San Francisco City Guide

San Francisco is known for its hilly geography, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and colorful Victorian houses. It's also known for its weather. The famous quip that “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" has been misattributed to the writer Mark Twain but can still prove shockingly true. That just makes San Franciscans cherish warm, sunny weather all the more and on a nice weekend the parks will be flooded with people soaking up the rays.

Despite a long history, it sometimes feels like you’re living on the edge of the future here thanks to the tech industry's dominance of the the employment scene. Things move quickly and someone is always telling you about an app they heard of that will disrupt some staid business and revolutionize the world. It can feel alternatively very exciting and very ridiculous.

The tech migration to SF is a real thing. The culture (and class) distinction between tech workers and non-tech workers can feel like a big gulf at times. People will often tell you that all the culture SF is known for has migrated to East Bay, but this is an ongoing debate.

Neighborhood boundaries are contentious and ever evolving, often due to realtors attempting to make areas more desirable, such as the “Tendernob,” which combines the fancier Nob HIll neighborhood with the infamously sketchy Tenderloin in order to make it marketable. Watch out! Do research on where housing is located in neighborhoods. Some can go from chic to sketchy in a couple of blocks. One thing that is consistent across the city, however, are home prices: this is now the most expensive city in the United States.

Regardless of its challenges, San Francisco is a place that instills deep loyalty in long-time residents. Many say they can't imagine living anywhere else. From the diversity in its people, foods, and neighborhoods to the beautiful day trips around the city, there's a lot to love here.

Read on to learn about the basics (housing, transportation, internet, and more!) of moving to San Francisco and to find the perfect neighborhood for you.