Thinking of a move to the Golden City? San Francisco offers much to its residents. For one thing, you have a city that distinguishes itself with its style. Many people have compared it as the closest thing to a European city within the United States. San Francisco’s architecture blends modern with Victorian-era architecture, but a search throughout the city will take you through the evolution of it. Every era in San Francisco sported a unique and identifiable look. The city transformed over the years from a grubby settlement to a diverse, cosmopolitan area.
Neighborhoods
San Francisco’s neighborhoods add to the diversity of this fun city to make up a colorful and ever-transitioning city with a deep focus on the future.
- Nob Hill – For those who want elegance and class, Nob Hill ranks as one of San Francisco’s classiest neighborhoods. The views of the city from Nob Hill only add to the charm of the area. The historic mansions, boutique hotels, and steep streets have come to characterize this location. Nob Hill whispers of class and privilege, and you can sense it in every part of this beautiful neighborhood. At the least, you may want to check it out.
- North Beach – Steeped deep in Italian heritage, North Beach draws the tourists and the locals alike for its retro-flavored bars and quaint coffee shops. You will live within walking distance of two other iconic neighborhoods like Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. The atmosphere throughout feels relaxed, and the locals call it, “Little Italy.” During the nighttime, this part of the city comes to life, but even daylight hours see a lot of activity. This neighborhood receives love for its character, unique buildings, and beauty.
- SoMa – Arguably the cultural mecca of San Francisco, SoMa holds the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. You can find a couple of different famous museums in SoMa, but if museums don’t get your heart to fluttering, perhaps the lively nightlife will. You have everything from trendy restaurants to hopping night clubs. Plenty of breathtaking views here will steal your heart away from the imagination of awe.
- The Mission – Featuring colorful Hispanic art venues, the Mission is the beating heart of Latino culture in San Francisco, and the many trendy restaurants here have that or a hipster vibe. You can eat at one of the old school taquerias or check out some gourmet ice cream here. The vibrant murals in the streets contribute to city life at its finest. Also, you get some spectacular views of downtown San Fran. Mission Dolores is the oldest surviving structure in all of San Francisco.
- Fisherman’s Wharf – Found on the northern waterfront, the busiest tourist spot in the city is Fisherman’s Wharf. You have many souvenir shops, and some stalls sell clam chowder and crab. You will also have the chance to try sourdough bread bowls because of how this pops up at nearly every corner. No visit to Fisherman’s Wharf can be considered complete without a visit to the famous chocolate shops. Chocolate lovers will be in heaven. You can also find ice cream here.
Industries
You have a couple of principal industries essential to San Francisco like food processing, textile products, aerospace, shipbuilding, and electronics. Any of these businesses will guarantee you a chance at raking in dollars. Tourism in San Francisco proves another industry worth checking out. If you had to rank some of the top companies in the Bay Area, they’d include Zillow, Salesforce, Stryker Corporation, Cisco, and Adobe. The top industries are the following:
- Electronics – Ever heard of Silicon Valley? You have some of the biggest tech companies based here, like Apple, Facebook, and Google. Because it sits at the heart of the tech revolution, San Francisco played a significant role.
- Food Processing – For the first half of the 20th century, the Bay Area listed as the world’s largest food processing center with canneries, bakeries, breweries, and cereal. To this day, it remains a big industry.
- Aerospace – You have 15 major aerospace companies in San Francisco. Most of the aerospace activity here centers in Sunnyvale, where you will find Lockheed Martin, NASA, and SSL.
- Textile Products – San Francisco takes a lot of interest in fashion, and you see many textile businesses here. The dress here is usually trendy but casual.
- Shipbuilding – You have 30 large and small shipyards in San Francisco, and the city even played a huge role in World War II. During this time, they became the largest shipbuilding center in the world.
San Francisco ranks as a large and prosperous city, but its reputation for beauty and prosperity precedes it. You won’t regret moving here. It sits in the heart of the tech revolution, and you have 82 billionaires living in this city. That should form a picture of how much wealth exists in this city. If you want an exciting sight, check out Billionaire’s Row from the top of Lyon’s street to Divisadero Street on Broadway Ave.
Cost of Living
To live in San Francisco, the cost of living won’t be cheap. You can buy a one-bedroom apartment here for $3,500 a month. Meanwhile, the cost of utilities averages $150 a month. Students and other people have often lowered the price by living together as roommates, and they share the living costs. For more info on living costs and the economy, check out this guide.
Real Estate Market
For long-term prospects, San Francisco makes a substantial investment, but you probably wouldn’t want to buy here if you sell it right away. Some housing experts believe the city sits in one of the riskiest housing bubbles in the nation, but if you want appreciation on your investment over the long term, you can’t go wrong in San Francisco.
San Francisco has a diverse culture in terms of arts, cuisine, music, festivals, and architecture. Evidence of the Mexican influence can be found everywhere because of its large Hispanic population and how the city was once a part of Mexico. Many exciting historical events have shaped San Francisco like the “Summer of Love” in 1967. Most people have praised San Francisco as a forward-thinking city with a rich and vibrant history, and you have tons of reasons to want to live here.