is around $8,500 – $10,000. There are many options for rental rooms in San Francisco, and the connectivity is great to help you get anywhere you want in the city.
S.F.’s Best Neighborhoods
From hippie neighborhoods to historical, upscale neighborhoods to transitional neighborhoods, San Francisco has it all. Take a look at some of the best San Francisco neighborhoods.
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Nob Hill
A legacy of wealth lives on in Nob Hill. Featuring an expensive hotel and a Gothic-style cathedral, it was once home to railroad barons’ mansions.
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Outer Sunset
The Outer Sunset neighborhood is situated on San Francisco’s western shore. Residential areas, older apartment buildings, and a commercial area are all available here. At Ocean Beach, you can also go surfing, walking, or biking.
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SoMa
A waterfront stadium hosted by the San Francisco Giants is in the South of Market, or SoMa locality. New buildings and converted warehouses house museums, upscale dining, and nightclubs.
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Pacific Heights
The posh community of Pacific Heights has many notable homes, including an 1886 Queen Anne Victorian. Renters enjoy the nearby hilltop parks and a lively street with pubs and cafes.
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Mission District
With its Latino roots and hipster vibe, the Mission District is known for its culture. Along with vibrant murals and tattoo parlors, you’ll also find lively nightclubs.
Colleges in San Francisco
In San Francisco, you’ll never be far from a higher education opportunity. In addition to engineering and computer science, Stanford offers multidisciplinary programs. At UC Berkeley, students can study natural science and engineering. Berkeley was also the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s.
In addition to offering programs in nursing, health, applied economics, and more, the University of San Francisco is a Jesuit university. A 55-acre property with stunning views situated between Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge. UCSF is one of the nation’s top health science institutions, conducting medical and biological research. Rooms for rent in San Francisco are also as per the requirement of the college students.
Is San Francisco the Right Place for You?
A student, young professional, or anyone looking for a west coast lifestyle with a city feel would find San Francisco a great place to live. It may be worth the price to enjoy the lifestyle, even though the rent is high. Explore the nearby cities that are still a short drive from San Francisco if the city isn’t for you! If you are worried about finding rental houses in San Francisco, Cirtru can help you there with plenty of listed properties and search filter options.