Accommodation in San Francisco

As a city surrounded on three sides by water, San Francisco’s ability to provide accommodation for the many interested expats is greatly limited by the same geography that makes it such an appealing destination. That being said, there are many housing options in the Bay Area – the greater region surrounding the city, where expat accommodation can be found within a short distance of the thriving metropolis.
 

The constricted and compact area has given rise to apartment buildings and divided houses rather than individual homes. A detached house is difficult to find and extremely expensive. Apartments are very expensive as well. A one or two bedroom apartment will cost from $1,200 to $4,000 per month to rent. Smaller studio apartments can cost $1,000 to over $17,000.
 

Neighbourhoods in San Francisco tend to have their own unique character.

The Castro is a well known neighbourhood in San Francisco with lively shops and bars. Victorian architecture and large bay windows make it a popular but expensive area of the city.

The financial district has few housing options except hotels and suites.

The Haight Ashbury district was the epicentre of the counter culture movement in America in the sixties. It still retains a bohemian feel although much of it caters to tourists. Shared housing is common in the Haight area of San Francisco.

Both The Marina and The Mission areas are more residential, but remain expensive.

Russian and Nob Hill are quaint places that have highly sought after apartment accommodation in San Francisco.

North beach has a European blend to it, and is a more lively residential housing area.

The expensive housing costs in San Francisco often convince expats to seek housing in the East Bay area and commute into the formal part of the city. The popular communities of Oakland and Berkeley are attracting more and more families that cannot afford housing in the city.