Where to Live Near San Francisco, Besides the City
So you got a job in San Francisco, but you’ve heard the stories about the sky-high housing costs in the City by the Bay. Or maybe you’re a graduate student who just got accepted to your dream school that just so happens to be in the city. Median real estate prices in San Francisco sit at a whopping $1.5 million, which is only affordable to about 12 percent of the city’s population, according to Curbed SF. But luckily for you, there are plenty of nice spots that don’t carry quite as high of price tags. These are the best neighborhoods near the city to consider.
Jack London Square
View Homes For Sale In Jack London
This trendy neighborhood is commonly thought of as West Oakland, and its mix of modern buildings, quirky cafes, and fun bars has made Jack London Square a particularly sought-after neighborhood in Oakland. It’s also the waterfront district, so residents here have quick and easy access to Downtown San Francisco via BART or car. There are also ferries that go directly to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, so if you work near those neighborhoods, you might be able to take a boat to work—how cool is that?
Temescal
View Homes For Sale In Temescal
The earliest of the hipsters were probably from Temescal. This Oakland neighborhood was “hipster” before it was cool, and plenty of people who work in San Francisco have made Temescal their home. It’s also quite a diverse neighborhood, and you’ll find plenty of delicious restaurants featuring all different cuisines. You’ll also be in the same neighborhood as the famous drive-through mac-and-cheese restaurant Homeroom.
Mountain View
View Homes For Sale In Mountain View
If you don’t mind commuting to work on the CalTrain, Mountain View is a great city to consider. It’s not quite as pricey as Palo Alto, its ultra-expensive neighbor to the north, but it’s just as quiet and residential. Mountain View is also a stone’s throw away from well-visited destinations such as Stanford University and Facebook. Castro Street is the closest thing Mountain View has to a downtown, and you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops that can get pretty packed on Fridays and weekends.
Millbrae
View Homes For Sale In Millbrae
This town south of San Francisco is teeming with commuters, thanks to multiple transportation systems that offer easy access to the city. Mass-transit commuters can opt for BART, SamTrans, or CalTrain, and those who own cars can hop on the highway. Residents love Millbrae because of its small-town feel, rolling hills, and friendly atmosphere, and people like getting out into nature at places like the Millbrae Spur Trail and Bayfront Park. The public schools are also some of the best in the region.
Redwood City
View Homes For Sale In Redwood City
Decades ago, Redwood City was a port city that welcomed ships into the San Francisco Bay Area. Nowadays, it’s more well-known as being the home of some big names in the tech industry, although the waterfront district of this city is still a popular spot to visit. Plus, the city’s proximity to the water gives it a climate that stays pretty moderate all year round. Redwood City’s downtown area has gone through a vast makeover in recent years, and it’s now home to plenty of new restaurants, trendy bars, and even a movie theater.