Cover photo by Belle Co
There are so many reasons why the San Francisco Bay Area has been dubbed as one of the most desired places to live in the United States. A booming economy, amazing weather year-round, world-class culinary scene, and endless options for enjoying the outdoors and staying active are just some of them.
If you are considering moving to San Francisco Bay Area, this article lists 25 things you need to know about this region.
Photo by KEHN HERMANO
Your Basic Guide to Moving to San Francisco
Before you move to the Bay Area, it would be good to learn a few things about this place; starting with a few basic information, such as:
- San Francisco is among the priciest cities to live in the United States, primarily because of its role as the heart of the tech boom.
- World-class art galleries and museums like the de Young Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), where you can see masterpieces from Georgia O’Keefe and Andy Warhol, are located in San Francisco.
- San Francisco’s school district is one of the best in the state. Over 55,000 students attend public schools, though private schools are a favored option for San Francisco families.
- Those pursuing higher learning attend the University of San Francisco and the University of California, San Francisco, as well as Stanford University in Palo Alto. University of California, Berkeley, is only 30 minutes away from the Bay Bridge.
San Francisco Bay Area Real Estate Market
Do you have plans to buy a house once you move to the San Francisco Bay Area? The information below is based on the most recent reports and can help you prepare your budget for your home purchase:
- San Francisco’s real estate market has slowed down in 2022, after two years of plummeting inventory and sky-high home prices, according to the latest data from Redfin.
- However, mortgage rates for 30-year loans are above 6%, resulting to higher monthly payments.
- In August 2022, inventory increased by 5.3% year over year.
- Within the same month, the median home price in the Bay Area was $1.4 million.
- The luxury real estate market was least affected by any economic crisis brought up by the Covid-19 pandemic, with around 40% to 60% of wealthy buyers paying all cash for their home purchase. The rest are putting in at least a 20% down payment.
Photo by picjumbo.com
San Francisco Bay Area Jobs
The Bay Area offers endless opportunities for career growth in various industries.
- The Bay Area’s economy is incredibly prosperous. San Francisco is home to 18 Fortune 500 companies.
- The region is a hotbed for certain industries, such as the wine country of Napa to the north and Silicon Valley to the south.
- These are the Bay Area’s leading industries:
- Information and Technology
- Financial Services
- Biotechnology and Life Sciences
- Professional and Business Services
- Manufacturing
- Leisure and Hospitality
- Among the companies listed on the 25 best places to work in the Bay Area based on local employees are:
- Adobe: “Committed to Diversity and Inclusion and social justice, very involved in corporate giving and matching employee donations.”
- Zoom Video Communications: “The constant and underlining objective of delivering happiness. Happy customers and happy employees.”
- Apple: “I love the teamwork! Apple focuses more on a person’s wins, and looks at everything else as an opportunity to improve.”
- Google: “Enlightening. Google cares about its employees and I’ve felt supported. Just as important, they truly care about their users.”
- Uber: “We have a clear mission and the passion is pretty palpable. We’re open and transparent.”
- Based on federal standards, those earning $82,000 in San Francisco county qualify as “low income.”
Photo by ELEVATE
San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants
The Bay Area is known for its bustling culinary scene:
- 5 new restaurants in the Bay Area you must check out:
- Quince in San Francisco in Uptown
- Jo’s Modern Thai in Laurel District
- Automat SF in Western Addition
- Liliana in The Mission
- Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya in Berkeley
- These Bay Area restaurants are among the best in the world, according to Forbes:
- Atelier Crenn in San Francisco
- FARM in Napa
- Layla at MacArthur Place in Sonoma
- The Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena
- Solbar in Calistoga
- The San Francisco restaurants below are favorites among locals:
- Original Joe’s
- House of Prime Rib
- El Farolito
- Kokkari Estiatorio
- Fog Harbor Fish House
Photo by Pixabay
San Francisco Bay Area Traffic
If you’ve never lived or spent time in the Bay Area, traffic is one thing you’ll need to brace yourself for.
- San Francisco is said to have the 5th worst traffic of any city in the United States, with an average of 59 hours lost to congestion in 2021 alone.
- The drive from San Jose to Mountain View can take more than 2 hours due to gridlock.
- Aside from using public transit options like Amtrak, BART, and Caltrain, here are other ways to deal with the Bay Area traffic congestion:
- Plan your driving routes
- Keep an eye on 511 alerts
- Consider biking to work
- Use the HOV lane
- Green vehicle advantages
San Francisco Bay Area Map with Cities
- Here’s an interactive map that shows real estate market information on the various neighborhoods in the Bay Area:
More Tips for Moving to San Francisco
Here are a few more things that can help make your SF Bay Area moving go smoothly:
- Spend your first few weeks experiencing the many iconic structures and things to do in the Bay Area – bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, check out the Painted Ladies, and mingle with the local farmers at Sonoma Farm Trails.
- Start networking – this is essential if you’re seeking job or business opportunities. There are events posted everywhere, most of which are free and they usually offer free food and beverages, too.
- Allow yourself to settle into a routine so you can be more productive and feel more comfortable in your new home.
Best Price to Move to San Francisco Bay Area
If you prefer to rent, here’s some useful information for you:
- The standard rule when budgeting for an apartment is, you should earn three times your monthly rent. The average cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is $2,343, so your monthly pre-tax earnings should total at least $7,802 to live comfortably.
Final Thoughts
The Bay Area is simply one of the best places in the country to live and work and enjoy the many things life has to offer. If you’d like to explore your home options in the area, please call me at (510) 746-8240 so we can schedule a meeting!
Is moving to San Francisco a good idea?
Definitely! San Francisco is nestled directly next to the Pacific Ocean in northern California in the Bay Area and it’s one of the best places to live in the state.
What are the best neighborhoods in the Bay Area?
Here are some of the best neighborhoods in the Bay Area: Marina & Cow Hollow, Castro, North Beach & Fisherman’s Wharf, and Mountain View.
What is the weather like in San Francisco Bay Area?
The summers are long, comfortable, arid, and mostly clear; while the winters are short, cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Throughout the year, the temperature typically varies from 45°F to 72°F.
What is public transportation like in San Francisco?
There are several public transportation options: the bus, ferry, cable car, streetcar, or light rail train.
What are the schools like in San Francisco?
San Francisco has an excellent education system, with around 25 universities and 90 colleges within a 25-mile radius.
What are some of the attractions in the Bay Area?
Some of the most popular attractions in the Bay Area are Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, and Oracle Park.
