Hey folks, I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $135,909 in South San Francisco. The median home value here is around $1,160,100, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -South San Francisco sits at 243.2 per 100K. Homes are going for about $1,160,100 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
27 upvotes
14 Replies
Ryan Nelson
hard disagree but ok
35 upvotes
dc_christian
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Aubrey
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Midtown area are average. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Julia T.
facts
29 upvotes
Carson Perez
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Everly Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 7 years. Moved from San Diego for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Winters are long and cold. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Natalie Roberts
Came here for school and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Easton Wood
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
sf_wesley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
20 upvotes
Allison H.
I've lived in Highland for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Peyton R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Dominic Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 58, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Old Town and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
10 upvotes
Connor W.
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 3 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Julian Hall
I work in construction here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
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