There are a lot of other things to know about moving to San Francisco, it’s true. Sure, the weather is excellent, and the beaches are beautiful, and the sunsets are amazing. However, before you move here, it’s always a good idea to know as many details as possible. That’s why we’ve collected those details for you below!
If you need storage space during your move, contact the storage experts of San Francisco. (Hint: that’s us!) Here at iStorage, we know everything there is to know about keeping your items safe in this seaside climate.
Things to Know About Moving to San Francisco
What you have to keep in mind when you move to San Fran is that it’s expensive. (So is the rest of California.) The expense, however, is offset by all of the top-notch amenities you’ll find here. That being said, the city gets a D for cost-of-living because, frankly, it isn’t cheap. If you can afford it, though, it’s one of California’s best cities and, indeed, the entire United States. As far as things to know about moving to San Francisco, know that you will need more money.
Things to Know About San Fransico: Housing
San Francisco takes a bit of a hit on the cost of housing. That’s one of the main reasons the cost-of-living is so high here. The city gets a C- grade, mainly for the ridiculously high median home value. It’s just under $1,100,000. compared to the national average of $218,000. That’s five times higher, which, for some, makes living here a tad more stressful. By the way, the cost of a San Fran home has more than doubled since the year 2000.
Moving to San Fransico: Job Market
Jobs is where San Fran fares much better, as there are plenty here. The city gets a B+ with plenty of jobs in many different industries. The median household income here is just over $112,000, which compares well to the national average of just under $63,000. Some of the biggest industries in San Francisco include:
- Professional, scientific, and technical services (24%)
- Accommodation and food services (9%)
- Healthcare (8.0%)
- Educational services (7%)
- Finance & Insurance (6%)
- Administrative & support services (4%)
- Waste management services (4%)
- Public administration (4%)
Things to Know About San Fransico: Schools
Indeed they are! The public school system gets an excellent A- grade, and private schools fare just as well. Lowell High School gets an A+, which is superb. In fact, there are almost 50 schools here (out of 127) that earn an A grade or higher! That’s great news if you have children and want to make sure they get an excellent education.
Things to Know About San Fransico: Crime
When it comes to crime and safety in San Francisco, we get a decent C+ rating. We’re are below the national average for all violent crimes except robbery. Property crimes are where we fare the worst. Burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft are all higher, leading to our just OK score. Indeed, theft is double the national average, so do take precautions when going out.
Moving to San Francisco: Things to Do
There are so many interesting, fun, exciting, and awe-inspiring things to do in San Francisco! From watching walruses on the pier to riding one of our world-famous cable cars, you’ll never get bored here! There’s so much to do, choosing an activity is the most challenging part! When it comes to things to know about moving to San Francisco, the activity opportunities are simply astounding here. Some of the best sights, sounds, and experiences in San Francisco include:
- Visiting Alcatraz Island
- Writing a cable car
- Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on foot
- Visiting the spectacular San Francisco Botanical Garden
- Marveling at the masterpieces in the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
- Seeing the entire city from Twin Peaks
- Watching wildlife on Pier 39
- Hiking in Presidio National Park
- Seeing San Francisco Bay from Fisherman’s Wharf
Brought to You By iStorage San Francisco
San Francisco has a little bit of good, and a little bit of bad, but what place doesn’t? If San Francisco is your dream city, a place where being weird is pretty much the standard, then you will find yourself right at home. If you find yourself needing storage space in San Francisco for your big move, contact us. We have 24/7 security video recording, keypad-controlled gate access, and units of just about every size.
The key to success with a move to San Francisco is to go into it with realistic expectations before you commit completely. Planning and organization will go a long way to ensure that your next great adventure is all that you want it to be.
This post was originally published on 6/13/2018. It was updated on 3/11/2021.