San Francisco at a Glance
It may have a reputation, but the City has a lot going for it. San Francisco is a major hub in NorCal, and you’re not going to be bored out of your wits if you move out there. It’s an important city, and people from all around the world have heard of it – for better or for worse.
One of the first things people mention about San Francisco (aside from the bums, and maybe how their car got broken into last weekend) is the weather. It may be California, but the City gets foggy and cold every now and then. The upside? The whole city’s situated on the Bay, so the air stays clean and clear when it’s not grayed out.
When you move to San Francisco, you’ll have to get used to a few things. It’s expensive, and some of the locals take pride in how chaotic and outlandish their city has become. But with the right job (read: income), the right neighborhood, and the right frame of mind, there’s no better place on earth.
Why Move to San Francisco?
Everyone’s got their own excuse, but here are a few reasons you can throw around:
- People are leaving: Lots of people are buying up property in the City, but that doesn’t mean they’re actually living there. In fact, lots of people are leaving – which means it’s getting less crowded.
- The jobs pay well: If you want to survive in San Francisco, you’ve gotta work. Fortunately, you’re close to major tech companies (and those major tech paychecks.)
- The city’s still beautiful: If you’re able to see past all the trash, the City is still a beautiful place. It’s a diamond in the rough, and it’s just waiting for someone to come along and restore it to its former glory.
- There’s a lot of outdoorsy stuff: It may be a big city, but you’re not far from parks, hiking trails, and those jaw-dropping redwoods.
- The food scene’s great: As with any other overpriced city on the West Coast, you’re gonna find a ton of diverse food options. After you start racking up those Bay Area paychecks, you’ll be ready to splurge on good eating.
- It’s an international city: Speaking of diversity, San Francisco is a huge melting pot. There’s a ton of different cultures meeting here, and you can find your niche no problem.
- Some parts are still safe: Strange but true! Despite what you’ve read, there are plenty of neighborhoods in San Francisco that are still safe.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to San Francisco?
It’ll cost you between $500 and $15000 to move to San Francisco. It’s a pretty big window, but it all comes down to how far you’re moving, and the physical dimensions of your move. Besides, if you’re worried about the price, San Francisco probably isn’t the city for you.
| Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom |
| Local (Less than 100 Miles) | $550 – $700 | $850 – $1800 | $1300 – $5200 |
| 100 miles | $1300 – $1800 | $1650 – $2100 | $1500 – $3900 |
| 250 miles | $1400 – $2200 | $1800 – $3500 | $2,000 – $4800 |
| 750 miles | $1500 – $2900 | $2400 – $6900 | $5700 – $7900 |
| 1500 miles | $1700 – $3200 | $2900 – $7900 | $6700 – $9500 |
| 2500 miles+ | $1900 – $3700 | $4200 – $9200 | $15000+ |
Our Most Recommended Long Distance Movers in San Francisco
There’s thousands of moving companies to choose from, but we know who’s worth your time. Here are our top 3 San Francisco movers:
Native Van Lines
- Highly professional
- Affordable rates
Roadway Moving
- Easy quote system
- Discounts for students
Rockstar Pro Movers
- Great reputation
- Hourly rates
What Are the Pros and Cons of Moving to San Francisco?
Pros
- Beautiful city beneath all the grime and crime
- Diverse range of communities
- Surprising amount of outdoor activities
- Mild weather
- Professional opportunities abound
- Strong public transport
Cons
- Lots of grime and crime
- Homeless people of all shapes and sizes
- “Sidewalk camping” is an outdoor activity
- It gets pretty gray and cold
- You better like working in finance or tech
- Lots of road traffic
What's the Cost of living in San Francisco?
- Median home price: 1.2 million
- Average rent: $3,350
- Utilities: $300 per month
- Gas: $4.78 per gallon
- Food/Groceries: $360 per month
The median home price in San Francisco is a whopping 1.2 million, according to our friends at Zillow. Planning on renting? Be ready to pay about $3,350 every month. Look, we told you it was expensive like a hundred times already. Don’t get too surprised about this section.
You won’t find any relief when it comes to other monthly expenses, either. Utilities are $300 per month, according to RentCafe.
AAA reports San Francisco’s average gas prices are around $4.78 per gallon (but thankfully, you’ll be using BART). And the price of all that great food? Just around $360 per month.
Where are the Best Places to Live in San Francisco?
Yes, San Francisco is a little rough at the moment, but that just means the city’s waiting on its next renaissance. You want to be there when it happens, so in the meantime, you can live pretty comfortably in one of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco:
1. Cow Hollow
Probably the most expensive cow-named place in the United States. Victorian houses, tree-lined streets, a few blocks from the presidio (there’s also a place in the area called Billionaire’s Row, so that tells you a little something about the price).
2. Chinatown
Surprisingly flat for a hilly city like San Francisco. Chinatown is full of great restaurants, excellent shops, and also picturesque spots that are perfectly instagrammable. It’s also one of the City’s most popular tourist destinations.
3. Mission District
Lots of murals, lots of great food, and one time I saw a couple of cholos bumping cocaine here in broad daylight. Depending on how hard you want to party, this could be a good or bad thing. Mission may be a little more affordable, but only just.
4. Marina District
One of the most recognizable parts of San Francisco. Y’know that big romanesque rotunda/park/lagoon combination you’ve seen in movies? Yeah, it’s here. It’s also called the Palace of Fine Arts. It’s also usually safer than the rest of town.
5. Nob Hill
How do you find Nob Hill in an entire city made of hills? Easy: Just look for the price tag. Nob Hill is swanky. If you can afford it, this is the place to be. Huntington Park, art galleries, and more than a few Michelin-starred restaurants.
How’s the Job Market in San Francisco?
If you want to make it in San Francisco, you have to make San Francisco money. Fortunately, there’s a lot of work to do in the City, and there’s lots of companies that are willing to hire.
Due to its proximity to Silicon Valley, it should be no surprise that San Francisco has a pretty bustling tech scene. If you want to be overworked for a startup that is definitely gonna head to the moon this week, we swear, this is the place for you. And besides, all that startup experience is just going to help you get a job at a real tech company later.
Aside from the Patagonia vest crowd, San Francisco is a pretty major financial hub. There’s also a fair amount of manufacturing – and we mean manufacturing HUGE stuff, like shipbuilding and other heavy industries.
Look, it’s a big city, it’s world-famous, and it’s in California. You’re gonna find a job in any field you want. Just make sure you fight for a decent paycheck.
What is San Francisco Most Known For?
For all the trash we’ve been talking about, San Francisco actually has quite a lot to see. When you get out there, you certainly won’t be bored.
- Great public transport: People whine about how expensive parking can be, but that’s because they’re doing it wrong. San Francisco has great public transport. Hop on the BART, and you can go anywhere.
- Lots of sights to see: There’s a reason the whole world knows about the City’s problems. That’s because the whole world still wants to visit! The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Coit Tower, Alcatraz, the Legion of Honor – there’s a lifetime of sights to enjoy.
- Beautiful area: And if you want to get out of town, guess what? You’re still in California. That means unless you go straight to Fresno, you’re gonna find something worth seeing. The entire Bay Area is beautiful. Take a day trip and explore.
- Lots of outdoors activities: While you’re out adventuring, it’s easy to find yourself back in the great outdoors. San Francisco isn’t far from jaw-dropping redwood forests, serene beaches, and hiking, camping, and fresh air galore.
- Deep blue city in a deep blue state: San Francisco is also known for being one of the most progressive cities in the entire United States. To some, this may be a downside. To the locals, they love it. Why else would they stick to the same public policies?
What are the Best Schools and Universities in San Francisco?
If you’re looking for K-12 options, Mission San Jose High School is a great choice, as is Lowell High School. The San Francisco Unified School district has some excellent options all around, but where the City really shines is higher ed:
Berkeley. UCSF. CSU East Bay. Heck, even Stanford if you’re willing to commute that far. Say what you want about San Francisco (and California in general) but they know how to build a university. Just be prepared to pay a little extra for tuition – although if you’ve made it this far and you haven’t been scared off by the price, money is clearly not a problem for you.
If You’re Going to San Francisco…
You’ve seen the price tag. You’ve heard the horror stories. And yet… you’re still drawn to San Francisco. Maybe it’s the promise that the City will clean itself up soon. Or maybe it’s the California weather, the hiking in the redwoods, and the big opportunities from big tech. Whatever the case, now you’re ready to move to San Francisco.
But you can’t move alone! Moving day takes a lot of planning and prep, and Moving APT is just the team to help. Check out our moving cost calculator to get an exact quote, and let’s get started on your move together!
