Choosing your neighbourhood
SF is small (7x7 miles) but wildly varied. Your neighbourhood choice will shape your daily life more than almost anything else. Here's the honest community take.
Hayes Valley ⭐ Most recommended for ANZ founders
Vibe: Trendy, walkable, central. Boutique shops, great restaurants, close to the Civic Center and SOMA.
Cost: $3,000–$4,500/month for a 1BR furnished.
Why ANZ founders love it: Build House is here. It's central to everything. You can walk to most of the startup ecosystem.
Downsides: Can feel a bit precious. Parking is a nightmare.
SOMA (South of Market)
Vibe: Tech hub, industrial-chic. Close to Salesforce Tower, Caltrain, and most major tech offices.
Cost: $2,800–$4,000/month for a 1BR.
Why it works: Walking distance to most SF tech companies. Great for networking. Lots of co-working spaces.
Downsides: Can feel sterile on weekends. Some blocks are rough.
The Mission
Vibe: Vibrant, Latino culture, great food, murals everywhere.
Cost: $2,500–$3,500/month for a 1BR.
Why it works: Best food in SF. Great bar scene. More character than most neighbourhoods.
Downsides: Some blocks have safety concerns. Further from the tech corridor.
Noe Valley
Vibe: Family-friendly, quieter, sunny (SF's sunniest neighbourhood).
Cost: $3,200–$4,500/month for a 1BR.
Why it works: Great for families. Good schools. Quieter and more residential.
Downsides: A bit far from everything. Limited nightlife.
The Marina
Vibe: Young professionals, fitness culture, bars and restaurants on Chestnut St.
Cost: $3,000–$4,500/month for a 1BR.
Why it works: Beautiful views. Great running along the waterfront. Active social scene.
Downsides: Can feel like a bubble. Far from SOMA and the tech corridor.
Neighbourhoods to approach with caution
Tenderloin: Central but has significant safety and drug issues. Not recommended for new arrivals.
Civic Center: Similar issues to the Tenderloin. Avoid as a home base.
Finding a place
- Furnished Finder — best for furnished short-term rentals
- Craigslist — still used in SF, but be careful of scams
- Zillow / Apartments.com — for longer-term unfurnished
- Facebook groups — "SF Housing" groups often have good leads
- Ask in the ANZ WhatsApp group — community members often know of places coming available