Moving to San Francisco

At the edge of California, San Francisco is at the forefront of American culture and has a long history of beckoning the edgiest and boldest immigrants to its city. A destination for goldminers and pioneers during its inception to the world's counter culture epicentre in the 1960's to the technological capitol it is now. It's prosperity and ingenuity are real products of a successful American dream realised.

There has always been a strong national desire to head west to San Francisco. Its beautiful landmarks occupy a utopian ideal in the American psyche. The Golden Gate Bridge, a rolling cityscape, the trolley cars and even Alcatraz prison are famous constructs of what a city ought to look like.

Yet San Francisco isn't only an American journey westward but a major destination for expats. San Francisco has a long tradition of attracting a diverse population reflected by the huge immigrant population. Expats moving to San Francisco today will find industries still at the forefront of progress and an inclusive amalgamation of cultures.

The city's Victorian architecture, wrapping itself up and around hills, and a liberal outlook throughout, make San Francisco familiar to many European expats. Culturally distinct areas of the city such as China Town and Asian American and Hispanic neighbourhoods make it further internationally representative.

San Francisco is becoming a victim of its own success. An extremely high cost of living and high property prices are pushing even middle income families out. Diverse family neighbourhoods are being replaced by wealthy individuals. Increasingly families looking for accommodation move outside San Francisco into the Bay Area. Yet still, the mixture of cultures, ingenious industries, and liberal attitudes make a creative, exciting and original city that continues to reinvent itself.