3 Tips For Relocating to San Francisco

Relocating to a a bustling city like San Francisco can be exciting but also hectic. The highly anticipated move can be chaotic and fulfilling at the same time. This sense of overload can lead to last-minute planning, which may contribute to a more stressful process when making the big move.

That said, relocating to San Francisco is an exciting achievement and should be approached as such! To reduce feelings of stress and improve your levels of preparedness, consider these three tips before relocating to San Francisco.

1. Relocating to San Francisco

Having a thorough checklist is an important part of relocating to San Francisco. You might be moving for a new job opportunity, or you might be moving to be closer to family. Whatever your reasoning may be, it is always beneficial to think ahead. There are several steps you should take when planning your move to San Francisco. Some of these steps are:

Create An Overall Plan

• Do your research on the cost of living in San Francisco. Make sure you are able to maintain your financial stability!
• Create a budget that reflects your anticipated income, monthly bills (both existing and new). Add that to the overall living expenses that come with life in your new city. Keep in mind that the total might be higher when relocating to San Francisco.
• If you haven’t found a job, it’s important to find a secure job. One that will meet your financial needs and the living standards of San Francisco.
• Conduct research on areas you would want to buy or rent a home in.
• Decide whether it would be cheaper to keep your car or use public transportation while considering the expenses on gas and parking in the city.
• Establish a moving plan. Depending on your living style, consider whether it would be more cost effective to hire movers. Or purchase new items upon arrival. 
• Settle any outstanding bills or utilities and payments you have in your current location before moving. Avoid adding to your new expenses!

Things do not always go as planned, but being prepared can help.

Consider the un-predictability of a big move like this as an exciting part of your journey. Also, be proud of every productive step you take to get there! You will have more things to get done once you’ve moved to the city. But follow this checklist before relocating to San Francisco so it can be as smooth as possible.

2. Find a Home 

Formalize your relocation plan and establishing a general timeline. After that, finding housing when relocating to San Francisco should be your next priority. Buying a house is never an easy task. Especially when in a new city and housing market you don’t have previous experience with. That being said, consider hiring a real estate agent who will help you find a home. Perhaps in a neighborhood that will fit your financial and safety needs! When making a big investment, like real estate, it’s important to consider the factors. Such as the convenience of the location, or the price of the house. Additionally consider the features of the house, and the safety of the neighborhood. To ensure your requirements are met, be clear with your agent. Talk about what you’re looking for in a house. Making sure you’re on the same page as your agent will help in getting the outcome you want!

San Francisco has a high-priced and competitive housing market. So, it’s important to ensure your finances are in order from the start. Plan to set aside at least 20% for your down payment. And at least one percent of the total expected price. Anticipating this expense and building your savings up beforehand will help in establishing your budget and expedite the offer process. Furthermore, it’s essential to communicate with an agent who understands your financial status. This will help you navigate through the overall requirements to buy a house. Once you’ve narrowed down your search, be sure to visit the home and surrounding neighborhoods. Do this before making that investment! If you feel confident about the house, as well as the neighborhood, then it’s safe to say you are ready to relocate.

3. Explore San Francisco

Once you’ve arrived and settled into your new home, you’ll likely be excited to learn your way around the city. It takes time to get acclimated to a new city like San Francisco. But that can be such a fun part of the process! Take this opportunity to learn more about your city by exploring the places you have never seen. One of the easiest ways to explore San Francisco is to go on a tour to visit new places. Some of the famous landmarks include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Oracle Park, Twin peaks, and walking in downtown San Francisco.

Moving to a big city can be daunting in the beginning, but it will get easier as you become more familiar with your surroundings. While you explore this new city you’re calling home, you should try introducing yourself to your neighbors. Create connections and begin building relationships within your community!

Get to Know Your Neighborhood

While exploring San Francisco, consider looking for convenience stores, pharmacies, clinics, gas stations, restaurants, and entertainment venues that are near your house. San Francisco is known to have a variety of good restaurants and places to explore. Start by getting out of the house and exploring the many things to do around the city whether you’re alone or with friends. Once you start locating new places and stores, you will get more comfortable with your surroundings.

Get Excited!

Taking a large leap like relocating to San Francisco is a tough decision. You have to consider many factors before moving to make your new journey successful. The three tips mentioned are useful to consider in your relocation process. Take each step one at a time and work through everything else in an organized way. 

The worry of not being prepared will dwindle, especially if you’ve always dreamed of having a home in a big city. This is your chance to live your life and explore new things, so don’t be afraid to take risks and go on endless adventures!

Discover San Francisco like never before! Join our Explore S.F. group on Facebook, your ultimate guide to the city’s best-kept secrets. From local tips to monthly adventures, this is where your journey begins. Click here to join and start exploring!