Moving San Francisco
A Guide

Moving to San Francisco – A Guide

If you’re thinking of moving to San Francisco, you are in for an adventure. A world-class city, San Francisco offers its residents the ultimate blend of opportunity, ambience, and cultural diversity. Jobs are relatively abundant in San Francisco and the climate is mild and pleasant year-round. The city’s vibrant neighborhoods each offer something unique.

Moving to San Francisco is a significant decision that requires plenty of research and preparation. You have to decide which neighborhood you’d like to live in, where you are going to work, and which moving company you will hire. The cost of living in the Bay Area is notoriously high so you’ll want to be sure that you’re financially prepared before moving to San Francisco.

Jobs in San Francisco

When moving to San Francisco, it’s essential to find a job right off the bat unless you are coming because your job has brought you here. The job market in San Francisco is vibrant but it has lost some of its luster since the dot com bubble burst. Prior to your arrival, it’s advisable to do research and set up interviews for jobs in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. There are several employment agencies in San Francisco that can help set you up with a job. Some deal solely with temporary employment while others can set you up with both temporary and permanent jobs. To get the job hunt started prior to moving to San Francisco, fax a cover letter and resume to some of the top employment agencies such as Career Alliance, APN Software Resources, and East Ridge Group.

Finding a Place to Live

In order to find a place to live upon moving to San Francisco, check out services such as CitiApartments, Metrorent, and Rent Tech to help you find an apartment or shared rental. Your budget will likely be a prominent deciding factor when choosing a neighborhood to live in but you should also consider the safety, convenience, and culture of each neighborhood. The atmosphere of San Francisco drastically changes from one neighborhood to the next. For example, Richmond and Sunset are perfect for families moving to San Francisco. However, commutes to the center of the city from these neighborhoods are long. Castro is a neighborhood with a vibrant gay culture while Haight is an alternative area where many hippies live. Safety can sometimes be an issue in Haight. Chinatown is a crowded, bustling area that is the center of Asian culture in San Francisco. South of Market (SOMA) is a trendy area near downtown San Francisco. Commutes are short from SOMA and the nightlife is great. Bayview, Ingleside, and Hunter’s Point are crime-ridden areas that are not recommended if you are moving to San Francisco.

Moving Companies in San Francisco

When you are moving to San Francisco, it’s essential to find a moving company that has experience moving people to, from, and within San Francisco. There are many obstacles to moving that are unique to San Francisco such as the abundance of hills and busy, one-way streets. You’ll probably want to avoid renting a truck and trying to move yourself since navigating the hilly streets of San Francisco can be a great hassle. Find a moving company to assist you in order to plan a stress-free move.

There are several factors you ought to consider when hiring a mover in San Francisco such as the mover’s reputation, cost, and level of customer service. Read reviews from past customers to learn the reputation of a mover and find out if they charge a flat fee or hourly rate for moving services. Determine how far in advance you must book with a moving company and what their hours of operation are. Make sure you hire a company that is licensed and insured and that their staff is trained and professional.

In conclusion, moving to San Francisco is an exciting decision. San Francisco offers loads of exciting activities and opportunities for its residents. To ensure that your transition to the Golden Gate City is a smooth one, plan ahead. Search for a great job, a neighborhood you feel comfortable living in, and a reliable moving company that will help you ease into your new life in this gorgeous city.