Moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco
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Are you thinking about moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco? Check out this guide for everything you need to know!
What to Know When You’re Moving to San Francisco
If you’re moving from LA to SF, you’re in for some big changes. For one, the population of LA is nearly 4 million, while the population of San Francisco is just over 870,000. But this smaller city is no less vibrant, complete with a bustling nightlife, a robust public transportation system, and delicious eats.
Getting ready to move to a new city can be challenging. A Los Angeles-to-San Francisco moving company can make your move easy. Rely on Move Central to handle all your moving and storage needs.
Local Activities
San Francisco is a beautiful beachfront city with plenty to do.
Surfing is popular at many beaches throughout the area, including directly under the Golden Gate Bridge! Since the city is mostly hills, there are plenty of hikes and trailheads that offer beautiful views and spectacular scenery.
A variety of fun outdoor activities can also be enjoyed at the Golden Gate Bridge Recreation Area, including boating and biking. There is something truly breathtaking about the nature and landscape of the Bay Area!
SF offers plenty of other activities if surfing or hiking don’t appeal to you. Visit Napa Valley or Sonoma Country to experience wine country.
Moreover, Los Angeles is home to some unique events that do not take place anywhere else. The most popular festivals include San Francisco’s Pride Parade and the Chinese New Year’s Parade in Chinatown. The city is also home to several professional sports teams to cheer for, so you can enjoy sports competitions here regularly.
Weather
A move to SF means ditching LA’s warm, sunny beaches. The climate in San Francisco is far milder. It is typically colder and rainier in San Francisco, with around 70 rainy days per year. The sunny reputation of California may not extend to San Francisco, so get your raincoat ready.
Public Transportation
When it comes to traveling around San Francisco, you probably won’t need a car. It has a well-developed public transportation system compared to LA. You can travel around the center of the city on the infamous cable cars. Residents of SF can also access BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit System) as well as the Muni Bus System.
The San Francisco area also boasts a highly bike-friendly infrastructure, making it a great option for those who prove to commute and move around on two wheels. With an extensive network of bike lanes, dedicated cycling paths, and bike-sharing programs, navigating the city via bicycle is convenient and safe. Additionally, many public transit options, including BART and Muni, accommodate bicycles, offering an eco-friendly commute throughout the region.
Cost of Living
The cost of rent in San Francisco is much higher than in Los Angeles. SF real estate is some of the most expensive in the country, with 1-bedroom apartments costing over a million dollars. As a result, you can expect to pay 50-60% more in rent in SF than you did in Los Angeles.
In the city center, a one-bedroom apartment can go for around $3,500 per month. Despite this, there are plenty of cute neighborhoods in San Francisco, such as the Mission and Russian Hill. Bernal Heights, The Sunset, and Dogpatch are some of the best up-and-coming neighborhoods to look into.
Education in San Francisco
If you have children, considering the quality of the local education system is crucial. San Francisco is renowned for its strong public school offerings, which are rated highly by various educational review platforms. According to Public School Reviews, San Francisco’s public schools have an impressive average ranking of 8/10. Here are some of the top-rated public schools in the area:
- Francophone Charter School of Oakland
- Lowell High School
- Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts
- The New School of San Francisco
- Yu Ming Charter School
In addition to the impressive public school system, San Francisco is home to several prestigious private schools, providing a range of educational options for families:
- The College Preparatory School
- The Nueva School
- Head-Royce School
- San Francisco University High School
- Lick-Wilmerding High School
Working in SF
SF is home to a variety of employment opportunities. It is a great place for start-ups and tech companies in Silicon Valley (like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft). As reported by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco’s economy is dominated by IT, biotechnology, software, renewable energy, international business, and media.
For those who aren’t interested in technology, there are plenty of other employment options. Surprisingly, Tourism is the number one industry in San Francisco. As part of the tourism industry, a lot of service jobs are available, including jobs in hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
San Francisco Grub
There is no doubt that you will miss the local food if you live in LA. Vegan options are abundant in LA, and LA’s taco stands are famous for their authentic flavor.
Do not fear — the Tex-Mex food in San Francisco is also excellent. There is a famous dish in the area called the Mission Burrito (which can be found in the Mission District). SF is also known for its seafood, which can be found in Fisherman’s Wharf.
And if you’re vegan, there are plenty of creative vegan restaurants throughout the area! One of the most well-known is Wildseed, offering local, vegan, and seasonal dishes such as “neatball” masala and rigatoni bolognese with Impossible “meat.”
Shopping in San Francisco
San Francisco offers a vibrant shopping scene with something for everyone. Union Square features luxury retailers and flagship stores, while the Mission District is known for its eclectic mix of independent shops and vintage stores. For unique souvenirs and specialty items, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are popular destinations.
Upscale shopping can be found on Fillmore Street and in Hayes Valley, offering trendy boutiques and fashion outlets. The city’s farmers’ markets, like the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, provide fresh local produce and artisanal goods, supporting local vendors. Whether high-end or unique finds, San Francisco has it all.
The Process for Moving From LA to SF
It is not easy to move from LA to SF on your own. The first step is to pack up, load up your truck, navigate LA’s notoriously congested traffic, and then drive the 6-8 hours to the Bay Area. When you get there, you’ll have to maneuver your large moving truck through San Francisco’s steep streets and narrow roads. There is no need to put yourself under that stress — the team at Move Central is here to help.
Move Central’s team of experts will safely move your belongings from Los Angeles to San Francisco. We provide safe packing, transportation, and unloading services. Our process includes:
- In order to protect your belongings, we use high-quality, sturdy packing materials.
- Our trained pros will pack and transport your items safely.
- You can trust our professional packers to ensure that your items arrive in the same condition that they left in.
Of course, we can help you move from San Francisco to Los Angeles as well!
How Much Does It Cost to Move from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
The average cost of moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco is around $2000. However, the actual price can end up being more (or less) depending on your specific situation. It’s important to remember that the cost of your move will vary depending on several things, such as the number of items you need to move, their weight, the distance, and any full-service options you may require.
Need Help Moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
If you need help moving from LA to SF, Move Central is here to save the day. We offer an array of expert services that set us apart from other moving companies from Los Angeles to San Francisco:
- Packing Services: Our expert packers use high-quality materials to securely pack your belongings. We handle fragile times with special care, so everything arrives safely.
- Moving Storage: We provide both short-term and long-term storage solutions, perfect for any transitional needs during your move.
- Apartment Moving: Our team specializes in apartment moves, handling the unique challenges of navigating tight spaces and multiple flights of stairs with ease.
- Residential Moving: Whether you’re moving a small home or a large estate, our residential moving services cater to all your needs. We provide a stress-free transition to your new home.
We offer professional and affordable moving services from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Plus, we can handle your packing and storage needs as well. Contact us today to schedule your move!
