Why Move to the Bay Area in 2023
Are you considering a move to San Francisco? It was recently ranked as the best place in the world to live!
You might wonder if moving to the Bay Area is right for you. What’s special about it?
While it might seem difficult to decide whether to move, it doesn’t have to be. Read this guide on why many are making the move in 2023 and beyond.
Home Prices Are on the Decline
Real estate in California is starting to level out. While the prices are still high, some forecast that in 2023 and beyond, they could drop. Many homes this fall have decreased compared to the same time last year.
Bay Area real estate continues on a trend of decreasing, which offers buyers the chance to bid on homes. Mortgage rates continue to increase in the area, and there’s more inventory. Due to a larger inventory of homes, there’s less competition.
Great Pay
The median income for households in San Francisco is $119,136, and $96,421 for individuals. Compare that to the national median household income of $64,994.
Some top industries include:
- Instacart
- Mux
- Medallia
- Chime
- And more
It’s not just technology, either. Biotechnology, healthcare, banking, education, and tourism are also popular here. There are plenty of opportunities since the unemployment rate is 2.10%. Compare that to 3.80% the previous year!
Beautiful Weather
The Bay Area has a similar climate to the Mediterranean. Throughout the year, it stays temperament and doesn’t get too hot or cold.
The spring is sunny, warm, and mostly rain-free. Normally, you’ll need a hoodie or layers.
The fall months are rain-free and sunny. You’ll only need a jacket or hoodie.
In the winter months, it’s their rainy season. Check the forecast before you head out to see if you’ll need an umbrella.
During the summer months, it’s still cool and has a fog that comes through in the morning. If you’d like to go in the ocean, don’t forget your swimsuit.
Plenty of Outdoor Activities
San Francisco is perfect for surfing. One top spot is Bolinas; it’s great for beginners.
Bolinas is split into two sections: The Channel and The Patch. Shortboards do best at The Channel.
Linda Mar Beach is another popular option. Linda Mar is great for beginners, but you’ll want to watch the weather. The further north you go, the larger the waves become.
The south is best for beginners, the middle is for intermediate surfers, and the north is for experienced riders. Even if the rest of the city is foggy, it can be clear here.
The San Francisco Botanical Garden
You’ll find the San Francisco Botanical Garden along the Golden Gate Park. Find more than 8,000 various species of trees, flowers, and shrubs.
The garden has influences from Southeast Asia, Latin America, Japan, and includes ancient plants. The garden also has beautiful magnolias.
Biking Fun
Bring your own or rent a bike at Crissy Field. Fort Point is a popular destination. You can find it at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Grab views of Tiburon, Angel Island, and Alcatraz. Next, head to the Palace of Fine Arts to check out nearby restaurants.
Some top bike trails include:
- The Golden Gate Bridge
- Angel Island Perimeter Loop
- Muir Woods Cycle Loop
- Mount Tamalpais Old Railroad Grade
- Paradise Loop
The Farallon Island
Head to the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. While it’s less than 30 miles from San Francisco, it feels like you’re transported to another land.
Enjoy the Pacific Ocean as seals, seabirds, and white sharks are around. Take a boat trip to the Farallons, and you might see orcas and humpback whales.
Close by Cities
Oakland is a popular destination for people to live near San Francisco. It’s a popular choice since it has great public transportation making it perfect for commuters. Oakland has a relaxed vibe and more affordable housing.
Berkeley is only about thirty minutes from San Francisco. While your commute time will be less, it’s more expensive than other nearby cities but not too much more.
Mill Valley is a small community with hills, canyons, and redwoods. It does have higher rental prices than San Francisco. Since it’s a shorter commute to San Francisco, has beautiful views, and has fun festivals, it’s the perfect pick.
Delicious Eats
There are plenty of delicious eats in San Francisco. From pastries to fresh produce, there’s so much to choose from.
At the Ferry Building, you’ll find the weekly farmer’s market. Check out the various bakeries lining the streets, and don’t forget coffee.
The Arts
The San Francisco Ballet, The San Francisco Opera, and The San Francisco Symphony are excellent choices. You’ll also want to check out the theater scene in the area.
For museums, head to:
- The Palace of Fine Arts
- The Legion of Honor Museum
- The Museum of Modern Art
Professional Sports
Soccer, hockey, basketball, baseball, and football fans will find games to watch in the area. The Bay Area has a couple of professional teams to check out.
The Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship recently, and the San Francisco Giants won the World Series. In Oakland, you can check out the Oakland A’s and Raiders.
The San Francisco 49ers are doing much better as well. Within Silicon Valley, you’ll find Levi’s Stadium, one of the most high-tech stadiums in the world.
Plenty of History To Explore
Discover the history of the Spanish explorers and the Native Americans of the area. The U.S. annexed the region when Mexico broke away from Spain and California. The population increased thanks to the discovery of gold.
During this time, it was the gold rush. The gold rush was during the 19th and 20th centuries.
A Diverse City
San Francisco is a welcoming city regardless of gender, religion, race, etc. San Francisco has large Asian and Hispanic cultures.
The city is a large supporter of the LGBTQ community. You’ll find plenty of LGBTQ parades and other events.
The Stern Grove Festival
The free Stern Grove Festival has artists from various musical genres. You can head here for events in the summer.
Past events have included Ziggy Marley, Mavis Staples, and Fantastic Negrito. The San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Symphony also perform annually. It’s quite popular, so you’ll want to grab a ticket in advance.
There’s a Neighborhood for Everyone
The diversity in San Francisco is one of the celebrated factors, and it extends to the neighborhoods. For a kid-friendly area, consider Noe Valley or Cole Valley.
Dogpatch, Pac Heights, and the Marina District are popular options for water views. San Francisco neighborhoods are walkable and close to a park.
There are various ethnic neighborhoods as well. The Mission district is popular with those in the tech field who enjoy live music, restaurants, and coffee shops.
The Fog
The Fog in the area has its own name, Karl. Many residents are excited to watch the fog roll through since it’s only around for a short period. You can also find his Twitter account.
Plenty To Do
Head to Dolores Park and the Golden Gate Park. There’s plenty of dining nearby too.
Sonoma and Napa Valley are under an hour away. Head to Berkeley to hike with redwood trees. You’ll only be a few hours from national parks such as Sequoia and Yosemite.
Good Schools
One of the top reasons to move to the Bay Area includes its public schools. Public schools in the area tend to be better than in other cities. These public schools also tend to have higher student success rates than other urban areas.
The Choice Enrollment Process is within the San Francisco Unified School District. Students can request placement in any school in the district instead of zoning laws.
If there’s more demand than seats available, assignments will be based on tie-breakers which vary. Other options include private schools and public charter schools.
The Benefits of Moving to the Bay Area
After exploring this detailed guide, it’s clear to see why many are moving to the Bay Area. From art and culture to delicious restaurants, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to travel and check out nearby towns and cities as well!
Are you ready to make the move to San Francisco? While long-distance moving can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be.
Take the stress out of worrying about finding long-distance movers. We have over 2,000 five-star reviews and offer long-distance moving. Contact us today and get started with our trusted and certified company.
