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Thinking of moving to San Francisco

Lysis

Lysis

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
31,644
Location
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
First, I hope this is an ok forum! I have some questions, and SO is where I thought it should go!

A background: I have been thinking about moving to San Francisco since Google flew me out there last year. I spent most of my time in Mountain View on their campus, but what I did see from the people and area, I am intrigued. I am a Floridian, born and raised and was thinking about a new start in a tech area, and of course San Fran is all about tech!

Second, I have a friend out there who is asking me to move. He is the best friend of my ex-BF who passed away. We have a pretty close online friendship from what happened. He was the one I called first when the cop called me about my ex-BF. I mention this because it's not that I'm looking to move for a guy. This is just a friend who told me I could go down there for a couple of weeks and crash while I saw the sights and looked at possible jobs. However, I was thinking about it wayyyy before we started talking again.

OK, so the meat of my post: I'm curious to hear from people who are experienced with packing up and moving across country. Dos and donts, and maybe some tips from San Francisco people. I own my home, but I hear it is wayyy to expensive out there? I saw prices for rentals, and holy shit it's expensive compared to here. My friend said I'll be making six figure easy. He is a coder as well, so I have a lot of info about tech jobs out there.

Some questions:

1) How much is a decent salary there to live comfortably?
2) Is it true you don't need a car?
3) What is the commute like to work (like how long does it take?)
4) Tips for someone who wants to live in the smallest house in the nicest community? LOL How much are we talkin' here? My friend lives in a nice area, but I forget how much he said he pays. I'm looking for 2/2 but a 3/2 would be much better.
5) Any general advice for someone who is moving into a new city?
 
You're more than fine here with this if you're comfortable with that. In the past, similar threads have also gotten moved to the regional forums (North & South American Social & Drug Discussion). If per chance you want some input from there eventually, just let one of us know and we would be happy to move it over.
 
I was going to say that unless you have a tech job you'll be struggling to live in SF, but you've already got that covered. I've never even been to SF but I live on the west coast and have considered moving there. It's high density living with more competition for places to live, so you'll pay more for less especially as you get closer to downtown. I have a friend who lives over the bridge in Prescott and claims it's better than trying to cram into SF proper.

As for moving across country, I've done it 4 times. If you have the cash to fly back and forth, I highly recommend securing a place to live before you relocate. Maybe your friend could handle that part. I once took an apartment based on the ad and the landlord's explanation, and when I arrived the place was a dump that was falling apart. It's good that you have someone local who can investigate.

Your stuff itself... pare it down as much as possible. Be relentless about throwing out crap you no longer have use for, and try not to be too sentimental. You're going to buy more crap wherever you end up so might as well make room before you have to drive it cross country. Give yourself plenty of time to pack things carefully so they are protected. On my second cross-country move my truck got hit by another vehicle and some irreplaceable stuff got broken because I didn't pack it right. On that note: insurance!

Try to have backup pit stops along your route especially if you know people there. If you get too tired to drive, the weather is shitty, or something frustrating is happening you can stop to chill out for a bit or get help. One time I got sleepy because I was driving through the night but because I did research I knew about an upcoming town I could rest at that had a cheap motel.
 
Lysis said:
1) How much is a decent salary there to live comfortably?
Click to expand...
if you are making 6 figures, you should be fine. what do you plan to do about a place to stay? flat share? one bedroom? check out craisglist.org - the de facto standard for finding housing in the bay area. a room in a 2 or 3 person shared house in a half-decent 'hood will be around $1000pm.
Lysis said:
2) Is it true you don't need a car?
Click to expand...
are you planning to commute to google in mountain view? you could get caltrain to mountain view where, i expect, google has a shuttle bus.
Lysis said:
3) What is the commute like to work (like how long does it take?)
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i used to commute to redwood city from the haight and it would take me around 30-45 minutes each way, depending on traffic. if you drive to google, i would expect it to take you around 45 minutes to an hour.
Lysis said:
4) Tips for someone who wants to live in the smallest house in the nicest community? LOL How much are we talkin' here? My friend lives in a nice area, but I forget how much he said he pays. I'm looking for 2/2 but a 3/2 would be much better.
Click to expand...
again, check out rents and 'hoods on craigslist.
Lysis said:
5) Any general advice for someone who is moving into a new city?
Click to expand...
it's always sunny in the mission :)

alasdair
 
Thank you guys for the help! This is a very preliminary idea on my part, and I've gone back and forth between "I'm doing it!" and "Oh shit...I'm so comfy here" LOL One reason I'm thinking San Fran is because I already know someone and it has the beach. I'm not sure I can give up the beach, so where I go needs a beach.

To answer alasdairm, I don't want to share a place. I want to live on my own. I have a dog, too, so it has to be a dog-friendly place. The only thing that really makes me hesitant is that I was looking at places within walking distance to Google, and it was $3700 for a 3 bedroom...rental! lol That is a lot compared to here. That is pretty much double what I pay for a 2/2 here, but looking at the salary range for what I would make, it's not twice the income. lol So, that is why I am asking about salary. Google does have a shuttle bus from the area where my friend lives. He is director of mobile computing at some tech company, so I'm pretty sure he's making a really good salary and likely more than I would make. I'm not a mobile developer or I'd hit him up for a job. :D

I plan to spend a couple weeks out there hanging out and seeing what is out there. I really liked it out there, and it's been nagging at me to do it.

be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
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lol I'm girly but not THAT girly. :D
 
Lysis said:
San Fran
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rule #1. don't call it "san fran". :)
Lysis said:
To answer alasdairm, I don't want to share a place. I want to live on my own. I have a dog, too, so it has to be a dog-friendly place.
Click to expand...
a one bedroom in the city, in a half decent neighbourhood, that is pet-friendly might cost you $2000pm.
Lysis said:
The only thing that really makes me hesitant is that I was looking at places within walking distance to Google
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but then you have to live within walking distance of google... :)
Lysis said:
I plan to spend a couple weeks out there hanging out and seeing what is out there. I really liked it out there, and it's been nagging at me to do it.
Click to expand...
that's a plan. good luck.

alasdair
 
it really is an awesome city. and great area of the country in general.

if i could live anywhere in the world, it'd probably be santa cruz.

good luck, lysis.
 
(!!!) (Girl, I so owe you a PM but let me get to this first - I'm excited for you!)

I did do this exact same thing 9 years ago. I've been further north awhile now for a good chunk of the year and words are inadequate to describe the homesickness I feel. I'll be back next year for good if all goes to plan, though.

My first bit of advice would be expect even everyday goods/meals out to cost at least 25% more than you'd expect at your upper limit. Alasdair's estimate is about right for rent in the city. If you're working in the valley or on the peninsula, it is a LITTLE less but not much. The cost of living is, well, higher than Ft. Lauderdale (and even FTL isn't cheap). So, tack on the savings where you can.

The major tech companies all have shuttles.

It is wonderfully easy to meet people IME.

The beach is VERY COLD compared to what you are used to but lovely in its own way. The weather was an adjustment but not as much of an adjustment as I had thought it would be (SF ---> Portland was worse).

I was younger (23) when I moved and probably my biggest logistical regret is that I didn't drive from Florida. I sold my car in part to pay for my move. No, you don't need a car in SF and you can expect to pay a lot extra to garage it if you live in a place without parking. I had parking when I lived near the Oracle facility and when I lived by the beach (outer Sunset) but not when I moved to Nob Hill and eventually Berkeley. I had an easy time on the bus and train though, and an 8 minute walk to work. Other neighborhoods I like in which I haven't lived: the Marina (yuppie jokes aside, it's nice), the Upper Haight, and of course the Mission.

I think SF is the greatest city in the world and that this would be a fantastic adventure for you. I was a PA for 2 real estate agents for a few months until I found a job in my field. I learned my way around, met people, and once I got over the sticker shock I learned to love it. I had been many times as my family is largely based out of the Bay Area. Please do visit!
 
you want a 3br apt for yourself? that's pretty much unheard of in cities like sf and nyc.... unless you're making a ridiculous amount of money.
 
chrissie said:
you want a 3br apt for yourself? that's pretty much unheard of in cities like sf and nyc.... unless you're making a ridiculous amount of money.
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even if you are pulling in a massive salary, renting a three bedroom place seems stupid. at that rate, you can afford to purchase your own place for that amount of space.
 
I live in sf.


Some questions:

1) How much is a decent salary there to live comfortably?
If you dont have kids you can be happy w 60k+

2) Is it true you don't need a car?
Yes, but it's nice to know someone with one or use zip car. I have a scooter. Muni can be nice depending on where you live (I think it's dirty and sometimes sketch)

3) What is the commute like to work (like how long does it take?)
If you work for google there is a free shuttle (g bus) w wifi.


4) Tips for someone who wants to live in the smallest house in the nicest community? LOL How much are we talkin' here? My friend lives in a nice area, but I forget how much he said he pays. I'm looking for 2/2 but a 3/2 would be much better.
You have to visit. Each neighborhood has its own personality.

5) Any general advice for someone who is moving into a new city?
SF is a very young and fun city. Tons of events all year. Best city in the country IMO. Go out & meet people!
 
Lysis said:
1) How much is a decent salary there to live comfortably?
2) Is it true you don't need a car?
3) What is the commute like to work (like how long does it take?)
4) Tips for someone who wants to live in the smallest house in the nicest community? LOL How much are we talkin' here? My friend lives in a nice area, but I forget how much he said he pays. I'm looking for 2/2 but a 3/2 would be much better.
5) Any general advice for someone who is moving into a new city?
Click to expand...

1) It depends on what you do for a living.
2) I live in Los Angeles, and I don't need a car. I can't see how you would need a car to live in San Francisco.
3) I walk to work and it doesn't even take me 15 minutes.
4) Property in the bay area is going to cost a lot of money, you would be better off moving to Los Angeles, unless you have a ton of money.
5) Make sure you bring your state ID, and birth certificate or social security card, so you can get a Californian driver's license - at which point you'll be ready to sign up for a medical marijuana certificate. %)
 
Lysis said:
One reason I'm thinking San Fran is because I already know someone and it has the beach. I'm not sure I can give up the beach, so where I go needs a beach.
Click to expand...

I lived in FL for 7 years, been here in the bay area for 6+ and there is no comparison to FL when it comes to beaches. Unless, you dont mind wearing your cold weather clothes to the beach even in summer. Culturally this is not a bad place if you have patience for the multitude of poor drivers and traffic to get somewhere and enjoy it. SoCal is likely better but one thing you will realize is the cost to live in 'Cali' is not worth it, not ever.
 
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It's going to cost a shit ton of money to live out there. I want to say "get the fuck out of South Florida." Just because it sucks. I plan to move real soon back to Michigan which is cold, hard to find jobs but cheaper to cover expenses. SF is super expensive yeah, but you can make a living and get by with less until you get the hang of it. Even if you end up in LA, better than stupid Florida.

Hey it was a little chilly tonight. What 68 degrees is chilly?? My son has never left this area. I told him, "You better get used to the cold weather" You go up north man you're going to freeze your ass off. I'm laughing because I remember absolute cold winters.
 
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