San Francisco, situated in Northern California, is a hub of business, commerce, and culture. While the major metro area sprawls on for miles on end, San Francisco proper is a tiny city by land size – just under 49 square miles. Despite its compactness, there’s a lot of greatness packed into this pint-sized, forward-thinking city. Though it was originally settled around the same time America won its independence, it wasn’t until 1849, at the height of the gold rush, that San Francisco saw its first spurt of rapid growth. The influx of new residents seeking fortune in the California hills catapulted the city of San Francisco forward. These new crowds attracted enterprising businessmen, who started banks (Wells Fargo), dry goods businesses (Levi’s), and even chocolate factories (Ghirardelli). Though the gold rush was eventually abandoned, what it left behind was a burgeoning city full of enterprise, hope, and progressive thinking. Today, San Francisco, the 14th largest city in the country, is a thriving urban area with just over 840,000 residents.
In a report recently released by U.S. New & World Report, San Fran was just ranked as the 16th best place to live in the U.S. in 2017. On Frisco’s official scorecard, it was given high marks in the categories of “desirability” and “job market”, but received a lower score in the categories of “quality of life” and “value”. So, what is it really like to live here? Our friends at Great Guys Moving Company have put together the following infographic with some of the nitty gritty facts about life in the City by the Bay. If you’re considering moving here, these are some of the things you need to know before you pack up that moving truck and head west. For instance, the data jives with the U.S. News report; San Francisco’s high-tech job market is booming. The unemployment rate is nearly 33% lower than it is across the rest of the country (3.5% versus 5.2%), and on average, paychecks are much bigger! On the flip side, San Francisco isn’t much of a “value” city, meaning it costs a lot to live here. Almost everything, except for wine (thanks Napa!), is more expensive here than it is elsewhere. And as the 2nd most population-dense city in the country after NYC, San Francisco has sky high real estate prices. The competitive real estate market is certainly impetus for working with an experienced San Francisco realtor.
As with any city, living in San Francisco does have its downsides, but overall, it’s an energizing city full of interesting people and packed with cultural landmarks. After all, where else can you ride a cable car just for the fun of it, soak up the views of the Golden Gate on a crisp, clear morning, or stroll through the largest Chinatown outside of Asia? Spend one week here, and you’ll see why it’s such a magical place to live. When you’re ready to move here, let the Living 415 team help you find the perfect place to call home! Whether you’re looking for an Italianate mansion in Noe Valley or a chic condo in Union Square, there’s sure to be a great place waiting for you.
