There’s nothing in San Francisco you won’t find, from gorgeous Victorian architecture to historic attractions to restaurants with lip-smacking cuisine to multiple options for recreation. Incredible, isn’t it? And if you’re a young professional looking for a new opportunity, especially in the IT sector, this is undoubtedly the perfect place for you to work and live! With a population of 874,961, the numbers speak for themselves! San Francisco has several neighborhoods, but not all of them are suited to your needs and requirements. Therefore, to make the tasks of moving to San Francisco and finding a neighborhood for you easier, we’ve made a list of the top 10 areas you’ll find to your liking.
1. Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a new, developing neighborhood in San Francisco and is very popular among millennials. The posh apartments, wide streets, and spectacular views of San Francisco Bay attract plenty of young professionals. You’ll find not just techies living here but also scientists and marketing professionals. The presence of these individuals gives an intellectual vibe to the area that’s inspiring.
You’ll have no problem finding restaurants, bars, cafes, parks, and coworking spaces. A new park with access to a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a dog park has come up that you should add to your list of must-see places!
Mission Bay isn’t even an hour from Silicon Valley by car and about 15 minutes from the Financial District. Overall, it’s an ideal locale for living, so you could look up rooms for rent in San Francisco here.
2. South Beach
If you want to live in contemporary and high-end houses and have access to shops, boutiques, cafes, and breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay, South Beach is the place to be! Although it may be hard to believe, the neighborhood once housed ruined waterfront warehouses before its transformation and subsequent popularity among millennials. The area also has some top-notch schools.
Surrounding areas include SoMa, Mission District, and the Financial District. As far as visitor attractions are concerned, there’s the Museum of the African Diaspora, Salesforce Park, San Francisco Railway Museum, and the Embarcadero Center.
In a word, it’s a clean and safe neighborhood to live in..
3. Showplace Square
Showplace Square is one of the top neighborhoods in the city for young professionals and has an urban feel. You’ll find a number of luxury apartments here, with the neighborhood housing a population of over 11,000 people!
You’ll find a ton of cafes, restaurants, parks, and dive bars within walkable distance. For lip-smacking cuisine, Mayah’s Restaurant Cafe is worth a mention. Art lovers will find this a fascinating place, and you’ll get to see jaw-dropping masterpieces, such as America’s Rock Stars Mural. If this isn’t enough, visit SOMARTS, a cultural center that drives social change through art. It runs many exhibitions from time to time.
A neighborhood with an urban appeal is a perfect place to live in, so searching for a rental room in the area would be great.
4. Telegraph Hill
Telegraph Hill is an upscale neighborhood that boasts beautiful apartments and homes irresistible to most, not to mention stunning waterfront views. The community’s surrounded by Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, the Financial District, and Nob Hill. The area houses magnificent Victorian architecture, bars, restaurants, and wild parrots too! Foodies who drool over seafood, can head over to Fog Harbor Fish House and enjoy mouthwatering dishes..
Some of the must-visit places include the Beat Museum, where the exhibits share information about the Beat Generation, a literary movement by a bunch of authors, which impacted American politics and culture in the 1950s. Language of the Birds is another tourist spot exhibiting an unconventional light sculpture with books hanging in the air like birds. To soak in the sights and sounds of nature, visit Pioneer Park and take a nice, long walk.
In a nutshell, the area is excellent in terms of location and ideal for living. See if it works for you, considering the living expenses, before looking up a room for rent in here.
5. The Financial District
The Financial District houses the Dragon’s Gate, the point of entry to the Chinatown neighborhood. It’s a perfect place for finance professionals.
One of the must-visit attractions of the area is the Chinese Culture Center, featuring art, festivals, and educational events to benefit residents and visitors alike. No matter where you may be in the neighborhood, you’ll get to see the majestic Columbus Tower, built in the early 19th century. If history intrigues you, head over to the Wells Fargo Museum and catch the exhibits that go back to the Gold Rush!
The place is an ideal fit for all young professionals, so try your luck and you may find a roommate in San Francisco in an instant in this neighborhood!
6. Nob Hill
Nob Hill is a blend of notable and modern architecture, besides a ton of cafes, shops, and restaurants. The neighborhood has Victorian-style homes and an urban feel that draws professionals in droves!
The James C. Flood Mansion, perched on top Nob Hill, is a key attraction. This was the home of the silver tycoon, Mr. James Flood. Huntington Park is another must-see spot that’s great for a walk with a friend or partner. Finally, the Grace Cathedral Episcopal Church is a Gothic beauty, and its intricate mazes are definitely worth a visit.
Since the area is home to many professionals, you’ll fit in perfectly. Consider looking for a room rental in San Francisco here.
7. Marina District
Marina District is one of the most high-priced neighborhoods in the city with spectacular views of San Francisco Bay, and is ideal for young professionals.
The area has numerous parks and gardens suitable for people with fitness goals and nature lovers. In your leisure time, visit Marina Green, a grassy area spread over 74 acres, which provides stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and the equally mysterious and fascinating Alcatraz Island. Marina Boulevard, located at a walkable distance, is an ideal space for fitness enthusiasts. Walk down to Presidio, the Palace of Fine Arts, and follow the trails to Fort Point.
You’ll find plenty of happening bars, restaurants, and boutiques along Chestnut street. If your meal doesn’t feel complete without dessert, drop by the iconic Ghirardelli Square to savor some of the finest chocolates in the city.
This is an excellent neighborhood to live in if you can afford the rent.
8. Alamo Square
Alamo Square houses the very famous Painted Ladies, a row of captivatingly colorful houses facing downtown San Francisco. It’s a quiet neighborhood with many restaurants and bars for its residents. The charm and tranquility of the area appeal to retirees and professionals alike.
Alamo Square Park is a visitor attraction with beautiful green hills. People spend their free time with their pets and have picnics with their friends and loved ones. It seems like a nice, cozy neighborhood to live in..
9. The Mission District
Mission District is a neighborhood located in the city’s heart with a massive Latin American influence. But you’ll also find artists, young professionals and people from different backgrounds. In other words, it’s a diverse area. Mission District derived its name from Mission San Francisco de Asis, the oldest standing structure in San Francisco, making Mission District the oldest neighborhood in the city!
The area underwent a sea change with an influx of more educated, sophisticated, and financially sound people over time.
If you’re into food and music, you’ve come to the right place! You’ll find lots of high-end restaurants, bars, and places for music lovers. Also, 16th and 24th streets are home to numerous Mexican restaurants selling tacos and many others selling pupusas, a mouthwatering dish from El Salvador. In fact, the area’s renowned for some of the best Mexican food in the Bay area. Dolores Park is an ideal place to hang out on weekends for picnics or catch up with friends.
Good food and great music can get you through the worst of days, so consider living in the area. Look up a room for rent in San Francisco here.
10. SoMa
SoMa, the short form for South of Market, is a perfect neighborhood for many young professionals, thanks to several tech startups that have set up offices here. It’s also pretty close to downtown, which is the hub of activity millennials crave for on weekends.
The area has a combination of warehouses, commercial buildings, multi-storied buildings, and loft-style apartments. Like Showplace Square and Nob Hill, SoMa too has an urban vibe.
Professionals looking to start their careers and those searching for career breakthroughs will find ample opportunities here. Easy access to public transportation and some of the finest eateries in San Francisco make it a neighborhood worth fighting for!
We hope we’ve successfully shared the information you need to decide which neighborhood you see yourself living in if you’re looking to move to the city for a lucrative career. It’s a good idea for you to plan a trip to the city and spend a little time in these areas and see how comfortable you feel in each of them. Visit the restaurants, bars, and cafes and observe the crowd around you. Explore as much of the city as you can before you decide which neighborhood you belong to!