What BestPlaces Users Say about San Francisco
San Francisco, California is a popular city known for its diverse culture, hilly landscapes, and booming tech industry. It is also known for its high cost of living, traffic congestion, and homelessness issues. Many people from different backgrounds and walks of life choose to call San Francisco home. Here are four excerpts from user reviews on the website Best Places, giving insight into what it's like to live in San Francisco.
1. "I've been living in San Francisco for over a decade and I have to say, it's an incredible place to call home. The city is vibrant and diverse, and there's always something to do. However, the cost of living is quite high and the traffic can be a nightmare. But overall, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. - Samantha H."
2. "I moved to San Francisco for a job opportunity and I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, the city is beautiful and there are so many amazing restaurants and activities. But on the other hand, the cost of living is outrageous and the homeless population is overwhelming. It's definitely not the easiest place to live, but there's a certain charm to it. - Marcus B."
3. "I've lived in San Francisco my entire life and I have to say, the city has changed drastically. It used to be a more affordable and welcoming place, but now it's dominated by tech companies and wealthy individuals. It's becoming increasingly difficult for the average person to afford living here. But I still have a deep love for this city and its culture. - Maria T."
4. "San Francisco is a dream city for those who love the outdoors. There are endless hiking trails, beautiful beaches, and stunning views. On the downside, the cost of living is incredibly high and the traffic is horrendous. But if you can afford it, it's a great place to live. - Jake M."
based on 149 ReviewsGet to know San Francisco with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited San Francisco
It's the little things that make a place unpleasan - 6/27/2013
You had me at crappy grocery stores. Then you said all the other heinous things I had noticed living in SF for a short time. Short, because I had to get the hell out before I lost what was left of my mind.
Jenny left out a few items. Ever notice how all the SF news does is report about the horrible crimes in Oakland? I had to hear through the grapevine about the murders in my neighborhood, a nice part of Potrero Hill, mind you. But oh no, there are no problems in SF, just Oakland.
Every day, there was a new pile of shattered glass on my street from a car having been broken into. One day it was mine. The incredible service and efficiency at the body shop was testimony to just how common (and accepted) this is. When you have 500 car window replacements a day, a shop gets really good at it.
I have lived in Austin, Texas, for all of my years, except for those few months in SF. The hipsters are ruining it here, too, and most of them came from, you guessed it, California.
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Jenny nailed it. - 6/27/2013
You had me at crappy grocery stores. Then you said all the other heinous things I had noticed living in SF for a short time. Short, because I had to get the hell out before I lost what was left of my mind.
Jenny left out a few items. Ever notice how all the SF news does is report about the horrible crimes in Oakland? I had to hear through the grapevine about the murders in my neighborhood, a nice part of Potrero Hill, mind you. But oh no, there are no problems in SF, just Oakland.
Every day, there was a new pile of shattered glass on my street from a car having been broken into. One day it was mine. The incredible service and efficiency at the body shop was testimony to just how common (and accepted) this is. When you have 500 car window replacements a day, a shop gets really good at it.
I have lived in Austin, Texas, for all of my years, except for those few months in SF. The hipsters are ruining it here, too, and most of them came from, you guessed it, California.
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My heart still in SF, but it aches - 1/2/2013
As an SF native and someone who has lived in SF most of my life, I totally concur with posted positives on character, architecture, beauty, diversity, parks, and the overall uniqueness. Also, SF is the most amazing, world-class restaurant town for quality at every price point. I offer to round out other facts. I no longer live in SF but was born, raised, and spent most of life there. Caution, the following is long.
First, SF public schools mostly suck (e.g., budget challenges, overcrowded classrooms, gangs) with the exception of Lowell and a few other high schools (from experience and from inside information). Lowell is a genuine standout as a magnet school with a national reputation and why it receives way more freshman applications than freshman class slots. BTW, UCSF is a graduate school that requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree. An unfortunate side effect of diversity is the well-documented-in-the-90's Balkanization of the high schools. SFUSD does have
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Great City - 1/1/2013
San Francisco is an amazing city full of diversity and connected to that, vibrant life and intelligence. It is beautiful too and we LOVE the hills! We love walking and hiking the hills of San Francisco. We do not see it as a dirty city, haha, just go to Italy, for example, and you will see dirty cities, although many are great anyway. San Francisco is spotless comparatively. We find that locals speak to us easily and offer help before being asked and when asked. We use common sense and never have problems with theft or violence there. We love the culture and vibrancy of the city, it truly feels alive. Note: The plentiful number of homeless is a downside as commented elsewhere. Are the homeless more visible in San Fran, rather than more numerous?-don't know. We wonder if it is because of the cost of housing, culture and generosity of public, drug addicts, or all those. We saw many sleeping tattered-clothed homeless around the civic center & courthouse during cold rain in
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Sadly Disappointed - 9/17/2012
I, like so many other naive college grads, thought it would be a good idea to leave my quaint little college town and tackle the excitement of San Francisco. And, like so many other naive college grads, I didn't last long, lost most of my money, and left feeling bitter and let down by the City by the Bay...
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about places and everyone has different experiences about cities, but my experience of San Francisco was so negative and so painful that I will gladly never set foot in that city again. To start with, unless you are in high tech or any other booming, high paying field, making ends meet is difficult. Even with the high minimum wage I was barely breaking even. And I was living in squalor. For so many (hipsters) living in squalor is cool, but for me it was just difficult and unpleasant. I paid $800 a month to live in the Sunset with loud neighbors and terrible fog. The buses were always late and almost always packed to the brim. I
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I love SF - 7/12/2012
Everyone says that san francisco is a filthy, horrible city filled with many homeless and every time you go out, you're going to get robbed. The reality: yes, san francisco has quite a few homeless people, but more often than not, they'll leave you alone. I have never felt threatened by a homeless person, and many major cities have many homeless. also, whine it is cold here, it's never hot, which to nd is a very good thing. When I go out , I'm normally In shorts, and so are a lot of people. The city also oozes character. From the classic looks of the victorian mansions in pacific heights, to the urban condos In potrero hill, theres all sorts of houses here. If you're into jogging and running, or any outdoor activities, this is an amazing place. Of course there are a lot of hills, but there are also a lot of flat parks. And speaking of parks, everyone forgot to mention the many parks here, including golden gate park, which is the largest metropolitan park I the U.S. So, there are lots
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Not a fan of San Francisco - 6/21/2012
I moved here for my husbands job relocation, never having visited here, (I wish I had). I think I'm now suffering from depression. I've traveled often and I have to say SF has the rudest people I've ever encountered, no social scene other than bars, hairy hippies, the worst drivers ever, (where are the traffic police to write tickets to these people??),and this homeless thing is just the worst. I'm counting down the days til we move in June 2013...that's if I don't abandon my husband and go home to wait it out. It's not bad on the eyes with all the parks and Victorian homes if you like that sort of thing.
There are numerous bars on every street, so if you are into a heavy bar scene, this place is the town for you. (I'd have to take up drinking to drown my sorrows if I stayed here too). If you love summers with sun-filled days on the beach, don't come here. While there are beaches, you can only go there in winter gear. The weather is always cloudy, windy and in
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Well rounded perspective from someone who's lived - 6/13/2012
A little about me so you can consider the source: I've been an airline pilot for 14 years and have lived in many cities. I also sleep in various other U.S. cities about 3 days a week, so I consider my perspective to be pretty informed from a comparison point. Also, keep in mind that I moved into Hayes Valley, witch if you research is considered one of the nicer neighborhoods.
Here's my honest opinion: If you like CONSTANTLY cold and windy weather (the delusional locals here get all excited when it is warm for 4 hours one day a week in the summer), frumpy/grumpy girls, entitled/snotty hipsters, crazy/violent/hostile homeless EVERYWHERE (including the "nice" neighborhoods), pretentious yuppies, trash/urine covered streets.. then this is the city for you!
If you dislike any of the things I just listed, then the East Bay might be a better option. I lived in Oakland for a year before I came here and despite it's reputation, never felt threatened or intimidated
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San Francisco is Hades - 6/13/2012
I loathe San Franciso. We were relocated here a few years ago and now that the honeymoon's over, I want a divorce!
Sure, it's beautiful, and the surrounding country is breathtaking. But San Francisco itself is one of the filthiest, most unlivable cities in the US, and this is coming from a NYer.
The city is revoltingly dirty. I'm a city girl and I grew up and lived in NYC most of my life, lived in Paris for a short period and have traveled to and spent time in most of the world's major cities. San Francisco is filthy. Human urine and feces fill the sidewalks and the stench walking down some streets is vile. Cigarette butts are scattered all over(especially if you live near one of the ubiquitous Academy of Art "schools"). Food trash and utensils line the gutters.
The homeless have taken over the city. Thanks to the insane do-gooder politics, homeless people, most of whom are disturbed or drug-addicted, have free run of the city and are even
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