Looking for a new place to live that has culture, beauty, and sun in spades? Downtown San Francisco may be the perfect place for you. While it is certainly expensive, there are many reasons it is such a coveted place to live.
Renting in downtown San Francisco is going to cost you a pretty penny. You will pay around $3,000 a month in rent alone for a relatively small apartment. The average cost of renters insurance in San Francisco is about $22 a month, which is more than in most cities. However, these costs are somewhat offset by the fact that incomes in SF are particularly high.
Living in downtown SF is not everyone’s cup of tea, considering it is where a lot of business takes place. That is why it tends to be slightly cheaper than the rest of the city. But that shouldn’t prevent you from looking for an apartment. You may find that living in the midst of the chaos is not just exciting but comfortable as well.
Here is why downtown San Francisco is the place to be.
There is always something to do
Some people love suburban life. They want to find a house with a white picket fence and settle down into a routine. But if you are like me, you don’t want to spend your evenings in front of the TV. Variety is the spice of life, and you enjoy going out most nights and spending time trying new things.
In downtown SF there is always something to do. Whether you enjoy going clubbing or art museums, comedy or spirituality, theatre or walking tours, you will never get bored.
This is true even if you only spend your time exploring places within walking distance. Go just a little bit further out and your opportunities for adventure will expand exponentially. It can be tiring going out so often, but the excitement can also be rejuvenating, giving you the sense that you are living life fully.
There is always something to eat
For foodies, downtown SF is a cultural Mecca. No matter what type of cuisine you enjoy, you’ll find it. But the true excitement comes from trying new things.
If you are interested in food from another part of the world, you’ll find it in or around downtown San Francisco. You can find Asian, African, and European cuisine. You’ll find dishes from different parts of the US and the Americas. You will taste the flavours of the Caribbean and the Middle East.
Dinner does not have to be the same thing every night. You can find what you like, then find more things that titillate your taste buds, then explore even further.
Avoid traffic
While this benefit is not as exciting as the previous two, it is the one that is going to have the biggest impact on your life. Traffic in San Francisco can be a nightmare. Getting to and from work every day can take you hours. It also eats up a lot of gas.
Energy is another thing that traffic can drain. After arriving home from an hour of heavy traffic, few people feel like doing anything.
Living in downtown SF, you are likely to be close to your place of work. Chances are that you can walk or cycle there without much stress. Instead of wasting hours every day, you get to use that time to experience culture.
Stay fit
This also gives you the chance to commit to exercising more. Many SF residents spend all their fitness time in their cars, and only get to exercise on weekends. When living in downtown SF, you can exercise by walking or cycling to work. You can go for a run during rush hour or spend time swimming in the ocean.
Downtown San Francisco is not everyone’s ideal place to live. But if you don’t mind living in the middle of the hustle and bustle, it can be absolutely perfect.