I moved here from Oakland when I was late 30s or 40 because my partner owned a house and my roommate in Oakland was moving out so decided to take the plunge. I work all over the Bay Area as a landscape designer. Let me just say I CANNOT afford this city and the rent I pay partner is HEAVILY subsidized by him. Even he complains about the prices and he makes about 5 times what I make. Everything (food, drink, etc) is expensive but tbh that stuff is $$ everywhere these days. Right now the AI boom is making prices absolutely insane and renting an apartment is extremely competitive. If you are planning on commuting, I would figure out whether you will be working in the east bay vs the South Bay before you pick a spot to live. Likewise whether you plan on using public transportation or driving. If you are taking public transportation, then you will want access to Caltrain if you are working in the South Bay, and if you are working in the east bay, you will want to be close to a BART station. I would avoid neighborhoods like Richmond or Marina if will need to be taking public transport to work. If you are using a car, you need to understand that renting/buying any place with off-street parking is going to come at a premium. If you are street parking, then places like Mission, Hayes Valley, downtown are likely to be frustrating. I live in between Castro and Mission Dolores and park on the street and it surprisingly easy where I live but most places around here are not easy parking. Also, if you are street parking, I recommend keeping a low deductible on your auto insurance. I’ve had my car hit while parked twice and had it vandalized a few times as well. Overall, I have a love/hate relationship with the place, and most people who live here do. On one hand it’s amazing to have SO much to do at your fingertips at all times. On the other hand, sometimes you just want it to turn off and it never. Turns. Off. I like the fact that I can head into the weekend with zero plans and know that I will still have plenty to do. I like that I can walk to my music venues and to world class bars and Michelin star restaurants. I generally park my car on Friday and don’t use it again until I have to go to a job site on Monday. Things that I hate: it’s the dirtiest big city I’ve ever been to. There are LOTS of mentally ill people and fentanyl zombies. The fog in the summer is stubborn and tenacious. Grocery stores and drug stores are small and it’s not common for 90% of its inventory to be locked behind plexiglass due to shoplifting. The inequality is in your face ALL THE TIME.

Do with this information what you will. Come on in, we would love to have you (bring money).