Definitely more expensive than Chicago and Seattle, but SF is way cheaper than NYC. We don't have a city tax like they do there. Also, utilities aren't comparable since nobody uses AC or heat out here and we just leave the windows open. My building (built in 05) like most in SF, doesn't even have AC. Also, I prices at Trader Joe's and Safeway are only marginally more than HEB, and definitely cheaper than the Food Emporium in NYC. You are absolutely correct on the car piece. Having a car in the city is a pain in the ass getting all those parking tickets, having to move it every other week for street cleaning, etc.
aside from the crazy extreme liberal hippies, SF is a very nice city with lots to do. I still prefer San Diego though The weather is even more perfect down here. Well good luck just don't become a Warriors fan over the Rockets
also watch out for Magneto, Godzilla, Huge Earthquakes, tsumamis, giant sharks, and aliens. I think outside of NY, SF gets destroyed the most often by some sort of diaster in movies
NYC has Trader Joe's as well. How much is average rent for a 1-br apartment in SF? I pay $1100 here in Chicago, and I'm pretty sure the same apartment in a similar location in NYC would cost me $2,200+.
LOL that's a major con. Big houses, big & fancy cars. That's how we roll in Houston. It'll be the opposite in San Fran.
It will be fine for a few years. Making $100,000 a year in San Fran, not being able to afford a car or to go out to the bar. Then one day it will dawn on him that for however much there is to do in San Fran, that usually he just goes to work, goes to a few concerts and bars... and is basically poor. Then he will move somewhere else, where he can own, not rent a home, and will be able to have a decent car and go on vacation.
Actually you'd be surprised. There is a pretty good Mexican community and a lot of them are from the area bordering Texas so we can get pretty decent Mexican food in MSP.
I lived in SF (Parnassus/Irving area) for 4 years while at school. It's definitely a very fun place to live, but not permanently. If you are a single guy, SF is the place. Chicks are easy, clubs are cheap, and always something poppin' every weekend. But to your questions: Good money saving tips: Well, you're in SF and everything is overpriced. But I have one advice: Buy a MUNI/BART pass and just use that to go around. Everything is accessible via public transportation. Good place to eat: Well, depending on what you like to eat. I LOVE Vietnamese food so the Irving has some good Vietnamese foods. You want Vietnamese sandwiches, you have to go the Tenderloin, which is shady after 6pm. You want Mexican food, go to the Mission. You want others, go downtown Good place to ball: SF is cold and windy as hell basically 85% of the year. I would suggest getting a gym pass. A lot of ballers ball indoors in SF, unless you want to go to Oakland. The UCSF gym at Mission Bay is pretty dope, and a lot of the general public go there.
I always find it amusing how just the very mention of the city strikes up such powerful emotions in the most conservative of Texans.
My buddy and I rent a pretty slick 2/2 with washer/dryer and 1 pkg space for $3100/mo. For a 1/1 in a decent neighborhood such as Nob Hill, North Beach, or Marina, you're looking at $1600 and up.
Thanks everyone for the advices and the tips. Yes, I already heard a lot about the high cost of living which seems ridiculous... http://www.bestplaces.net/col/?salary=80000&city1=54835000&city2=50667000 I just hope I find a way to save money by being smart and careful. By the way, I found 1000sq apartment for $2100 in the east of Daly city, and expect to live there for an year before making a decision for more permanent place.
I was going to move to SF at one point. The only reason I didn't was the inner city traffic. It's probably not as bad as NYC but it's easily the worst in Northern Cali. As for personal freedom in SF, I find it more accepting than most other city. You can pretty much do whatever you want and no one's going to say anything. They might not agree with you, but they won't say anything, even hardcore to the hardcore xtians. There's a huge gambit of different people and culture there, from the homeless to the wealthiest yuppies. You can be freak'n gay, straight, arab, xtian, whatever, no one gives. Yes, the laws are have a liberal nazi taint (another reason I don't live there is because I own guns) but there's a "live and let live" atmosphere. My advice is if you're single and can afford it, go for it. Great night life, but the bouncers to nearly every club I've been down there are punks.
Yes, but they are more towards business owners. I certainly don't agree with them. But remember, freedom goes both ways, even if it's not the things we don't agree with, like gay rights, pro-choice weird religions. Hopefully, you have the moral fortitude to defend the rights you don't agree with. But I digress in fear it might get moved to DD.
