Making the decision to move to San Francisco is the easy part. Diverse and vibrant lifestyles, picturesque views like the Night time scenes, prolific economic opportunities – all these make the City by the Bay hard to resist among real estate buyers looking for the ideal West Coast home.
The tricky part is about knowing what to expect and how to prepare for the move. But don’t fret – Bernie and Mike Homes has your needs covered. Here are key pointers to keep you on the right track:
- Know which neighborhoods match your personality and lifestyle
One of the most exciting things about San Francisco is how diverse the communities are. Before shopping for a property, it pays to know what type of neighborhood and environment you’re eyeing for your day-to-day living, as well as which ones will best suit your needs or budget.
Here’s a quick overview to get you started:
- Mission District – if you want to blend in with a youthful, artsy crowd
- Noe Valley – ideal for the suburban family lifestyle
- Outer Sunset – for first-time home buyers
- Pacific Heights – the neighborhood of choice among the most affluent among San Francisco homeowners
- SOMA (South of Market) – the city’s startup capital
- You need to be financially ready for this city
When you consider buying a home in San Francisco, having money is an absolute must. It’s not just about sky-high real estate prices here; the cost of living also ranks at the top of nearly every country-wide list you’ll find these days. Dining at SF restaurants costs about 12% more, for example, while groceries here are 34% more expensive compared to Los Angeles.
This shouldn’t discourage you from moving to SF though. In fact, this lofty standard speaks volumes about the overall quality of living you’ll enjoy here. From dining to shopping, recreation, and everything in between, San Francisco living sets the bar.
- Be prepared for the crowd
With a population of more than 870,000, San Francisco has 18,600 people in each square mile of its 47-square-mile land area at any given time. And the city still continues to attract more new residents each year.
But don’t fret. This steady growth is cause for more excitement rather than concern.
San Francisco is a global melting pot, so moving here provides endless opportunities to interact with people from various cultures and backgrounds, discover exciting international cuisine and interesting traditions, and even learn a new language or two. You can also expect several cultural events and festivals around the corner throughout the year.
- Stretch those legs and lace up those sneakers
Worried that a big population means terrible rush hour traffic? Fortunately, the public transport system in San Francisco is extensive and reliable. Anchored by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Muni Metro rail and bus systems, the City by the Bay is a commuter-friendly locale.
There are healthy and eco-friendly alternatives you can use to spare yourself from enduring traffic jams on a daily basis. Cyclist-friendly roads and public bike-sharing systems make pedaling a fun way to get around the city. Walking works, too. After all, San Francisco is also one of the most walkable cities in the country.
Learn more about living in San Francisco from the trusted local real estate specialists at Bernie and Mike Homes. Get in touch with us today at 415.906.6000 or 415.308.4281.