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5 Best Neighborhoods in San Francisco for Young Professionals

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Find a place to call home among the best neighborhoods in San Francisco for young professionals

You aren’t alone if you want to call San Francisco your home. People of all ages flock to this California city, but it’s especially popular among young professionals. Not only does the city contain a great combination of natural beauty and stunning architecture, but it also features activities that allow people to enjoy everything from the great outdoors to a thriving nightlife.

Before you commit and move to San Fran, you’ll need to do your research to make sure you don’t end up paying a fortune to live in the worst neighborhood. To help you find the best place to live, check out this list of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco for young professionals. Coliving in San Francisco can help you find the perfect apartment in SF. 

neighborhoods young professionals

1. Put SoMa on your list of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco

Also known as South of Market, SoMa is not just the place where most startups set up shop. It’s also where you could call home. With a median age of 37 and a median household income of $72,000, this San Francisco neighborhood is an affordable place for young professionals to live, work and play.

SoMa is a huge neighborhood that extends from the Embarcadero to Eleventh Street, between Market and Townsend. The eclectic mixture of warehouses, art galleries, startups, cool restaurants, dive bars, and hot nightspots ensures that you’ll never be bored in this SF area. It’s easy to hop over to downtown San Francisco and the financial district.

When it comes to entertainment, there’s no shortage of options. This area is home to the AT&T Ballpark, which is where the world-famous San Francisco Giants play. If you’re not in the mood to catch a game, or it’s not baseball season, there’s still plenty to do. You can enjoy the nearby grassy square, which is surrounded by shops and restaurants.

If you’re looking for art and culture, you should focus on the area around Market and Third Street. There you’ll find a wealth of places to explore, including the SF MOMA and the Center for the Arts at Yerba Gardens. The area is also known for its cool, bohemian feel, thanks to its wealth of independent bookstores and art stores. Feel like a true San Franciscan as you check out each cool spot around this great neighborhood. 

The dance clubs are also a great reason to consider SoMa. There’s the classic DNA Lounge that offers both DJ beats and live bands that range from punk to pop. If you’re looking for something unique, Audio DiscoTech will keep you moving and grooving with a one-of-a-kind sound experience and a spring-loaded dance floor.

neighborhoods young professionals

2. Get a taste of Brooklyn in San Fran when you live in Mission District

People compare Mission District to Brooklyn, New York, for a good reason. It’s known as one of the hippest parts of the city. This makes it attractive to young professionals and self-described hipsters, as the median age in the area is 35. Also attracting people to this neighborhood is the cost of living. The median household income is $63,000.

However, the Mission District isn’t just home to young adults and hipsters. A diverse mix of blue-collar workers and families also call the area home. This is yet another way the neighborhood reminds visitors of Brooklyn.

This destination is famous for its diverse nightlife, making it the perfect place for the YP crowd. The Chapel is a one-of-a-kind venue that offers an incredible atmosphere with live music and drinks. Another point of interest is the Elixir Saloon, which is the second-oldest continually operated saloon in SF. This busy corner bar offers both history and drinks that range from beer to cocktails. Most local spots are within walking distance of nearby apartments making this an accessible SF neighborhood for young professionals. 

The food in the Mission District also stands out. The small eateries with intriguing menus make it easy to satisfy any craving you might have. Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine serves Thai dishes that range from Hat Yai fried chicken to Volcano Noodles. While Over Proof serves everything from Japanese tater-tots to burrata-topped Tartine toast. The diverse neighborhood has a variety of delicious restaurants and local coffee shop gems. 

neighborhoods young professionals

3. Don’t forget to include Presidio Heights on your list of neighborhoods to consider

If you have more money to spend, you might find that Presidio Heights is worth it. With a median household income of $96,000 and a median age of 38, this San Fran neighborhood features easy access to the city’s downtown area. This is ideal if you work in the Financial District and want to shorten your commute. Public transportation is also accessible in this area. 

While the area is known for its large Edwardian-style homes and well-manicured yards, it’s possible to live in the neighborhood without spending a fortune. There are plenty of multi-unit buildings and condos, so you can live among the splendor for a fraction of the price. 

The natural beauty of Presidio Heights is also something to consider. Not only do you have some of the best views of the city, but you can also find tons of peaceful parks in San Francisco, dreamlike nature trails and peaceful forests to help you enjoy nature. This gives residents the best of both worlds; close access to downtown San Francisco and peaceful greenery at home. 

The food scene in Presidio Heights is a mix of cuisine, including French, Italian, Asian and American. These restaurant choices give residents a chance to cultivate a sophisticated palette. Some of the top places to visit in this San Francisco neighborhood include Sociale on Sacramento Street, which is famous for its homemade pasta, and Spruce, which serves dishes that feature ingredients from local farmers. As for drinks, you can enjoy everything from cocktail and wine bars to Irish-style pubs.

If retail therapy is your thing, you can visit Laurel Village on California Street or the shops on Sacramento Street. You can also find trendy boutiques and fun stores on Bruce Street. It can be a shopper’s dream or your bank account’s nightmare, depending on your view.

neighborhoods young professionals

4. Noe Valley is another popular SF neighborhood to call home

If you want to live in a San Fran neighborhood that features a mix of people, Noe Valley is a great option. Both liberals and conservatives, working-class families and millionaires call this area home, which has started to compete with Russian Hill price-wise. This prosperous area features trendy boutiques, an upscale restaurant scene, and cozy coffee shops. Noe Valley is another diverse neighborhood on our list as well as a family-friendly neighborhood.

Hills surround Noe Valley, which makes it feel removed from the city. This and the beautiful Victorian homes attract families to the area. However, couples with children aren’t the only people who call this neighborhood home. Young professionals have also moved into this area to enjoy its charm as well as its food and shopping.

Many residents start their day with a delicious cup of coffee from Martha and Brothers and maybe a coconut and cherry scone from Noe Valley Baking Company. Other must-have eats include Firefly, a fine eatery that offers everything from Polynesian to Mediterranean cuisine, and the family-owned Fresca, which features Peruvian culinary delights like ceviche and oysters.

As for shopping, Noe Valley is home to many fun options. Aptly named Just For Fun/Scribbledoodles, this gift shop offers items that range from classic to kitschy. After a day of shopping at these trendy boutiques, hit up one of the many coffee shop options for a pastry and soothing drink. 

Potrero Hill

5. Be sure to consider Potrero Hill when looking for a neighborhood

If you want to enjoy bright sunlight while the rest of the Bay Area is covered in fog, Potrero Hill is for you. Both this distinction and being isolated by freeways and an industrial landscape, give the neighborhood its own pace and distinct feeling. It’s even home to the Crookedest Street in San Francisco.

The 1990s Tech Boom drove the conversion of factories and warehouses into housing and offices. The residential streets of Potrero Hill are especially pristine, and every house seems to have a flower box or a garden out front. This is another family-friendly neighborhood, but the wholesome feel is far from boring with its booming music scene.

Even though the homes are well-cared for, that doesn’t mean the area is a boring suburb. In fact, it’s far from it. With a “come-as-you-are” vibe, you can find nightclubs and a wealth of restaurants around 18th Street. Bottom of the Hill is a popular music venue that features some of San Fran’s best bands and emerging talent.

If you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors, you can check out McKinley Square, which features walking paths, grassy areas and great views to the west and the south. It’s also easy to find a bit of culture in Potrero Hill. You can stop by the SomArts Cultural Center. This education, exhibit and performance space borders SoMa SF and Potrero Hill. It’s a great place to take dancing, drawing and printmaking classes.

Find the best neighborhoods in San Francisco for you

Have you found one or more San Fran neighborhoods that stand out to you in the Bay Area? A coliving space in SoMa may be exactly what you’re looking for. You can enjoy city living for an attainable price by renting a private room in a beautiful shared suite within a friendly home. Explore coliving spaces in San Francisco today.

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