15 Things You Should Know Before Moving To San Francisco

15 Things You Should Know Before Moving To San Francisco

If you are thinking about making a big move to a part of the country or the world that you’ve never been to before, it can be quite difficult to figure out what that place is really like. With San Francisco, it is easy to watch movies or read books about this city but the truth of the matter is that very few people actually know what it means to live here. Movies film here and then leave without actually get to know the culture of the people, what we care about, what amenities are offered, and what it is really like to set down roots here.

If you are thinking about making the move, here are fifteen things you absolutely have to know about San Francisco:

1. We NEVER call it “San Fran,” “Frisco,” or any other cutesy names that people like to say to us. We either called it San Francisco or The City – which can get confusing because “The City” means any big city across the country.
2. The City itself is actually quite small with less than a million people living here. Sure more people commute for work and cultural activities, but a lot of people live to the south of San Francisco. There is a bit of a housing shortage right now because more people are trying to move here and space is at a premium.
3. This means to live here, you are going to have to pay rent that is higher than almost anywhere else in the country. It is difficult to find an apartment because there is so much competition. Don’t expect to come here, live in an Air BNB for a few months, and find an apartment on your own. You are going to need some serious help from professionals who know everything you need to find a good apartment (resumes, write-ups, a checkbook, a rental history, and pay stubs from your current job) and where to even look.
4. The summer in San Francisco is a little “off” from the rest of the country. In fact, it goes from about mid-August through late October. For most people, the summer will also bring a lot of fog for most of the day. If you are looking for “sun on the West Coast,” you won’t find it here unless you know which neighborhoods to look in.
5. Most people don’t hate the fog. It really does grow on you and you start to love it. It keeps you cool and it makes for some really great photos once you get the hang of it – make all your hometown friends on Instagram jealous.
6. Some people will tell you to look for a condo or apartment in the Mission “because it is totally just like Brooklyn.” This isn’t true either, really. If you want that kind of feel (and that price tag) you have to cross the Bay Bridge to find it.
7. Some of us really are old time hippies, and you are just going to have to accept that. Most people don’t look and stare as they walk by – you’ll get used to it too.
8. San Francisco is changing very quickly because of the tech boom. The people associated with tech are flocking here, making a lot of the stores, restaurants, and even bars cater to them. You’ll see a lot of tech and a lot of people who are way smarter than you can ever imagine being. With that said, some people hate the change and will badmouth it now, but you have to make that decision for yourself.
9. People who live here will defend it to the ends of the earth. However, this isn’t a place where you can live and still badmouth to your work friends. There is an extreme amount of pride in being a San Franciscan.
10. There is a lot to do here, and you won’t be able to do it all thanks to the hordes of tourists. If you are bored, it is because you don’t want to go out and explore. Living here will really change your perspective on a lot of things, especially if you’re open to it.
11. Still, if you are here, we expect you to become a fan of the Giants. You have to go to AT&T Park at least once year just to see them play.
12. If you really do get bored with The City, there are plenty of places that you can go for the weekend with very little trouble. Some of our favorite choices include Big Sur, Napa, Tahoe, and even LA if you are feeling adventurous.
13. There are A LOT of conferences here that flood the city. It makes it a little difficult for parents and family to get hotels at a moment’s notice, so try to find a house or an apartment that has a lot of floor space for an air mattress.
14. There are a lot of homeless people here and they really like to talk to you. It can be a bit disconcerting at first, but you’ll get used to it.
15. If you don’t like to drive, it isn’t absolutely necessary that you have a car. You can Uber, walk, or take public transportation for most of the places you’ll need to go, depending on your housing situation.

When thinking about living in San Francisco, you have to take a lot into consideration. For someone to bounce your ideas off of, express your concerns to, and help you find a place that will be perfect for you to live in San Francisco. Make sure to contact a real estate professional who can help you find your perfect neighborhood.