San Francisco is a place that inspires daydreams. For many San Francisco is the dream city to follow a successful career path, for others it’s just another expensive metro city.With its steep hills, sweeping ocean views, and unmistakable skyline, this city captures hearts long before it feels like home. But behind the city’s famous hills and colorful row houses, there’s a depth to San Francisco that’s both alluring and challenging.
In this guide, I’ll dive into the realities of life here: the beauty, the quirks, the chaos, and the charm. What’s it really like to live in San Francisco? Is San Francisco a good place to live? What is the cost of living in San Francisco? – and much more are some of the common questions asked when thinking about moving here.
Beyond the postcard landscape, there are complex trade-offs to consider. As a locally owned moving company we have heard stories of all kinds here. For anyone wondering if San Francisco is their next stop, we put together the ultimate guide on the pros and cons of living in San Francisco.
Pro #1 : Super Strong Job Market With Really High Paying Jobs
![r/MapPorn - Most important high-tech companies in San Francisco Bay Area [972X1003]](https://preview.redd.it/ivrg913cl1c01.png?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=42fb38b146491467649ded30e519812f2f34ea55)
If you’re looking to get into the top 1% of earners in the country, San Francisco offers that. Fueled by the booming tech market, there is no shortage of high end paying jobs. Almost all the big tech companies are located here. A few honorable mentions include:
- Apple
- Salesforce
- Square
- Uber
- Airbnb
- Dropbox
- OpenAI
In fact, tech jobs comprised a substantial 20.5% of all employment in San Francisco in 2019, demonstrating the city’s reliance on and investment in technology. Notably, nearby Silicon Valley hosts some of the world’s largest and most influential companies, including Facebook, Netflix, Google, Yahoo, Apple, and Tesla.
Pro #2: San Francisco is a Beautiful City
Set on the tip of a hilly peninsula, San Francisco stands as one of North America’s most stunning, dynamic, and walkable cities. Its compact layout makes it easy to explore on foot, with each neighborhood offering its own unique feel and attractions a short walk away.
Walking through the city, you experience incredible views of the bay, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and historic architecture—all layered against a backdrop of misty hills and vibrant street life.
Pro #3: There Is a Lot To Do & See Here
San Francisco is known for being one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the country, so boredom isn’t really on the agenda. There’s always something exciting to explore. Art and history enthusiasts will have a blast with the endless museums, galleries, and historical sites.
From charming sidewalk cafes and scenic parks to miles of hiking trails and stunning viewpoints, San Francisco has it all.
Because the city is so diverse you get a melting pot of cultures around the world. This also brings a lot of diversity when it comes to shopping, food and much more!
The food scene for example – San Francisco offers one of the best food scenes in all of the country to the point you might not even need to buy groceries if you live here as the options are endless.
Pro #4: Great Public Transport & Very Walkable Streets
One of the standout features of San Francisco is its excellent public transportation system, which makes getting around the city super convenient. The iconic cable cars offer a unique way to traverse the city’s hilly terrain, while Muni buses and light rail lines provide quick access to neighborhoods throughout the area.
For those needing to travel further, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system connects San Francisco with neighboring cities and regions, making it easy to commute or explore beyond the city limits.
Despite having such a well connected public transport system, ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are very common choices for quick commutes here. This makes people living in San Francisco not rely heavily on a car and the hustles that come with it, like insurance, parking, expensive fuel or maintenance. After all, San Francisco is where Uber originated, so it’s no surprise that the locals are fond of it.
To add to all this, San Francisco is one of the most walkable cities in the US.
Pro #5 : Breathtaking Nature
When we discussed San Francisco as one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S., we focused primarily on its man-made attractions. However, the natural beauty here is just as impressive.
San Francisco is surrounded by stunning landscapes, including the Pacific Ocean, rolling hills, and lush parks. The iconic Golden Gate Park offers expansive green spaces perfect for picnics, jogging, or simply soaking in the sun.
The nearby Marin Headlands provide incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline, making it a favorite spot for photographers and nature lovers alike.
For those who enjoy hiking, the area offers numerous trails with varying difficulty levels, such as the famous Lands End Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the coastline.
The diverse ecosystems found in places like the Presidio or Twin Peaks add to the city’s charm, providing residents with a constant reminder of nature’s wonders – And the best part? Everything is just a quick 10-minute trip away. In fact, there’s so much nature around that locals often say it’s just a stone’s throw away!
Cons Of Living in San Francisco
But this is not all! Remember how we described the nice postcard city in the beginning with challenges that sometimes are a little too difficult for locals to swallow? Like any other metro city, San Francisco also gets its share of cons – mostly in regards to cost of living which creates a chain of consequences that follow. As we promised we will give you an insider look at the pros and cons of living in San Francisco from a locals perspective.
Con #1: Cost of Living in San Francisco
When we talk about San Francisco, one thing that is commonly shared among all resources you will find is the ultra expensive cost of living. Why ultra?
According to data San Francisco is 79% higher than the national average. This makes it a tough call for anyone looking to move here. The biggest contributor to this number is the cost of real estate which has skyrocketed because of the booming job market.
If you’re looking to move in the bay area, expect to pay at least $2500 for a studio apartment. Other living expenses in San Francisco include utilities, 42% higher than national average , healthcare 24% higher, transport 34% higher, goods and services 19% higher and lastly food 23% higher.
Con #2: Homelessness
The extremely high cost of living leads to a domino effect, leaving even those with jobs struggling to afford housing. Homelessness has been a persistent issue in San Francisco since the late 1980s, and while the city has attempted to address this problem, success has been elusive. Despite the recent decline in real estate prices making rents somewhat more affordable, the city continues to grapple with homelessness.
San Francisco sets the bar high when it comes to homelessness, often ranking on the top cities with the highest share of homeless people.
Con #3: Weather
The fog drifting over the Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic sight in San Francisco, but that cool, misty weather isn’t for everyone. While some people enjoy the atmospheric vibe, others might prefer more sunny days.
Summer temperatures usually stay in the low 70s Fahrenheit (around 21 degrees Celsius), and the chilly evenings can have you grabbing a jacket, even in July and August. This unique climate can be a nice change, but it’s essential to be ready for unexpected weather and to dress in layers for comfort throughout the year.
Con #4: Taxes, As High As Our Hills
California has some of the highest taxes in the country, with income tax rates reaching up to 13.3%. Many of my coworkers were taken aback when they saw their first paycheck and realized how significantly taxes reduced their take-home pay.
To avoid facing a similar surprise, you can use this helpful calculator to estimate your potential tax rate before making the move to San Francisco.
Con #5: There Are a Lots of Hills
San Francisco is known for its steep hills, which can leave you breathless after a walk or bike ride, especially if you’re not used to the constant elevation changes. While cable cars and some buses can handle the steeper slopes, getting around the city on foot often requires good physical fitness. For those with mobility challenges, the hilly landscape can pose a significant barrier.
Planning To Move Here? Now, Soon, Later?
If you’re reading this it means that you’re likely considering moving here either from another state or a neighboring city! We’re here to tell you moving to San Francisco has always been the best choice for anyone we have moved in and out of here!
Living in a major metro city can definitely help you grow and experience new things – and truth be told, most people who move here are only here for a certain period of time before taking on with their lives and moving to a place with more affordable housing or less taxes! So, to address the big question – is San Francisco a good place to live?
Yes – San Francisco is an amazing city for anyone looking to build more connections, wealth, a better career while enjoying some of the most breathtaking nature the west coast has to offer. It comes at a cost so make sure you weigh your pros and cons of moving in San Francisco well and make sure to contact Royalty Moving & Storage for all moving needs here. We’re the most trusted moving company in San Francisco and we will ease your moving process.
