Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2012. Rent is about $2,833/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $1,160,100, which is pretty steep. With a population of 64,487, South San Francisco is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $2,833 for rent here. Homes are going for about $1,160,100 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Diverse community
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Hot summers
- Far from major airports
- Homelessness issues downtown
- Not enough green space
What neighborhoods would you suggest? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
24 upvotes
20 Replies
Austin Alvarez
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The dating scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Arianna Ramos
this is the way
39 upvotes
Olivia Price
not my experience at all
39 upvotes
Jacqueline C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
indy_hunter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Isabella E.
Used to live on the East side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Skylar Watson
Moved here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
kai_soul
it depends on the neighborhood
31 upvotes
kc_weston
I've lived in Oak Park for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The food scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
cincy_nicholas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 58, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Fairview and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
27 upvotes
Ethan Jones
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much competitive but now it's average.
24 upvotes
Mackenzie S.
hmm interesting perspective
20 upvotes
Zoey Gomez
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The community vibe is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Theodore Rivera
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Evan D.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Sophia M.
big facts right here
12 upvotes
Riley Cook
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
Lydia Garcia
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Indian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
4 upvotes
Jeremiah B.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great seafood places. it exceeded my expectations.
3 upvotes
Emmett Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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