Pros and Cons of Moving to San Francisco, CA

Today we’re covering a pretty popular city that is adored by many. And that city is San Francisco, California. 

I’m sure you think you know this place pretty well, but you’d be wrong. 

You see, there are many pros and cons to consider before moving to a place like San Francisco, and in this article, I plan to arm you with everything you need to know before moving. 

So let’s get started!

Con #5, Outrageous cost of living

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should know how expensive it is to live in California. 

But many people don’t really appreciate just how expensive the city is. 

Let’s start with the fact that it’s considered the most expensive city in America. 

And that’s not just due to housing expenses. No, everyday activities such as getting a haircut or grabbing a bite to eat are outrageously priced. 

So unless you’re in the will of a rich uncle who’s about to kick the bucket soon, you might want to reconsider the move. 

Con #4, Taxes

Oh, you thought we were done draining your wallet?

Or my poor naive friend. The bleeding of your bank account has just begun.

Because another reason why San Francisco is so expensive is due to the high amount of taxes. 

Listen, if Uncle Sam was a real person, he’d definitely live in San Francisco. Because income tax here is a whopping 13.3% while sales tax comes in at 7.25%.

So yea. If you can afford to live here I just have one question…are you looking to adopt a 31-year-old man any time soon?

Con #3, Wildfires

Now that we’ve talked about setting your wallet on fire, let’s change the subject to actual fires. 

Because if you live in San Francisco, wildfires will absolutely become part of your reality. 

It’s pretty much written in stone that wildfires will happen almost every summer here. Worst of all, there is no real solution in sight. 

So if you’d rather not live life like the Human Torch, definitely make sure you move to an area where this is less likely to occur. 

Con #2, Traffic

I bet you knew this was coming. 

Because traffic is one of the cons to living in California in general. 

And there’s pretty much no escaping it. But do you really know how bad of a problem this is?

Consider this. San Francisco residents lose an average of 97 hours per year to traffic. Yep, 97 hours. 

That’s roughly the amount of time it takes to learn sign language. Which is probably a good thing to do in traffic so you can keep your sanity. 

Con #1, Homelessness

And now for the worst con of all. 

Listen, California is a beautiful place. But it’s kind of hard to take in that beauty while also ignoring the pretty obvious homeless problem. 

It’s not uncommon to see large picturesque homes at one moment, and then a row of tents at the next. 

Worst of all, you’ll frequently find drug paraphernalia such as syringes on the ground. And there has yet to be a solution. 

Honestly, I don’t even have a joke for this bit. It’s just quite sad. 

But let’s switch things up a bit and focus on some of the pros of living in San Francisco. 

Pro #5, Beauty

Even though you might have to contend with the homeless problem. San Francisco still is a beautiful city. 

In fact, in 2019 it was named one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world. 

That’s probably why over 875,000 people call the city home. I mean, walking around the city feels like living in an Instagram photo. 

So if you appreciate beauty, this might be your new home. 

Pro #4, Diversity

With over 875,000 people who call the city home, it’s not surprising that this area is extremely diverse. 

So much so that San Francisco has been voted one of the top 15 most diverse cities in the country. 

You’ll find transplanted residents from all over the world in this concentrated space.

Even better, the residents here seem to have a pretty open mind about things. Making them very interesting company. 

I have a feeling why that is, and it has something to do with the #1 pro of living here, but you have to stick around to find out what that is. 

Pro #3, Things to do

If there’s one thing that San Francisco will never lack, it’s things to do. 

History buffs will be happy to learn that there are plenty of museums and historical sites located in the city. Included, but not limited to, Alcatraz.

But the historical significance is just the beginning.

You can also entertain yourself by enjoying the many parks and hiking trails in the area. For example, Golden gate park is the 3rd most visited park in the country and it’s even bigger than central park.

And if you’re looking for gorgeous views, just head to Marin Headlands, which has some of the best views in the city. 

Pro #2, Job opportunities

We’ve spoken about how expensive San Francisco is. But you’ll be happy to know that this is a city that also has plenty of job opportunities.

The Bay Area has one of the most booming economies in the country. And the main thing contributing to this boom is all of the tech jobs in the area. 

These types of jobs take up about 20% of the jobs in the city. And to say they pay well would be the understatement of the century. 

So if you’re interested in a career tech, there’s no better place for you. 

Ok, I’m about to share the #1 pro to moving to San Francisco. But before I do that, there’s some news I have to share. 

Here at Home and Money, we make the whole process of getting a home easier (even if you’re a first-time home buyer). 

We have a whole team that will connect you to the perfect agent so you can finally get that dream home. Plus, we’ll equip you with your very own personal concierge if you’re a first time home buyer–Which, if you’ve ever purchased a home, you know is a HUGE help considering how complicated the process can be

Best of all, this service is absolutely free!

Ok, now where were we. 

Pro #1, A place for millennials

Millennials make up an overwhelming majority of the population in San Francisco. 

The median age for this city is 38.2, making it the perfect place for young ppl looking to be surrounded by other young people. 

The benefit to this is it infuses the city with a very distinct energy. Newcomers to San Francisco will quickly notice the entrepreneurial spirit, optimism, and opportunity that’s so pervasive here.

Best of all, there are little to no children. Which is probably due to how expensive it is, but nevertheless, depending on your temperament, that could be all the reason you need to make the move. 

And there you have it!

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed learning about San Francisco as much as I enjoyed talking about it. 

Until next time!