Relocating to San Francisco Featured Articles

Buying Your New Home

Thanks to a sound economy, San Francisco continues to welcome families relocating from the U.S. and around the world. As a desirable city, San Francisco homes remain in demand and typical of higher West Coast prices. According to the California Association of REALTORS®, home buyers paid a median price of $597,760 for a house in San Francisco in January of 2011, a decrease of seven... more »

Custom Homes

Now that you are relocating to the Bay Area, it might be time to consider building a custom home. Once you have met with a few builders and have reviewed ideas, plans and budgets, you will be able to formulate a timeframe for how long the process will take. Keep in mind that master-planned communities in the area also offer custom home building options, which will provide you with built-in... more »

East Bay

East Bay is the region of choice for professionals and families who want to live in San Francisco without actually being in San Francisco. Thanks to its rich metropolitan culture and diverse housing options, East Bay is the ideal place for newcomers who want the San Francisco lifestyle without the San Francisco price.

Alameda County
Alameda County is located... more »

Education

California’s public education system is huge: more than six million students in about 9,500 schools, which are governed by almost 1,000 elected school boards and regulated by a complex education code. The schools are funded through a finance system largely controlled by the Legislature and governor.

In California, schools vary in their grade-level configuration. Most elementary schools encompass K-5, middle schools 6-8, junior high 7-9 and... more »

Financing and Mortgage

As a newcomer to the Bay Area, you may not be new to the home-buying process. Even so, it’s helpful to review all the steps involved, as well as San Francisco-area resources and conditions. Since San Francisco has a relatively healthy real estate market, finding the right type of mortgage for your home is made simple by the abudance of property location choices. With the... more »

Health and Wellness

One example of a leading research insitution is the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), which is consistently ranked as among the nation’s best. For more than 100 years, UCSF Medical Center has fostered clinical innovations that have brought about dramatic advances in medicine. According to U.S. News & World Report, the professional schools of the University of California, San Francisco, are among... more »

Insurance

INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA
Once you have decided to relocate it is essential not to forget the importance of insurance which is often an over-looked task for most newcomers. It is understandable that making the journey from one city to another will mean attending to the most fundamental issues first to establish your new residence, but equally as important is protecting your belongings, financial... more »

Job Hunting

Many San Francisco newcomers relocate to the Bay Area as part of a company transfer or a career switch, with a new job already secured. But often, they are accompanied by a spouse or other family members who need to find a job. Even current San Francisco Bay Area workers often have children who need a job for the summer or a permanent position after graduation.... more »

North Bay

The North Bay area consists of Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. It is the least populated area of the Bay Region and noted for its pleasant environment and enjoyable retreats. The region’s economy is buoyed by its construction, technology and tourist industries. Napa, in particular, draws many visitors due to its world-renowned wine industry. North Bay can be reached by commuting from San Francisco over the... more »

Peninsula

The Peninsula is the strip of land to the south of San Francisco that separates the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Both San Mateo County and Santa Clara County can be found on the Peninsula. In this section, only the northern half of Santa Clara County will be discussed.

San Mateo County
San Mateo County is... more »

Planning and Managing Your Move

With careful planning, moving can be a relatively problem-free process. Whether moving across the street or across country, a comprehensive plan can help with the step-by-step process of relocating.

Bay Area-based services designed to help make moving easier include temporary housing, storage, career counseling and job-placement services. One of the first steps to planning and managing a move is collecting information.

Quality of Life

San Francisco is one of America’s most politically and culturally dynamic cities, with a fiscal reach that is global. The cosmopolitan city is home to a diverse group of people, many of whom were attracted by its rich history. An entrepreneurial spirit drives San Francisco, making it one of the top business cities in the world. Not only is it an appealing city for the young... more »

Relocation Timeline

You’ve just received exciting news. Along with your new job title, you’re being relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area. After the excitement subsides, your next step is to become proactive in the relocation process in order to plan for an orderly transition for you and your family. This doesn’t mean that you have to do all the heavy lifting; on the contrary, it presents a... more »

Renting and Leasing

As a newcomer to the Bay Area, you may want to familiarize yourself with different neighborhoods and regions before determining where to buy. Renting can provide you with the time to do more research and weigh your options.

In San Francisco, 65 percent of the city's residents are renters, and you’ll find the city is a landlord’s market with occupancy at approximately 97... more »

San Francisco

San Francisco neighborhoods are characterized by their eclectic range of histories, cultures and demographics; no one neighborhood is similar to the next. Prospective residents have a lot to choose from when it comes to finding a community that fits their respective needs and wants. With so much available, interested residents shouldn’t have to settle for second best. Whether you’re a single business... more »

South Bay

South Bay is the home of Silicon Valley, the birthplace of the country’s technology boom. San Jose is the largest city in South Bay and is the tenth-largest in the nation. Some of the notable attractions and landmarks in the area include California’s Great America, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, the Google Campus, Hayes Mansion, San Jose International Airport, Santana Row, Stanford University and the Tech Museum of... more »

Vertical Living

One Rincon Hill, The Infinity and Millennium Tower are among the high-profile condominium projects changing the landscape south of Market Street. One Rincon Hill consists of two towers, one at 60 stories tall (completed) and the other at 45 stories (under construction). The project is estimated to cost $270 million. Millennium Tower, also 60 stories with 419 luxury condo residences, is scheduled to open in spring 2009. Plans... more »