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
I left my heart... - 6/10/2012
Not much I can add to what you already know about San Francisco. I am truly blessed to be able to live in a place that many people save a lifetime to come and visit. Having said that, the cost of living is what will cause most of us to leave as we get to retirement
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Great place, but cold - 4/4/2012
There is so much to do here and it's a great place for liberal singles in their 20s and 30s. It is very expensive compared to other parts of California and even more expensive compared to other states. The weather is tempermental and cold, even in the summer, so that's a big adjustment I had to make. Overall, there is a lot to do and the people are interesting and from all walks of life.
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I hate San Francisco. - 3/4/2012
Warning: This is a completely opinion based review and I think liking San Francisco all depends on where you are in the city and what you like in a place you live (for example: if you like paying $2,100 for a tiny studio in a horrible neighborhood, This is your place!)
For someone who knows what it is like to live in a nice town and likes it, this place is HELL. Though I do live in the Tenderloin, a "bad" neighborhood. I have lived here for 2 almost 3 years while going to school. The only good thing that came out of it is I met the love of my life here, And we both LOATHE this place so much. So much seething hatred that I'm trying to contain while writing this. NOTE: We are going to now finish school online so we can finally leave soon. We're looking into Spokane, WA. We came here for the Academy of Art University, which is a horror story in it's own.
We hate the spoiled hipsters with a chip on their shoulders (I'm different! I'm moving to San
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Bring money (preferably your trust fund), and it i - 1/9/2012
I grew up in New England but moved here 35 years ago. Alas, I did not have family money or a trust fund, or a truly elite skill (such as MD, top scientist, elite MBA business background, consulting, etc). So I have spent way too much of the the past decades figuring out ways of earning enough money to own a home here and stay here.
But if you can do that (earn or inherit enough money), and you like a mild climate with a surprising amount of sun (especially in the many nice towns around the bay that are outside San Francisco City proper), a nice amount of greenery, especially in Marin County north of the Golden Gate Bridge where I now live, a mixed culture with a very international flavor compared to most of the US, a lot of cultural activities, and about the best outdoor hiking, biking, running, walking weather and opportunities about anywhere: then this is the best place in the US!
So I appreciate this great place everyday. I just can't afford to live here
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Living in SF - 9/6/2011
SF is a beautiful city full of culture, arts, and diversity. However, the cost of living --specifically housing -- is very hard to afford.
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Best Place To Live In The US - 3/3/2011
We are fortunate to live in the San Francisco Bay Area (Marin County) -- which has to be considered as one of the top ten places to live for a whole variety of reasons. Food, climate, diversity of cultures, arts, hospitals, other entertainment. However, it is also one of the most expensive places in the US to live. Therefore, while we truly love the Bay Area, and will certainly miss it terribly, we are realists and understand that, for retirement purposes, we need to look for another place to live. This is why we are joining this web site -- and are hopeful that it can assist us in making a good
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Weather - 2/24/2011
Hard to beat on a year round basis. Easy to forget which season you're in or the time of year - especially because summer can be as cool as
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San Francisco - 12/11/2010
SF is vibrant and cool, with tons of things and experiences, but $2000 for a 1 bed room apartment is honestly not going to happen (not on my budget). I wish I could move here, just long enough for a big city fix.
The seasons are bland, going from kinda cold in the winter to kinda warm in the summmer.
Do not drive in the city. It's a nightmare-heart attack-hell on wheels sort of experience. The public transportation is really
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WHAT A SHAME FOR SAN FRANCISCO - 9/10/2010
I moved to San Francisco, CA years ago. Even then, I felt it to be a small town with Big City attitudes. That didn't bother me, though; it was sort of "cute." I have managed to live in the Bay Area now for over 10 years and have never really felt it to be "home." Some say it's "beautiful," yet when you look up close, it is really not at all "beautiful." Very run down in a lot of areas. San Francisco makes a pretty picture on a postcard; that's about it. What is the most shameful and most depressing is the fact that the City has allowed the "Scum of the Earth" to take over. There are SO MANY useless people in S.F. today ... low lifers! So many people in S.F. don't work and don't want to work and don't intend on working--EVER. Why bother? The City supports so many useless people, it is disgusting. People who could easily work. It seems that every person who gets on a City bus flashes a "disabled" status card. So many people are "feeding" off of San Francisco's generousity,
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BEWARE! - 8/11/2010
My husband and I decided to take a 5 day trip to Frisco. See the sights, ride the cable cars and such. Oh my GOD! What a mistake! As a matter of fact, we prepaid our hotel for five days and walked away after two nights. We stayed at the Historic Pickwick hotel. The bed was comfortable, and that's about all I can say. BEWARE of parking costs! The parking in the local garages is 32.00 per day. If you are unfortunate enough to have driven a minivan or truck, you will be the victim of the following phrase: "Since you are oversized, you will have to pay double... $64.00 per night." Are you SERIOUS?!! It's that way at all the parking garages. Don't waste your time searching for a cheaper one... it doesn't exist. And, you will NOT want to park in a public lot overnight. We decided to try that. One passenger side window and a lot of broken glass later, it's just not worth the savings. So, ultimate solution: DO NOT BRING OR RENT A VEHICLE! By the way, if you do bring a car and
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