If you're planning on moving to the Bay Area, there are many things to consider ahead of time! The Bay Area refers to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, as well as 9 other counties in the immediate surrounding area, and each has its own unique experience to offer.
Foster Van Lines is a moving and storage company that was founded in the Bay Area back in 1941, and has been an integral part of its communities ever since. With over 80 years of experience, BBB-accreditation and ProMover status, Foster Van Lines has helped countless customers relocate to the Golden City, and can offer several tips about things to expect.
The Bay Area is Expensive
Unfortunately, the Bay Area is an expensive place to live, with San Francisco ranking second among US cities for cost of living. Folks who plan on renting should budget to spend approximately $2,400 to $3,300 per month for roughly 740 to 780 square feet of space. For those looking to purchase a home, the average cost in 2024 so far is around $2.2 million.
On the bright side, the job market in the Bay Area has been growing this year, with over 7,000 new jobs created since January. With many tech companies still headquartered in nearby cities, there are several employment opportunities for those relocating here.
Neighborhoods Offer Diverse Experiences
Neighborhoods around the Bay Area offer endless experiences, aesthetics and lifestyles, making it a great place for nearly anyone to live! Check out homes in Mission for a trendy, artsy vibe with tons of hip places to eat and beautiful street murals always popping up.
For a more relaxed, family-friendly option, areas like Noe Valley and Glen Park are great choices. Spend quiet evenings strolling down tree-lined sidewalks, or stop by one of the many parks with your kids.
Regardless of what you want out of your upcoming relocation, we know you'll find the perfect place to call home in the Bay Area.
Moderate and Pleasant Weather
For outdoor enthusiasts, San Francisco boasts mild weather year round, never too hot or cold, which is perfect for taking up some of the many hobbies people in this area love, such as:
- Hiking
- Bicycling
- Windsurfing
- Running
- Surfing
The Bay Area also has more parks per capita than any other US city, so even within city limits there's plenty of places to go to get some fresh air! San Francisco is also known for being extremely dog-friendly, so if you have a fur baby making the move with you, they'll love living here just as much!
Enjoy Endless Things To Do!
As a vibrant, popular city for both residents and tourists alike, you'll never run out of things to do around San Francisco. You could easily spend every day exploring a new site to see, including things like:
- Restaurants & Bars
- Museums & Galleries
- Nightlife & Entertainment
If you head out of the city a little ways, you'll run into some of the greatest outdoor spaces in the entire country. Drive down to Yosemite National Park for a weekend, or hike through the Redwood Forest to discover the endless Californian landscapes at your back door.
Reliable Public Transportation
Although the Bay Area is notorious for bumper to bumper traffic throughout the day, the cities also boast reliable public transport options, making getting around much, much easier. Utilize the BART for a high-speed rail option servicing surrounding cities and the San Francisco airport, or hop on the Muni to let the bus and metro system get you where you need to go.
The historic cable cars associated with San Francisco are still in operation today, and offer both reliable means to get around downtown, and also a great way to show your new city to friends and family that come to visit!
If you're already planning a tight budget to make your move to the Bay Area, Foster Van Lines keeps our pricing competitive, and offer flexible moving packages so that our valued customers only have to pay for the services they want.
As agents of North American Van Lines, Foster Van Lines is able to help you complete even an international move, so no matter where you're arriving from, we can help. Call us today to get a free quote on our long distance moving services, and hear more about what our local business can do for you!
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