9 Neighborhoods in San Francisco You’ll Love

If you’re going to San Francisco, you’re going to need a little more than a flower in your hair. In fact, this Bay Area beauty is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. But despite the high price tag, people flock from all over the world to start their lives in the Golden Gate City.

Before you move to any city, you should be doing a little homework. This means researching the weather, what the schools are like, or even what recreational activities are available to you, and which neighborhoods are the best to live in, as well as how it’ll cost to live there.

If you've heard of the big hills and large population you might be wondering how big San Francisco is. This Pacific Ocean peninsula is a mighty 7 mile by 7 mile metropolis that’s commonly broken down by districts and neighborhoods. And depending on what you’re looking for, one may be a better fit for you. If you're thinking about relocating to San Francisco, let’s go over some of the most popular Bay Area neighborhoods, as well as what makes them special:

What is the San Francisco lifestyle?

The Bay Area is world-renowned for the amount of landmarks, beaches, and tourist attractions it offers. Chances are, when you're thinking about the best neighborhoods in San Francisco, you’re probably thinking of one of these:

Castro

Castro is known as one of the first LGBT+ friendly neighborhoods in San Francisco, making it one of the epicenters of diversity in the city. It’s also full of fantastic bars and nightlife, as well as popular restaurants, cafes, and stores to explore in the daytime. Castro is central to plenty of other neighborhoods, like Mission, Cole and Noe Valley, and Buena Vista Park.

Living in Castro is still expensive, but as of 2024, there is a decline in the sales price. This makes Castro one of the least expensive on our list, with a median house sale priced at $925,000.

 

 

Hayes Valley

Hayes Valley is a neighborhood that’s as trendy as it is beautiful! With updated Victorian architecture, fashionable boutiques, art galleries, and independent businesses, it’s a great place for young professionals and singles.  Not to mention, it’s close to downtown, making it a lively hub for the folks who love to socialize, explore, and shop.

While Hayes Valley comes with a competitive housing market, the houses are a little more affordable than in North Beach. And as of 2024, the median sales price has lowered by over 11%, meaning that this could be the time to strike and secure a home for yourself.

 

Russian Hill

Russian Hill gives you the peace of a suburban neighborhood, while simultaneously being central to some of San Francisco’s most popular attractions, like Fisherman’s Wharf, or Lombard Street’s crooked road.  And once you’re ready to venture out farther into the city, you can take one of the famous cable cars toward the heart of SF.

The housing market in Russian Hill is competitive, but not as much as Hayes Valley or North Beach. This is partially due to the fact that the houses are slightly more expensive, at an average of $1.7 million.

 

North Beach

North Beach is known for its tourism, including the famous Fisherman’s Wharf. North Beach is also known for it’s Italian-American influences, making it the best place in SF to get a cappuccino and explore a unique culture.

The downside of this popular neighborhood is that it can be very competitive when it comes to buying a home. On average a house can sell in just about 35 days. And not to mention, many of these homes sell over the asking price, which usually sits at about $1.3 million.

Looking for the Best Schools?

While there are more singles than families in San Francisco, that doesn’t mean that the schools are lacking. In fact, San Francisco is home to some of the best private schools in the nation. But whether you’re looking for a private or public education, consider looking at these neighborhoods with A+ schools:

Haight-Ashbury

Are you old enough to remember the Summer of Love back in 1967? Well, did you know that Haight-Ashbury was the heart of the movement?  This is often why people dub this the “hippie” neighborhood.

You may notice that Haight-Ashbury is absolutely gorgeous, the Victorian homes are polished, the stores are trendy, and the price tag reflects it all. Living in Haight-Ashbury can run you about $1.2 million. But like we said, it’s popular! The houses fly off the market, with only a shocking 18 days on the market before they get swept up.

 

 

Pacific Heights

Want to rub elbows with some of the most successful people in San Francisco? Then you may want to set your sights on Pacific Heights. This isn’t an area that’s lined with bars and eateries, it’s a wealthy neighborhood with some very expensive homes (selling for a whopping $2.9 million). The community has multiple parks, from Alta Vista, to Lafayette, to the iconic Presidio National Park.

 

 

Want to Live Somewhere Walkable?

It’s no secret that San Francisco can be tough when it comes to finding parking. But thanks to state-of-the-art transit systems like the MUNI, BART, or SF’s famous cable cars, most anyone can get around the city pretty easily.

Looking to live in a neighborhood where you won’t need to drive? Then check out:

Chinatown

There are plenty of Chinatowns around the United States, but San Francisco’s Chinatown is unlike any other. It’s actually the oldest Chinatown in North America! The community was stablished back in 1848, right alongside the Gold Rush. Here, you can explore the unique history of Chinese Americans in San Francisco, get great food, and live in a walkable community that’s as affordable as it is exciting.

In Chinatown, the houses sell very quicky, usually sold within 23 days for a median sales price of $1.3 million.

Want to Live Near the Golden Gate Bridge?

The Golden Gate Bridge is a marvelous landmark on the coast of San Fransico, but it’s also the largest park in the city. Golden Gate park attracts almost 24 million visitors a year, and for good reason. You’ll be able to have a picnic, check out over 7,000 types of plants and flowers, or even shoot some hoops at the basketball court. Sounds like your jam? Then consider living in:

Richmond

North of Golden Gate Park, Richmond is known as one of the most diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco. Usually, it’s broken down by Outer, Central, and Inner Richmond.

Admittedly, it’s a little harder to buy a home and much easier to find a place for rent. You can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500-$4,000 per month. When houses do go on the market, they’ll typically sell for $1.8 million.  But don’t let that deter you from exploring what this city has to offer.

Richmond is diverse, and walkable, with a wide variety of food to enjoy. Not to mention, it’s close to the beach! You’ll also be close to amazing parks, like Precision and Lincoln Park. And don’t forget to hit up the farmers market on Clement Street!

Sunset

Like the Richmond District, Sunset is broken up by Outer, Central, and Inner neighborhoods. It’s located just south of the Golden Gate Bridge and is a good mix of city life and suburbia. One notable thing about Outer Sunset is the impressive fog that rolls through the neighborhood (sometimes you can’t even see through it). It just goes to show that San Francisco isn’t called Fog City for nothing!

Usually, homes in the Sunset District will sell for around $1.4 million dollars. And much like every neighborhood in San Francisco, homes are projected to sell in just about a month. Needless to say, if you want to live in San Francisco, you’ll need to be ready to act fast.

Make Moving Easier with U-Box

In San Francisco, you don’t have a whole lot of room to drive and park a giant moving truck. That’s where U-Box comes in! The compact container is 257 cubic feet, making it easy to maneuver in urban landscapes like SF. And, if you don’t want to worry about the hassle of driving, one of our U-Haul experts can come drop it off right by your door!

So, have we sold you yet? Well, whether you want to move to San Francisco, or anywhere in the world, U-Box is here to help! With a U-Box portable storage container, you can store about 1.5 rooms’ worth of stuff. And on top of that, you can ship it to hitch it to the back of your car and drive it yourself.

No matter what your moving style is, U-Box containers can help make your move easier. What could be better than that?

So, let’s get moving!