Situated in Northern California, San Francisco is a Mecca for British expatriates moving to work at Twitter, Facebook, Google, and many of the other global tech giants headquartered in Silicon Valley.
Whether you are immigrating to the USA to work in a tech, finance or a similar industry, or to discover the vibrant cultural scenery and diversity in San Francisco, there is plenty to enjoy.
San Francisco is known for its fog – so much so, it even has its own twitter account to keep locals up to date!
Shipping to San Francisco
The Port of San Francisco is the local shipping port. It has limited cargo facilities though, and so most incoming cargo shipped is received at the nearby Port of Oakland.
We offer international shipping estimates for overseas moves to San Francisco, to help you find you a removal company to relocate your furniture and belongings to your new home in USA.
Cost of Living in San Francisco
One thing Brits will immediately notice upon moving to San Francisco is the increased cost of living, which is pricey compared with London standards! Although wages tend to be higher here (the median household income was $105,000 in 2016, above the national median household income of $78,000), rent and the cost of living is higher as well.
If you’re prepared to pay a little extra, there’s plenty to enjoy following a move to San Francisco from the UK.
Local Areas
Competition for property to rent or buy in San Francisco (SF or “The City” to locals) is fierce, and rent is expensive just about anywhere you go.
For professionals relocating to San Francisco, neighbourhoods like Mission Bay are popular. This area provides an easy commute into Silicon Valley, and there’s been ample high-rise development to house the influx of residents. For wealthy professionals in search of luxury, Pacific Heights awaits.
Families moving to San Francisco should research Noe Valley and Orinda on account of suburban-style housing and great schools.
Amenities & Leisure
There’s no shortage of landmarks and tourist attractions in San Francisco – the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to name but a couple. What’s different about SF is that locals frequent them just as often as visitors, and you’ll find many coffee shops, bars and local eateries around these areas that are worth a try.
There’s a rich historical and cultural background to San Francisco, and it’s worth paying some of the local museums and galleries a visit to learn more about your new adopted city.
In terms of major league sports, the local San Francisco 49ers football team and San Francisco Giants baseball team provide ample entertainment.
Transport in San Francisco
San Francisco has an expansive and comprehensive transport system, but its compact layout makes it fairly easy to navigate on foot.
The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) has five lines, and runs from 4am until 12am, after which a night bus service is available. Frequent users can buy a Clipper Card, San Francisco’s answer to an Oyster Card.
Unlike in many other major US cities, a car isn’t a necessity in SF, and you can easily reach South Bay by transit if you are one of many Brits relocating to San Francisco to work in Silicon Valley.
Schools in San Francisco
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is one of the finest school districts in California, and indeed when looking on a national scale, many of the country’s best high schools are located here.
You can find more information about finding a school for your children when moving abroad in our guide.
Almeda, Fremont and Oakland have several highly-ranked schools, and property values are rising in these areas as a result.
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