If you’re thinking about moving to San Francisco, the first things you think about are probably the Golden Gate Bridge and steep streets. But this place is so much more than its landmarks. Find out all you need to know before moving to San Francisco, California.
We all have different reasons to move, especially across the world. We look for jobs, new opportunities, and a better quality of life. But is SF a good place to live? Our comprehensive guide will start at the beginning, with all you should prepare for coming to the US. But we will also dive into the urban area of SF itself and point out all the things you’ll come to love and appreciate after you move. It’s an open-minded place, full of chances and diversity, and it will provide you with a lot to talk about while you keep in touch with friends.
Where to Start When You Want to Move to SF
So, how to move abroad to settle in SF? Generally, before you start preparing the relocating checklist and investing in the overseas shipping service, keep in mind that those who seek to enter the US need a visa. Still, it is not a guarantee for entry into the country. The next step is to request permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector. There are two types of Visa documents needed to travel abroad and enter the US. Nonimmigrant visas will allow you to travel to the country only temporarily, and immigrant visas are for those who meet the requirements to travel to live permanently in the US.
The US Green Card and Application for Citizenship
Before you decide whether you want the storage service for a more extended period of time or you’ll get your belongings to the US once you’ve settled, you should consider the requirements for permanent residence or the Green Card. There are different eligibility categories, like Green Card through family reunification, employment, special immigrant, and others.
To be able to apply for citizenship, you must be at least 18 and have lived in the country for three to five years. Your residency must be continuous, and you should be able to write, read and speak basic English. You will be tested on your knowledge of history, government, and loyalty to the Constitution’s principles and take the Oath of Allegiance.
Experience the Neighborhoods and Choose One to Call Your Home
Whether you are relocating to another country for love or you’re planning to be living overseas in this famous US town on your own, you should figure out which part of it suits your preferences. From the suburbs to the urban core, there’s something for everyone:
- Fisherman’s Wharf is perhaps the most attractive tourist spot in this area. You can go to see sea lions at Pier 39 or catch a ferry to Alcatraz. While it’s not easy to find a place to stay there, it’s well worth visiting. The most prominent cuisine there is seafood, but you should also pay attention to Ghirardelli Square, where you can fill your needs for chocolate.
- North Beach is commonly known as Little Italy, and it’s full of fascinating history. Even today there’s a lot of Italian restaurants and cafes there that you can visit. Most of the residents there rent their homes (more than 80%,) and it has an A- score on Niche as a neighborhood fit for families.
- Dogpatch is a popular district among young professionals, along with Mission Bay. It was an industrial part of town, with warehouses and docks, which have been turned into apartments and condos.
- Located right off the freeway, Hayes Valley is a neighborhood that has undergone revitalization. While it hasn’t affected its diversity, it has a perfect mix of suburban and urban life.
- If you’re looking for a small-town vibe, Bernal Heights is the right neighborhood for you, so you don’t need to look any further. A lot of residents here own their homes, and there are a lot of families.
- Glen Park is a primarily residential neighborhood with a close to overall village feel, and if that’s what you’re looking for, invest in the packing service and find a home around here.
Searching for the proper district where you can settle will take some time, but there’s a place for everyone here. You just need to know where to look.
Get To Know the Costs of This Urban Core in the Bay Area
Let us be straight – the costs of living here are notoriously high. While the prices of groceries, transportation, and monthly expenses are close to the national average, housing is much more expensive than in any other place in the US. Some would say that it would be easier to overcome the culture shock than to avoid stress about the housing prices. But what salary do you need to live comfortably in San Francisco? The good news is that, even with the expenses being well above the average, you can expect to cover for them with a salary that’s also well above the average. The average monthly net salary after tax in the United States is around $3,500, while the average in SF is $7,700, according to Numbeo.
Should I Rent an Apartment or Buy a House in the City?
Why you shouldn’t move to San Francisco? When thinking about the downsides of relocating across the world to SF, most people have in mind are the housing prices. The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the center of the urban core is around $2,800, while the price, if you are willing to buy an apartment, is about $1,300 per square foot. But this place offers many advantages that compensate for it, like a lucrative job market. On top of that is the fact that the unemployment rate is lower than the national average by 1%, and it has been dropping ever so quickly.
The City’s Made an Important Step Towards Universal Healthcare
Although most of us wouldn’t stress ourselves about the healthcare system in cities when we plan to relocate, travel abroad during Covid-19 has made us rethink this. The city has a health access program called Healthy San Francisco, launched in 2007 for its uninsured residents. The objective of this program is to eventually bring universal healthcare to the city and its residents. It is not a true insurance program because it does not cover several services (dental and vision care) and covers only the benefits received in the city’s vicinity and the county. However, this program is funded by the federal government, the city through co-payments made by the patients and fees that the city’s imposed on local businesses which skip providing healthcare coverage for their workers.
A Few Things to Know if You’re Relocating With Kids or Planning to Study Here
Are you planning to move with kids to the Bay Area? The Unified School District has many schools, from elementary to various high schools, and almost 60,000 students. Besides the public school system, there’s a large number of private ones, with nearly half of them being religiously affiliated. If you’re looking to move to another country like the US to study, the Golden City offers several universities and colleges. And keep in mind that both Stanford University as well as Berkeley are not that far away.
You’ll Quickly Adapt to Its Carefree Atmosphere, but Also the Weather and the Language
You can say many things about SF. It is famous for its laid-back and casual lifestyle, and it’s been called both the snobbiest and happiest place in the US throughout the years. If you are relocating abroad alone, you should keep in mind that 39% of the city’s population is made out of singles, and it is a great place to meet others. If you plan to move with your furry companion, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a high number of amenities for pets like dog parks because the city has more dogs than kids.
Moving to San Francisco Advice – What to Expect When It Comes to Weather
The fact that the city’s lying between a cold ocean and a hot valley creates a unique climate in that area. Unlike other parts of California, the weather in SF doesn’t reach the blistering heights, all due to the steady airflow from the Pacific ocean. But this air current is the main culprit for the infamous fog, which tends to be present during the whole summer. Adjusting to a new country means that you’ll also have to adjust to living in a particular climate, and Golden City’s Gloom June and Fogust are a part of adjusting to the weather.
While the forecast will always recommend dressing in layers throughout the year, even during the winter months because of the mild temperatures, you may want to keep your umbrella near. Because there are about 24 inches of rain each year, and mainly between November and March, you will want to bring a raincoat while you pack when relocating abroad.
There’s More Than Just English Spoken Here
If you already speak English, you won’t need any tips for learning a new language. But by living here, you can break the language barrier in several languages. The national average of non-English speakers is around 22%, but SF has more than 42% of citizens who speak a non-English language. This means that it’s one of the cities rich in expat communities. The most common language spoken besides English is Chinese, and the second is Spanish.
From Cable Cars to Muni, It is Easy to Navigate Your Way Within the City’s Limits
Due to the city’s density, it is one of the places that has its problems with traffic jams, and this is something you should keep in mind when investing in overseas vehicle shipping. But even if you don’t want to part with the car once you’ve made up your mind about living here, you can still lean on public transportation. Many residents find the use of the metro and bus system known as Muni preferable because the stops can be located all around the city. You can easily access the routes by calling 511. The downtown has a streetcars and cable cars system, and the cable car lines are Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde, and California Street. Above all, many love the fact that this is one of the most walkable and bike-friendly cities in the US.
The Things You Can Do and See Here Are Plentiful
While your relocating abroad checklist consists of everything you should do for the relocation to run smoothly, the Golden City’s checklist includes famous landmarks. For such a small urban core (only 49 square miles,) it boasts many things to see and do. After you’ve walked over the Golden Gate Bridge and photographed it (it is one of the most photographed things on the planet, after all,) rode in a cable car, and visited the infamous Alcatraz, you haven’t even scratched the surface of this place.
San Francisco is a foodie’s paradise with everything else you can do for fun in your spare time. You can make no mistake if you decide to visit one of the neighborhoods popular for the dining options, because after all, knowing how to live in another country is to know all its dining spots. You get to enjoy Italian food in the North Beach neighborhood, while the Sunset and Richmond neighborhoods offer different Asian cuisines. If you still have no idea what to do once you’ve settled, the following video may give you some inspiration to go out and explore.
Is It Worth Moving to San Francisco? Hire an International Moving Company and Head on to the Golden City
There can be many reasons for relocating and shipping a car overseas to this place. Whether you wish to engage in learning a language abroad or you have been working in Europe as an American and you wish to come back, this city’s area has a lot to offer. It is a place that’s easy to love and where the road may take you if you wish to find an active community after moving abroad. It welcomes anyone open-mindedly, and you can find your place here, among many alternative subcultures and niche communities.
