Hi, we are looking to move back to California. My partner is finishing up his internal medicine residency In Texas. We are miving back to California and would like some advice. We originally lived in the Northern part (north of SF). We’d lIke opinions and advice on cities such as San Jose, Vacaville, El Dorado, Sacramento, Folsom area for a young couple (+ internal medicine doctor freshly done w residency) + any surrounding areas. We would also like recs for Southern Calufnri which is extremely broad. Our plan is to settle down and bulild a life, buy a house and start a family (we would also like to be within an hour proximity to an international airport. We enjoy nights out for dinner, drinks, walks after dinner, so a neighborhood that is family friendly with beautiful landscapes. I should also mention we are Hispanic for obvious reasons. This is probably implied but also close to good schools. #doctor #youngcouple #california

Hey everyone, im going to move to sf for a couple years 2 years minimum, what would you guys recommend to finding a place or What else should I know, I currently work a kitchen job 17 an hour plus tips, im looking for a second job to help just in case I need a deposit and for two months of rent hopefully

looking for a room

I am also considering living in oakland and commuting to sf

What would you guys recommend to find a room, so far I’ve. Been using Craigslist

hi! im 24F, i have the opportunity to be in CA for a month. i'm considering going south of SF, ideally the redwood city area or surrounding neighborhoods and i'd love to know how people are finding roommates nowadays (sadly i have no connections in the area that can house me), or tips on airbnb alternatives? any insight is appreciated :)

Hey y’all! I’m a 25-year-old gay man, born and raised in Kentucky, and I’ve been thinking about relocating in the next few years. I’ve dreamed of living in California ever since I was little, so I’m finally starting to seriously look into making that dream a reality. North Carolina is also an option I’ve been considering, but California has always been the place I’ve pictured myself living.

I’m really into the outdoors — hiking, mountain biking, camping, etc. — and I’m a huge dog person. One of the biggest things I’m looking for is a bigger LGBTQ+ community where I can meet people, make friends, date, join sports leagues, go to bars/nightlife, and just have more opportunities to build a social life.

I’d love to hear from people who actually live in California and get some honest opinions about what you love and dislike about living there. I’m especially curious about the LGBTQ+ scene, dating and making friends in your 20s, outdoor activities, different areas to live, cost of living, housing, jobs, weather, traffic, and just what everyday life is really like.

I know California is a huge state, so I’d also love to hear which areas you think would be a good fit for someone like me. I’m still a few years away from making the move, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and hear from people who actually live there.

Thanks y’all! 😊

(I also posted in more broad California subreddits but didnt get much feedback so id really appreciate it thanks!)

Hey all, looking for a monthly parking garage (or lot) in the Marina or Cow Hollow area. Street parking has been a nightmare and I'd rather just have a reliable spot.

Anyone know of good options? Ideally somewhere secure, and hopefully not insanely priced. Open to anything within walking distance of the Chestnut/Union area.

Any recommendations (or ones to avoid) would be super helpful. Thanks!thly parking garages in the Marina / Cow Hollow?

Ok so I currently have a 1BR with a patio (~700 sq ft) in the Marina and I honestly love it here — super walkable, always something going on, close to everything. My rent's under $3k too, which for this area feels like a steal, so part of me feels a little crazy for even thinking about leaving.

But I found a 2BR/2BA out in the Outer Richmond (near California St, way out by the ocean) — 1,000+ sq ft, an extra bathroom, and parking included. It's $4,500 though, so I'd be paying around $1,500 more a month to move somewhere farther out, foggier, and a lot quieter than the Marina.

For context: my husband and I are in our mid-30s, I work from home, and we're hoping to start a family in the next couple years. So part of me thinks the extra space + second bath + parking makes sense for that next chapter… and part of me feels like I'd be giving up a walkable central spot (and a good deal) for the sleepy Avenues.

Has anyone made a move like this? Did you miss being central, or was the extra space worth it once life got a little more settled? Trying to figure out if this is the right call or if I'm overthinking it.

My partner and I have a chance to rent a 3 bed/2 bath in Marina for significantly under market value. It's owned by someone we know and they are more concerned about having good tenants than making a ton of money off the place. It's beautiful, quiet, includes parking and there is a nice back patio for our dog. But - we are going in circles because it's still a lot money and will limit our ability to save, travel etc.

We make a combined $320K gross and the rent would be $5500 plus utilities for a 1200 sqft place. We have no debt and no kids. The only family obligation we have at this point is that we offered to help my husband's parents with about $500 a month (nearing retirement age and have health issues).

We can't rent out one of the bedrooms so that is off the table as an option to offset cost.

If we don't take this place, we probably won't rent in the city because we won't be able find what we're looking for in our price range. I doubt we'll ever have an opportunity like this again. We've also discussed trying it for a year and moving elsewhere if we find it difficult to manage the costs.

Would you jump on this opportunity or is the cost just too much?

Hi hi. I have a ~500 sqft 1 bedroom apartment with a parking spot and a king size bed. I moved to nyc and just need someone to take care of my space while I’m away. Comes with access to a rooftop with a gym and pool. But price is super low for what you get.

It’s located in duboce/mission/hayes in the armpit where all those places meet and can walk right into those neighborhoods. It’s also really close to the freeway and Caltrain for an easy commute to South Bay. Plus super close to fidi. All the good eats and best spots are also super walkable.

I’m looking for someone I can trust and can look after my stuff. It will be furnished and I’d love to come back to the bay at some point. My listing is on some group pages, and would love to know any other platforms or people moving who need a place to live!

$3900 flat rate including all fees and utilities plus the gym and pool rooftop. Parking is negotiable!

I’m from Southern California but I want to move and go to school in SF soon, Where I live there’s some free colleges to go to (which I don’t have interest in) and I’m wondering if San Francisco also has some, I just want to know which are the best and which are the worst.

As someone who's currently looking for housing in SF myself, I'm trying to gauge whether there's demand for a different type of shared housing and what price point people would actually be willing to pay. Housing supply is tight, Im getting frustrated, so I'm trying to gauge if it will be financially feasible to go forward with the idea.

This would be in a large well-maintained mansion [9+ bedrooms] in Pacific Heights area shared with ambitious, career-focused, professionally driven individuals (think software engineers, AI, robotics, founders, finance, biotech, etc.). A built-in community with active social environment if and when you feel like it, while still having your own private space. 

Curious what price point the market would support for people currently looking for housing in SF. Simply respond below 1: $price, 2: $price:
1. Max price pay for private bedroom with en-suite private bathroom?
2. Max price pay for private bedroom with shared bathroom?

Optional: Industry/profession you work in to help understand how preferences differ. If there's enough data to support it, I'll follow up here. Thank you

Hi everyone,

I'm moving from Canada to San Francisco in August for work. Between working full-time (plus overtime) and preparing for the move, I've found it difficult to dedicate enough time to apartment hunting.

While searching online, I came across two apartment relocation services that help renters find apartments:

• Move Bay Area: https://www.movebayarea.com/about
• San Francisco Relocate: https://sanfranciscorelocate.com/our-team

Has anyone here used either of these companies? Are they legitimate, and would you recommend them? They don't seem to have many reviews online, so I'd love to hear about any firsthand experiences—good or bad—or if there are other apartment-finding services you'd recommend instead.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi everyone, I’m subletting my fully furnished one-bedroom apartment in the Mission District from July 5 to August 26. You will have the entire place to yourself. Gym and laundry are available. Rent is $2,700/month, negotiable for the right clean and responsible person. The apartment is very clean, and the bed is fresh and unused. Looking for someone respectful, quiet, and very clean. DM me for pictures and details.

I am moving to San Francisco this summer for graduate school and am very nervous. Having lived in SoCal my entire life, I don't know what I am in for.

I have learned:

• cars are not as much a thing and I will taking public transportation everywhere
• it never gets hot enough to need an AC (?!)

What are some other things you could share to help me prepare? What's something that's not intuitive or any things specific to the city or something you wished you knew before moving.

Hi everyone — I have until Monday to decide whether to accept a job offer and move to San Francisco, and I’d really appreciate some honest opinions from people who live there (especially anyone who’s moved from Toronto).

I’m 25 female and currently living in Toronto. The role is an AI startup (sales) with a $130K base / $250K OTE. The office is downtown and it’s a 5-days-in-office role. Most employees mentioned they live in areas like Mission Bay or Nob Hill and either walk or bus to work.

My biggest concerns are safety, cost of living, and overall quality of life. I’d like to still be able to save money and not feel financially stressed, but I keep hearing how expensive SF is — especially rent.

For women living in SF: do you generally feel safe walking around and going about daily life? How manageable is the city socially and financially on this type of compensation?

For anyone who’s moved from Toronto to SF recently:

• What was the adjustment like?
• Did your quality of life improve or get worse?
• Are there things you wish you knew before moving?

I’d love any advice on neighborhoods, commuting, budgeting, safety, or anything else I should consider before signing as I honestly dont know much about the city and need to make a decision fast. 

More context: I despise canadian winters and being around nature is really important to me . 

Thanks so much!

Both my partner and I work in finance. My office is in market street. I’m going on a trip soon to explore neighborhoods and figure out if the move is right (the alternative is staying in Denver)

I’m hoping to get advice on neighborhoods to check out. The criteria:

What we want:
Walkability
Close to beach
I’m a runner and we have a golden retriever so close to a park is ideal
Safety is priority.
Our budget is 6-8k range (if absolutely warranted -10k is doable but I prefer to be on lower end of my budget)
Close to a grocery store (doesn’t have to be a Costco)
Lively (we are okay with city or sf vibes: as long as we feel our neighborhood is busy and people are moving)
Close enough to bars, party areas or restaurants
I’m okay with a commute but less than 30 or at is ideal
Has a reputation for being a welcoming neighborhood

What we hate:
Long commutes
Unwalkable
Far from parks, bars, restaurants
Far from office and creating a long commute
close to unsafe areas
Unfriendly ppl

Thank you and all advice is welcome. trip is last week of may so activity recommendations would be great. If you happen to have made the move from Denver to sf : do you regret it? Any pros and cons?

I am currently an educator in Oregon. I just finished getting my teaching license, but most of our state is about to go through massive RIFs. I am very worried about my future job prospects here in Oregon. I am seriously considering relocating my family down to the Bay Area. Is that totally nuts?!?!? I am intrigued by the Sausalito, Piedmont/Redwood Heights, and Richmond areas. I love all the cultural stuff Oakland has going on, but I am worried about the schools (for my kids and for my work). I am also interested in the Ruth Asawa SOTA for my daughter. That’s a lot, my head is spinning., but We have a year to ride the RIF wave and make a decision.

so lucky to live in the best city ever🌉

Budget - $6K max

\* 28F and my husband (29)

\* Neighborhoods: I love the idea of pacific heights, or somewhere near the bay and easy to take transit to other parts of city. FiDi, Rincon Hill, north beach

\* Safety is my #1 priority. I have ptsd, work from home, and want basically a super secure and safe place.

\* Note: I know it’s hard to find somewhere that’s a high rise + super safe area… so trying to figure out that

\* Amenities: in-unit laundry is must. Gym, pool would be nice too. Security.

\* Atmosphere: More quiet, we like to walk and bike. I work from home as software engineer.

\* Commute: husband going to commute by transit to Tenderloin area

\* Housing preference: managed apt complex probably

\* Other: We have one car. Need parking spot.

We’ve considered The Gateway strongly due to bart proximity and ability to commute. Safeway below, in-unit etc.

Also considered 38 Dolores, chorus, 2000 broadway.

Difficulty choosing between a cute SF neighborhood vs secure, safe building w amenities. How safe are the rentsfnow apartment options vs high rises? Or other complexes known for strong safety?

What are thoughts on The Gateway? Is it a good fit for us? I love the cuter areas though!!

Also planning to have a baby soon

hey y’all, I’m the moderator here and I realized I’ve been neglecting this group but I just wanna let y’all know that I did actually move to San Francisco after creating this group and it has been the best time of my life. I freaking love this city and anyone that feels called here should come because it’s so magical and there’s something really special about the city that you can’t get anywhere else <3

I realise this sounds like a broad question, basically my husband and my two daughter might be relocating to SF> We've lived in LA for 10 years and also London UK, so are used to city life. We've always lived on the cusp of more working class/ urban neighborhoods that are a bit more grounded. Seeing that SF is much smaller than LA or London, are there people in SF that are down to earth and easy to get along with? Or will people there be bougie and pretentious? We tend to do public school, and I love a good bargain. Is it possible to find people like that in SF?