living in san francisco vs. nyc | one year later

0:00 intro
1:10 weather and nature
3:20 transportation
5:02 homelessness
6:04 generalization #1
7:11 generalization #2
8:11 summary
9:40 reflections
places mentioned:
Sightglass coffee: sightglasscoffee.com/
20th salon and barber: 20thsalonandbarber.com/
gear: sony a6400 + zeiss 16-70mm f/4
Follow me on ig: / michaelgu_
#sanfrancisco #sf #newyorkcity #nyc

[@dopenerd]

I agree, pick a city that suits your way of life. I was born and raised in SF so I have a bias. But I have a lot of family in NYC so I can appreciate it for what it is. To me, SF is a scaled down version of NYC with better/closer access to woodlands and beaches......if you're into that.

[@woofytwoshoes7711]

I am into that! Love our SF and Bay. I have to say, it's nice to see someone who has a "bias", essentially speaking fondly of our SF, instead of the "I'm leaving SF forever" line I see so often lately.

[@calibomber209]

thats one of my faves of sf bay. ease of access to events. I always love the indoor gardening expo at fort mason, i get all my free samples then go biking from fort mason to golden gate and back. some views of the city are only accessible by foot or bike. used to go raving in sf way back, cow palace and 3com park had a few unforgettable nights . i dj once for 94.9 house nation back in 03. love to go crabbing to at pacifica too.

[@go4broke407]

City was the height if sophistication, class, food, banking and insurance. Cant blame republicans fir turning it into a open air toilet. We use to laugh at detroit chicago philly, New York, dc etc… i heard kids in China who dint finish their dinner are told…think about all the homeless people in San Francisco! Stupid threat….our thieves, drug addicts and homeless are the fattest in the world!

[@MichaelGu]

Great way of looking at it, thanks for watching!

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

Man my family has been the same house in SF for the past 83 years. SF is engraved into me man. NYC is da best around... SF is too laid back . just too lazy for me.. Thanks for the comment back I appreciate it! ^5 Kuya

[@mrmotomoto]

100% it comes down to relationships. You could be in the most beautiful place on the planet and without someone to share it with, it won’t be as meaningful. On the flip side, you could be surrounded by people who love you and make you feel special in any hotel room in any city, and be content.

[@MichaelGu]

this 1000%

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

Relationships are over rated. Just learn to enjoy yourself.

[@nicholasdauphinais]

Facts

[@fergman300]

Tahoe is 200 miles from SF..... That like saying one of the benefits of living in Manhattan is hiking in Washington DC.

[@whatsonhermind1768]

Lol points were made

[@timby2383]

except you can take a train to Washington DC, and you will have to drive to Tahoe, among thousands of other Bay Areans trying to go there for a weekend.

[@xyzblue4563]

NYC is connected with DC, Philly, Boston, Baltimore and many cool cities, even Atlantic City! SF you would have to go on a very long drive to reach LA or Seattle. NYC is close to Europe! Hiking yes Catskills, etc are all there. Beaches are not as cold as SF during the summer.

[@miamiapia]

he said it's a 3-4 hour drive to these places so i don't understand the point of this comment at all

[@ishan17t]

think he was trying to explain how it’s more beautiful in california

[@timlinator]

As a native New Yorker who moved to SF Bay Area 30 years ago to start my career in tech. Mostly agree with you. NYC better for transportation and SF better for weather and outdoor activities. NYC is probably more walkable but many parts of SF are very walkable. Issue on homeless being more visible maybe because the weather allows you to sleep outside in SF year round, whereas in NYC you will freeze to death in the winter. There are tent cities in SF because the weather permits it.

[@Bronnybronny]

The gov. Permits it

[@ASQ1Fan]

Weather isn't an excuse when similar climates in cities across the world that are the same size as(or bigger than) SF don't have nearly the amount of homeless or degeneracy.

[@timlinator]

@@ASQ1Fan not true and I have traveled world and see plenty of homeless in London, Tokyo, Sydney, etc. Most of the homeless are not from San Francisco or California and many are veterans with ptsd from republican wars for oil.

[@timlinator]

@@Bronnybronny what would you have the government do?

[@timlinator]

@@ramenlover1727 Japan has more social programs for the less fortunate.

[@unstablecoin]

This deserves a lot more views. Great video, chill vibes, clear information, high quality shots... 👌

[@MichaelGu]

🙏!!

[@Wisconsinista]

As a Berkeley local who’s worked in SF for years- I’m impressed with the author’s take. Very Well made videography and high quality content. 🙌

[@woofytwoshoes7711]

I prefer SF, but one cool thing about NYC is the SHEER CONCENTRATION of diversity within a square block. As accepting and diverse as SF is, it's not integrated near the level of NYC which makes for an interesting local culture.

[@MichaelGu]

great point - I do think NYC is slightly more diverse esp with Queens

[@shalonsmith3653]

@@MichaelGu It’s not even slightly it’s much more diverse than SF lQueens is the most diverse area in the world. Thats just queens. Not to mention how diverse Brooklyn and Bronx is. Theres over 600 languages spoken in nyc.

[@richardvillagomez2513]

yeah SF is weirdly segregated

[@moo3002]

Yeah came looking for this comment when he started talking about diversity and how you pick your crowd lol....that definitely doesn't exist in San Francisco within reasonable reach. In NYC, you see it around you all the time and while NYC is busier, crowded, and people can be abrupt, I've found it much more welcoming socially than San Francisco.

[@moo3002]

@@MichaelGu Not slightly, significantly. It can be seen in the census data and just walking around. SF is mostly white/asian, combined they up almost 80% of the population. NYC has a much more even distribution across all groups.

[@AChagoyen]

I love your analysis. I grew up in NYC and have lived in SF for 5 yrs. I would say you're pretty spot on.

[@luplew1444]

Your video brings back a lot of great memories from my 3 week trip to the SF/Oakland area 4 years ago. Loved SF/Oakland except for the Tenderloin of course. Chinatown is definitely one of my favorite memories, the food, walking across the golden gate bridge, the beach with a great view of the bridge,and the streetcar ride (talk about hills). I grew up and worked my whole life in the NYC/NJ metro area so I am a bit bias. But SF is a beautiful city. I cannot wait to get back there! Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@misterkiller89]

This is a cool analysis, I used to live in NYC and now live in SF. Def a different vibe, but they're both cool in completely different ways.

[@danielmrtns]

If faced with the choice between NYC and SF, know that these are cities “from different shelves”. NYC can be better compared to São Paulo, Mexico City, Shanghai, Paris. These are centers of the universe, and you know it when you’re there: pace, vibe, energy, crowd, etc. SF “feels” so much more like a midsize city. It’s much less crowded, slower paced, more spaced out. In fact, SF often reminds me much more of Queens (except the weather), not Manhattan.

[@meijiishin5650]

Unfortunately, that wasn't always the case. You can thank suburban sprawl and car-minded development for that.

[@FallingAnts]

SF is about 1/10 the size (population wise) of NYC, so naturally it will feel smaller and less crowded, because it is. I agree though that NYC is a "world city" where SF is more of a normal "big" city.

[@mariowalker9048]

SF is better compared to Chicago. I heard SF as being a hilly Queens.

[@danielmrtns]

@@mariowalker9048 Exactly, SF reminds me a lot of Queens. Even Chicago feels way larger and more cosmopolitan than SF, it has more of a “world city” vibe and more going on. The only part of SF that reminds me of the mega cities is the Financial District, although I also find that part of SF not very desirable.

[@MsDiamondStarDivaInHighHeels]

Thank you for this video and for sharing your experiences and taking us along with you on your journey Michael.😊

[@MichaelGu]

🙏🙏🙏!

[@californiaxfresh]

dude, this vid had such good energy/vibes. well said!

[@MichaelGu]

:)

[@kyleryan1995]

Good takes. I would say that also depending on the neighborhood you live in, you’ll have a vastly different opinion of each city. Loud vs. quiet you can find that in both cities just depending on the neighborhood. Until I moved to the Inner Sunset (Western SF, which is closer to Golden Gate Park), SF didn’t click for me. Then it did once I moved neighborhoods it worked out.

[@davidrice6724]

As someone who lives in Manhattan and visits S.F. often....I would say that this is a very good and compact assessment of both cities. And, yes...who you associate with is very important irregardless of where you chose to live.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

No need to associate with anyone.

[@bbkintanar]

great video man! i love both cities in their own respective ways! i'm from Orange County, so i love going to San Francisco and NYC for the points that you made.

[@suecox2308]

San Francisco's 750K population doesn't begin to compare with New York's 8 million. New York is busier, more crowded, and higher energy, but San Francisco is a small city with big city muscles. The climate and the easy access to a variety of outdoor activities help it to win on points and the city also punches above its weight, with national sports teams, a world class symphony and ballet company, a vibrant art scene, hundreds of terrific restaurants, and a lot of the other major city "must haves." I'm a fan.

[@UnknownassailantG]

What muscle? the rampant fentanyl overdoses or the constant looting by BLM?

[@robshin8078]

Cool video, my guy. As a native New Yorker that has spent time in SF, I agree with the points you make. I'd say that your video is very accurate! Hopefully it will help some young folks pondering NYC vs. SF. God bless you.

[@themi6sportsnetwork171]

Totally agree with the more laid-back energy of SF compared to NYC and having visited NYC recently, I would say SF is most similar to Brooklyn out of the five boroughs.

[@whatsonhermind1768]

How so?

[@bruhbutwhytho2301]

@@whatsonhermind1768gentrified and filled with insufferable transplants.

[@musicmane4146]

@@whatsonhermind17681 yr later and still no response lol 😆

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

@@musicmane4146 You are NOT owed a response. Entitled much?

[@danielgloverpiano7693]

Excellent summary, Michael. I had the great privilege of living in both Manhattan and San Francisco over 15 years each. I agree about just about everything. Walkability is really at the top of my list. I lived for one year between the two in the US Virgin Islands. Talk about contrast! The homeless visibility has to do with the climate mostly. NYC simply doesn’t have space to set up tents, and businesses would chase them out in no time. It’s about tolerance, too. As a professional classical musician, NYC has way more going on, but it got overwhelming after a while. SF has just the right amount and I don’t feel as if I’m always missing something. SF is definitely more laidback, and as we get older this can become more desirable. The almost manic energy of NY becomes almost too much at times. It would be ideal to have an apartment in each city, and when you get tired, you can go to the other one.

[@shinobi9461]

I feel that last line, only wish someone else paid for the apartments though

[@danielgloverpiano7693]

@@shinobi9461 i agree!

[@RunningtoCatchMyBreath]

typical liberal buffoon. "apartment in each city" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 no wonder trump is gonna win again

[@mrmarzo]

SF certainly has all types of people. Whether you want to hang out with an artistic group, outdoor hikers, techies, gamers, to socialites. You can choose your crowd albeit in a more smaller city. I’ve been living here for 20 years now but one thing I notice is how dirty the city is getting. It wasn’t as bad before but I’m noticing it spreading in the downtown area more and more. Everywhere else is still really clean. I live in Nob Hill so maybe I just need to move to a different neighborhood. I’m glad you’re enjoying what the city has to offer. I’d recommend checking out Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods for some awesome weekend hiking.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

NYC is filthy. Tons of garbage piled five feet tall on the sidewalks, rats everywhere, Times Square is a disgrace. San Francisco is pristine in comparison.

[@nathandessalegne3970]

Love the concise and calm explanation of it. I think people look too much outwardly on making living decisions instead of being honest with what they really want!

[@MichaelGu]

100% - thanks for watching!

[@whatsonhermindblog123]

You made a great point.

[@geeky_sasha6813]

SF resident here (originally from east coast) who’s visited nyc a lot. This is accurate. Given COVID, I can say this is definitely an especially weird time in SF. I do love nature being so close, and you’re right about Publix transit. It’s pretty bad, and I get so aggravated with neighbors who don’t want to invest in it/don’t realize what we could have. The rain issue is because we’re ina drought. It’s convenient, but also scary.

[@Deefoh]

This was a great assessment. I’ve been living in SF for 13 years, love it. I’ve visited NYC many times, love it. His summary at the end did a great job summing it up. More laid back (SF) vs more hustle and bustle (NYC). And SF having mild weather year round is a big pro for me. Only thing he got wrong is that bar/clubs close at 2am not 1am.

[@valiente252]

Each offers something different which is cool! SF has the west coast vibes to its own level! If you come from warm weather you would probably like it here! Cool down in the city and experience a quick winter in the summer, said someone before?

[@michaelkopyscianski2312]

San Francisco is cloudy and cold most days. The weather is shit

[@nathanielkez]

love this!! im thinking of moving out to the city from my small town and this really helped

[@noahdavis3924]

def come to SF

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Funny story: more people are actually moving out of these big cities for small towns.

[@YusufOnder]

Beautiful and informative video, thanks it brought back some good memories 🙏

[@beachyTravels]

the video I didn't know I needed! Glad KZbin suggested it! Thank you!! New sub

[@melbaker9495]

From someone who moved here in 1992. We are in drought so you usually do need an umbrella in the Winter months. Normally wet Winters do give you a sense of season here, rainy season turns the hills green with Winter rain, Summer is bathed in our wonderful fog and fall is Summer. The hills change color from green to gold to brown. Also, the streets are generally more full of people, but the pandemic changed that. Once things are back to normal you will see a lot more people out and about at all times of day and night. (A new law will also allow venues to stay open to 4 am, which will help give you that sense of a 24/7 city.) The initial tech boom of the last decade did reduce the arts and nightlife, because the newest generation of young people who came to the city were hyper focused on their careers, working more and playing less. The San Francisco of old tended to be more focused on people discovering themselves. I moved here from the east coast 30 years ago giving up a high powered career to experience that culture. Now NYC and SF have more in common when it comes to people being career focused. Welcome to the city by the bay. Any place can be a home, if you engage with its history, culture and people Make sure whichever place you choose, that you come to contribute and engage with it, not simply consume it. That's good advice for anywhere you wish to settle.

[@dianethulin1700]

@PapayaDoctor There’s a thriving scene here on giving. You may like Berkeley

[@dianethulin1700]

Agreed! I miss the rain!

[@vanzarockin]

How I miss the once affordable, rainy and eclectic San Francisco! By the mid-'90s, San Francisco began it's brutal ascent to the survival of the richest, and San Francisco lost its soul.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

San Francisco never had a tech boom in the 2010s. Also, the seasons are weird as only two seasons exist: hot dry summers and mild wet winters, though even the winter is not that wet. New York City has four seasons: mild wet fall, cold wet icy winters, mild wet springs, and hot wet summers.

[@spacebar9733]

@@SYDAirlineEnthusiast you wouldnt know that because youre literally a new yorker bruh

[@MikeCohenSF]

I grew up in NYC and live in SF. I've never driven in either city and I don't really have a problem with the public transportation here. It gets me where I need to go, and I find the city pretty walkable. I miss NYC's theater scene, but I love the weather & nature in SF. My favorite thing is being able to walk to Golden Gate Park from my home.

[@sanfrancisco89]

The rain will come back, and when it does it can seem to go on without end. On the other hand droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, so it might be a while before we see the kind of rain I remember.

[@chachingoo5272]

Just left my family and kids in NY to start a new life in SF thanks to your insights 🙏🙏🙏

[@catylynch7909]

I think this is a very fair comparison. I'm a born/raised SF'n. And, I love visiting NYC! I have a former colleague, who has the opposite experience, and feeling. She has moved back to NYC, since living here for a couple of decades. I guess the "bottom-line," is that those of us who live in EITHER city/area are very lucky!

[@andrewk666]

you didn't include MUNI on the SF subway map - Muni is way more extensive in SF than the BART system which is only really a commuter train to get into SF from outside the city

[@RR-fg2rl]

Love video I've been living in NYC since 84 I'm from LA and have family in sf. Sf is the most beautiful city I've seen I love showing people around it. But I landed last year at 8:30 went to rent a car and asked fir a Chinatown restaurant opens late and there were none. I drove everywhere looking for a place to eat and all I saw open was fast food that was a bummer.

[@LeoChiu229]

I was born & raised in SF for most of my life. I'm now living in Los Angeles County, Southern California. I do travel to SF on a yearly basis in June during the summer to get together with my special sister. We had a good time dining out I enjoyed the food (both Chinese & American foods) & the cooler weather (don't like the gusty winds). I usually stayed for about a week. When it was time to go back to Southern California, I personally felt I don't want to leave.☹ It's "I left my heart in San Francisco," LOL. Thanks for sharing your video. ❤🙂😸👍✌🦉

[@derek162454]

This video should have more views. Very comprehensive overview. Gonna be living in SF this summer and appreciated this

[@MichaelGu]

welcome to sf 🤟

[@warofhero]

San Francisco is a nice place but just be extra careful in some neighborhoods.

[@EcoresolveInc]

Very helpful and straightforward video, thank you so much (:

[@JT-nz6ju]

Really enjoyed this comparison. NY has far better transit than SF ever will. I love both cities and was born in Queens. I agree with everything shared in this video except for the opinion that it's simply about "who you choose to surround yourself with." Lived in the Bay Area for 8 years. I'm not in tech and made friends with tons of people outside of tech. It still feels very much like a monolith. Ask anyone who's born and bred there. Also, drive 101 and just look at all the billboards.

[@markc5123]

SF transportation is cleaner and once you learn it all, it’s amazing and very convenient. The new trans bay terminal is good. Golden gate park is also way more magical.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

SF has great transportation for a city of its size. MUNI, BART, CalTrain, AC Transit.... to name a few... and THREE airports!

[@megganvoustas1185]

@@Meyerc-yv2bi Wish it was better connected with the rest of the Bay down to each city like the boroughs though. Like yes, there is a BART stop in Hayward, but it goes with the flow of the highways. You needed a car to get to the store, dentist, supply pickup, etc. locally. The buses' timing were unreliable when I lived there.

[@shaunmckenzie5509]

How do they compare by cost of living?

[@karinieves8598]

Thanks a lot for this info., very accurate and informative. Do you think you can do a video explaining more in detail the transportation system in SF? Cibikes, trains, buses...etc. SF is a city I am considering for living, but since I currently live in NYC with no need to have a car, just wanna know if it's manageable to use public transporation /bikes in SF. I understand you guys also have citibikes for rent and train system called "Muni". Thanks a lot again!!😉

[@foodimmerse]

Hey Kari - Just wanted to let you know it is actually very easy to live in SF without a car, and is in fact easier than having a car in many ways. If you don't have a garage space, parking can be extremely difficult, parking tickets (and worse, towing) are expensive, and unfortunately car break-ins and cat conv thefts are a regular thing. As much as the Muni (public transport system) in SF is maligned by locals, they still have a stop within (I think) 6 blocks of any location in SF. So you can get from any point in SF to any other point in SF without having to walk farther than a few blocks. There can be challenges with frequency depending on what line you ride, but I think things are improving since the covid shut down. I should note that the "SF" transit map Michael showed in the video on the right in comparison to NY Subway system on left was for BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), which is a system the runs from SF out to the suburbs and other cities around the Bay Area. A more "apples to apples" comparison would have been a Muni Map, which is an extensive system of buses and light rail just within the city limits. SF is only 7 miles x 7 miles so it's pretty easy to get around. There is also CalTrain, which runs out of SF down the Peninsula to Silicon Valley and South Bay. I'm not a bike rider, but there is a very active SF Bicycle Coalition that has been successful in getting many protected bike lanes installed on city streets, and also have identified commute routes that avoid the biggest hills. You might want to check out their website. Several ebike & escooter companies started in SF, so those options seem pretty plentiful. If you want to take a day or weekend trip farther outside the Bay Area, you can always rent a car (or find a friend that has one!).

[@ruibai434]

There's Lyft bike in SF, I used to ride it to work, something like $15/month. You can find e-scooters but they're not reliable. Muni can get you to a lot of places. With the public transportation system alone you can go from anywhere in SF to SFO, the zoo, the beaches, piers, tourist traps, nature, parks and hikes, shopping, food etc. SF is pretty small. I sold my car as soon as I stopped commuting for work. Without a car you can still fulfill all your needs in the city and uber for the occasional trips out of the city. Just be prepared to walk but New Yorkers are no strangers to that. SF is hilly therefore the need for electric bikes, which you can find on those Lyft bike docks all over the city. But people also buy those e-bikes for a few thousand $.

[@dianethulin1700]

The buses run 24/7 in S. F. but not BART. I walk a LOT in S.F. Agree with empty streets. I have seen that in N. Y. C. ; especially by Wall Street on the weekends where my daughter used to live

[@natpawlick943]

going to college at usf this fall. great vid!

[@MichaelGu]

Thanks!

[@kenhoyer8601]

In SF ,even when you wake and it's a sunny nice day, you still bring a sweater, it can cool down pretty fast. Golden Gate park is 1/3 bigger and much wilder then Central park and the neighborhoods surrounding it are pretty safe. By the way, you can surf at SF beaches.

[@fernandabaggio]

I loved your content, in a few days I'm moving to san francisco, I'm so glad I found your video, I'm more excited to move now 🥰

[@zp5916]

If you say Lake Tahoe is near SF then near NY you have: Finger Lakes, Adirondacks (4-5 hrs) And < 3 hrs Hudson River Valley, Berkshires, Hamptons, Bear Mountain, Rockaway beach, Long beach, NJ beaches etc. There are plenty of outdoor activities near NY. I think the main difference is that outdoor activities are just not as core to NY culture (or really most eastern US cultures when compared to the West)

[@ashbags]

I'm glad to see someone else who took notice of the SF/Tahoe proximity comment. It's strange to me that people often associate SF with Tahoe. They are so far away from each other and not convenient to get to either direction.

[@DRL1320]

Thank you, ZP. We can add: NYC: frequent commuter rail to Jones Beach; gorgeous warm water. Ive also done day trips by bus to Atlantic City for beach and boardwalk fun. It was free since the organizer gave me my $25 back so n assumption I’d gamble with it. Swim on SF beach? No thanks. Huge frequent commuter bus system to natural sites upstate and northern NJ. Commuter rail to dozens of Hudson Valley sites that are spectacular. Guy should also credit NYC for easy rail access to the Northeast corridor. Cali deserves credit for its beautiful coastal rail routes, but you’d have to go to Oakland first to access them.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Honestly, aside from skiing or snowboarding, you don’t need a Lake Tahoe in New York City as it actually snows there, though not as much as upstate. Of course since sf doesn’t get freezing cold during the year and you can go by five months without rain, you see outdoor activities there more often.

[@RobertAng-qm9lz]

Cuz CA is car culture that’s the main difference

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

@@RobertAng-qm9lz SF is not a car culture city.

[@gkennedy2998]

NYC has beaches (Orchard, Rockaway, Jones, Hamptons ...), hiking (Harriman State Park, Mohonk State Park, ...), and wineries (north fork of Long Island...). You have to get out of the City. There are many free events in NYC during Spring and Summer.

[@RandomRabbit007]

But NONE of those things/places compare to their California versions. Beaches (Pacific, sunset on the water unlike sunrise on the Atlantic), hiking (not even close: sierras, santa cruz, hills of bay) and wine (napa, sonoma) are MASSIVELY better in California.

[@gkennedy2998]

@@RandomRabbit007 I've been to both. One is not better than the other. They are different. Are you saying that hiking the Appalachian Trail is less impressive than hiking in CA? To whom? You?

[@RandomRabbit007]

@@gkennedy2998 Compared to Sierra's, Yosemite, Redwoods, Tahoe? Yeah I say those are much better

[@gkennedy2998]

@@RandomRabbit007 Stay in Lala Land, GH. California has always been the "Land of Fruits and Nuts". Sayonara.

[@bigslime2235]

@@RandomRabbit007you never been on the hikes in NY so how can you have an opinion on this matter 😂

[@jpsf99]

NYC has many city parks and beaches in the city or nearby. Maine, NH, VT, CT, RI, NY, etc are the "other" places to go for nature that are a few hour Amtrak or plane ride away. SF Muni does run 24/7 and there are some very frequent lines. Service is being restored since the Rona cuts 2 years ago. SF usually rains about 20 inches in half the year but not this year since we are in a drought.

[@AlexCab_49]

Muni is the best public transportation agency in all of California, 5-10 minute headways on most buses and the major routes run 24/7.

[@bayarea4153]

bruh we BEEN "in a drought" for the last 10 years at least 😳🤦🏽‍♂😭

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Yes, New York City has one advantage and that is that three other states are less than an hour away from you: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Also, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are just three hours away. In San Francisco, you need at least three and a half hours to actually leave the state, whether to Nevada or to Oregon. Arizona is too far to the south.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

@@bayarea4153 to be fair, 20 inches is too little which is why a drought when you have 39 million people living there, and that’s excluding the tourists of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Many places get thirty inches and higher. New York City gets like 40-50 inches of rain a year and more than 20 inches of snow a year, though this season, our snow has been lower than expected.

[@Skittles1987]

5:42 we used to go to that laundromat when I was a child before we moved to a different part of the city. Now we have washing machines at our apartment.

[@jerryjavier843]

Its nice hearing what other thinks, though I have to say I 100% disagree that you need a car in SF. I got rid of my car when I moved here. It’s very walkable. You get used to the hills (plus they equal great views and toning!). Most things in the city are in walking distance, plus you can bike, scooter, bus, BART or MUNI underground. Plus, the temperate weather is very inviting for a walk.

[@thjonez]

we wanted to know if they compared in experience enjoyment

[@esiegel2]

i was raised in and around ny and lived there for a decade or two after college. We moved to the bay area 6 or 7 years ago. With all its problems, I would rather live in Oakland then SF. Oakland and Brooklyn are pretty comparable given the differences in climate etc. Oakland is a very interesting town, super challenged by housing and inequality. Like Brooklyn, it is a very large town, with many different nabes. Don't sleep on the east bay. Berkeley has a lot going for it too. I really don't care much for SF itself, though I love the beaches.

[@theonlyalecazam2947]

I wanna live in Oakland despite all the hate it gets

[@patrickjenkins6383]

Well done. Relatively short & informative. 👍😎

[@MichaelGu]

thanks!

[@benmacmillan1323]

great video! would you mind sharing those clubs for house music? Im visiting for a week next month!

[@MichaelGu]

Halcyon, Audio, Bergerac, Public Works

[@nathan-qx2ep]

For your nature activites point, would arue that ny has all the things you mentioned. You can travel to nj or ct or upstate to hike, surf, ski, swim, etc. technically it isnt nyc, but you mentioned for sf its a 3-4 hour car ride which is a huge distance and reaches nj, ct, etc from nyc. Its just that nyc really is tiny

[@victorcano8762]

Wow I very much appreciate the sf bay area I love it here thanks for the content 👍

[@kimbapslayer1995]

Tahoe maybe 3-4 hours depending where in the bay area you are. But redwoods and Napa like 1 hour. Pacifica 20-30 minutes. Big sur 2 hours. Stinson beach 20 minutes. Russian river 45 minutes. Santa cruz 2-3 hours. Monterey 1.5 hours.

[@fergomez3817]

Santa Cruz is only around 1.5 hours via 280.

[@omar9987]

How do you meet people as a transplant?

[@jerrylim2282]

NY streets and subways just got flooded with heavy down pour of rain. On 9/29/2023. Many train lines were shut down. The city workers can’t do much about the flood. They just waited out few days for the water to drain slowly back into the ground. Still want to move to. NY ?

[@tadmarshall2739]

Useful and fun, thanks!

[@PrabhavKhandelwal]

Great video, thanks a lot!

[@mickjr270]

I lived in San Francisco for five years, Nob Hill and didn't really need a car. I had moved out from Greenwich Village and was used to walking and taking public transportation. Back in Manhattan these days, I find the city plagued with tourists. Certain downtown neighborhoods have been transformed by the newly established venues for the domestic and international tourists. Broadway shows also cater to the tourists who comprise a substantial part of the audiences at this point. There is a Vegas like atmosphere at shows I've seen recently. The audiences behave like they are at a taping of a television game show. The weather in San Francisco is probably the best in the country, lacking cold, a lot of rain and humidity. We do have decent beaches in New York City, accessible by subway or just outside via train and bus.

[@DeidresTravelAdventures]

Thanks for doing this comparison! I've lived in California all my life but would like to visit New York. One thing I was wondering about is the amount of trash on the streets? I've heard there's a lot in New York. Have you found that to be true?

[@ahhdifreeman7902]

It is I've seen ppl throw trash straight on the sidewalk MULTIPLE times... 3 years& it still shocked me. Still come visit for a year. It's an experience❤🗽

[@aljavier2927]

while i agree that NYC's public transportation is unbeatable, i think SF's is pretty good considering how small the city is: only 850k residents and 49 square miles. i have been living in SF for almost 2 years now and i moved here because I knew I would not need a car for my daily commute.

[@eventtrading]

Walkability. Love walking NYC and just soaking in the vibe but nothing compares to the hills in SF. You get the views and a workout combined, 2 for the price of 1. Try California Street from the Embarcadero to the top of Nob Hill or run the Lyon Street steps in Pacific Heights.

[@togasoul8812]

I visited both San Francisco and New York, and I agree that they have their own vibe :)

[@MichaelGu]

10000%

[@JT-zy2ft]

I liked the vibe of San Francisco and it being close to Napa but I don’t think I would be able to live in California.

[@elemenop718]

I have never been to SF and can also agree each city has their own vibe

[@niyahuang5552]

I really enjoy the well balanced view of both cities and squash the stereotypes of each of them. I grew up in Queens and relocated to SF for a job 3 years ago, which I must say the energy shift was a huge cultural difference for me. Then NYC is more of concrete jungle but SF def has more mature to offer in close proximity. Overall, it’s a great life experience before settling down.

[@deanjohnson6074]

Both cities are great for walking but SF is better IMO. The amazing views are unsurpassed and you get used to the hills. Also, biking is way better in SF. The dry weather is conducive to walking and biking year around.

[@xyzblue4563]

First of SF doesn’t have a summer, it’s cold all year round. NYC downtown and midtown views are sensational compared to SF buildings, SF wins if you consider pure nature views. NYC is closer to the world, Europe, etc vs SF. Plus Xmas despite being cold is much much more fun in nyc

[@udornyc]

Oh Michael! 3 years in NYC and you think Central Park is a hiking spot and there is "some other place where you can hike"... Then you talk about 3 hours outside of SF and you can go hike. You have never seen the rest of NYC and its surroundings. We have grandiose National Parks, Upstate New York, Bear Mountain in Harriman State Park is just one hour drive from New York. The Shawangunks (The Gunks) famous for rock climbing, New Paltz, the Catskills and all the mountain regions above, all reachable within one to two hours, or four hours further North in the Adirondacks, with tons and tons of hiking, skiing etc. I know I forgot some regions to mention. I live in NYC for 30 years and I am a hiker, mountain climber and was a technical scuba diver, with all the beaches and dive boats around. From Montauk down to Jersey is an area which is called wreck valley, which is along the coastlines where over 500 cataloged wrecks can be found, from battleships to prohibition times rum-runners. Surfing and watersports are possible on several beaches and you can reach them by subway (Rockaway beach as an example). Well, I let this pass, but I just needed to make that correction. Btw., I live on the UES and I walk to Central Park in less than 15 minutes (brisk walk), right where the summer concerts in the Park are. You really missed some amazing nature when you were visiting for three years! 😁 *HOWEVER: PROPS TO AN OTHERWISW WELL BALANCED SUMMARY!*

[@DeftPol]

I’m moving to SF in a couple months, but from Sydney Australia. Nevertheless, this is really helpful. I was aware of the homelessness issues in SF, but I was a bit surprised to hear how poor the public transportation is. For such a famously progressive place with so many people, it seems weird that the government wouldn’t prioritise an equitable transportation system that negates the need to drive more.

[@stuartaft]

How difficult is it to find a group of friends that match your vibe in SF, for example? Planning on moving there and wondering what meeting people will be like.

[@MichaelGu]

I find it difficult making friends as an adult no matter what city you're in, but you should be able to find people that are into similar interests as you in SF. there's always something going on and the city's large enough to find your niche

[@timby2383]

I found SF to be very cliquey and I had a lot easier time to make friends when I visited NY. Also if you're straight male, you will love NYC more hands down, as SF tend to be a bit sausagy.

[@bayarea4153]

honestly lots of like-minded people make friends, especially at work and at common hangout places. but if you try to find a friend group, you will probably find one if you try hard enough and are open-minded. but if you're an independent thinker with opinions and not just a sheep...good luck lol

[@dennisakoglu2718]

Its almost impossible to make friends here

[@chonyun1991]

thank u for the vid, sick kirkland jacket

[@MichaelGu]

always gotta rep costco :)

[@darkwoodmovies]

Nature (both quality and access) and weather are two things where San Francisco is absolutely unbeatable. I daresay it might be the best region in the whole world if you're only judging on those two features. Everything else... NYC wins by a landslide and it's not even comparable at all. San Francisco is beautiful and has a lovely history and culture though, and the people are very friendly and more approachable. SF is definitely my second favorite city in the USA.

[@Meyerc-yv2bi]

Nah, SF wins by a landslide. NYC is a cesspool.

[@reachsherly]

Spent only 3 days in Manhattan and been living in bay area for 20 yrs. I guess I just got iffy with public transportation in NYC especially subways with big mickey and Minnie 🐁 . Sf has urine smell in some bart stations but I prefer cities surrounding sf ie alameda oakland and San leandro. Less hilly, more parking, good food

[@benmangrum8626]

I think both NYC and SF are great cities but both are really expensive!

[@SwiftySanders]

Yeah I lived in SF for 2 years and not a fan. I am not originally from SF or NYC. If you are black, SF and the bayarea is actively hostile and often racist towards you in a way that NYC is not. There is just a different mindset in NYC vs SF. The crime and homelessness is out of control in SF and Bayarea far beyond the worst of NYC. NYC has way more industry bubbles people could be in or get exposure to (Finance, Fashion, Music, Tech, Broadway, Media etc). SF is primarily all tech and tech adjacent industries. NYC has waaaaay more diversity than SF. Has nothing to do with who you chose to hang with. NYC is a major player in many more diverse industries than SF. NYC has a massive trash problem it needs to deal with. SF housing is totally unaffordable. In NYC you can find deals but thats becoming much harder lately. Good talk btw!! ❤

[@themoonisaspacestation]

Great Vid brother

[@teamthoth]

I used to live in Fairfield 45 mins north and we would escape the heat and spend the day in sf because it was a always 30 degrees cooler.

[@redbirdsaraceno]

you choose your circle for the most part but having or not having much money does play a huge part in what circles you can actually be in or areas you can live in. id lobe to live in sf but thats way too expensive for my budget.

[@jenniferbostic7918]

Did you never leave NYC to see all the nature around it? I lived in SF for 13 years, and NYC now for 12 years. I find the nature around NYC far better and cheaper once you get there (hotels in Napa can be $600 a night). It's easier to get to without a car (Subways, Metro North, Amtrak), and more varied by the seasons. Hudson River Valley, the Berkshires, Long Island Beaches, Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Vermont for skiing, the Cape... so much more variety in a closer proximity. No one really considers "hiking" in Central Park.

[@sslvsme5763]

I was born in sf, raised there for 5 years and came back after 2 to an area 20 minutes outside. Sf honestly I would say is more for a morning person. The sunrise in the morning is great and it’s always refreshing, never get tired of it. I have been accustomed to the weather so I I honestly just wear a regular t shirt. It’s usually 45-55 degrees so it’s not too cold. I’m not sure about nightlife because I’m not even old enough to drink and I don’t even have a car but from what I’ve seen it’s not that crazy. By around 10pm the city starts to fade as the sun is gone and the lights turn on. It feels a little bit sad, “like oh, where all the people go?” 😢. I wouldn’t say they are unsafe to walk though. I’ve walked late at night (11pm-2am) in the hilly areas, downtown, pier, south, it’s very chill just lonesome. Where I live which is around 20 min from sf it’s super safe to walk… not even an expensive neighborhood. I have walked at all times of the day/night. I haven’t been to New York (but I want to) but I would say based on the videos and media I’ve seen, I definitely appreciate SF architecture a lot more… maybe it’s because I was born there. Transportation lately isn’t even that bad. It’s actually free. I only use Bart though to get to sf and in the city I just walk. Embarcadero station going through Chinatown and hills to fisherman’s wharf to me is like 17 minutes walking. A lot of things are accessible by foot. I like their parks and recreational areas or libraries, they are all super clean, green, and relaxing. My fav thing to do is go early morning, sleep at a park for a few hours or just lie there underneath the rising Sun, go to cafe and study, come back to park, library maybe and back to park, then get some boba or drink from a new place to try.

[@ovh992]

Beach: NYC take the subway to Coney Island or Far Rockaway. Hiking: NYC Adirondacks or cross the river to NJ and hike the Palisades.

[@kiezorfc8559]

SF is the Edinburgh Scotland of America both are coastal cities both have hills everywhere and they both have a red bridge

[@sushibar777]

He is wrong that it almost never rains in SF. It almost never rains from sometime in April until sometime in November. It can often rain a lot, as in a real lot in winter. The last few years have been mostly drought years, with the winters being dry, so someone who lived here only one year, with that year being 2021-2022 would experience little rain. In El Nino years it can rain, and rain, and rain. Summers are quite cool with the fog coming in most days. You never get a heat wave more than 3 days long in SF, as in never, ever. By the third day the fog comes back in. Spring and autumn have excellent weather, with most people thinking September to mid-November almost guaranteed to be nice weather.

[@nija1976]

This last winter November 2022-Febuary 2023 was the wettest I've experienced in SF. In saying that, it's not the norm.

[@ryanney-hd5zi]

With i would love to live in sf because of the summer but i would especially miss the cold and winter in nyc and on the north east coast

[@carlsilverman754]

Michael, wise words!

[@DRL1320]

NYC deserves credit for midtown access to the northeast rail corridor and towns and cities up and down its 700 mile length for weekend trips. The Cali coastal routes are pretty. They don’t go to nearly as many appealing cities within a few hours reach. You’d have to get over to Oakland to access them.

[@theonlyalecazam2947]

California is working on high speed rail and Caltrain is electrified now

[@davidsaucedo1020]

U said it never rains in sf but literally every time it says it’s not gonna rain that week it ends up pouring

[@robmarais]

Ok Boston guy here so I’m biased 😅 I love both cities for different reasons, but I share your concerns about the negatives, especially the homeless situation both places (and in Boston as well). Feel free to give Boston a try tho someday.

[@scott5087]

Boston is nice!!

[@roundingcorners]

Native bay area local, visited NYC a variety of times, the last was 3 yrs ago. I find NYC overall has a strong focus of street fashion and the arts. SF had a big art scene in the 80's and 90's but with the cost of real estate and cost of living, it has eliminated the art/music scene to a large extent.

[@dannymcguire3623]

Accurate

[@KristenOckertFineArt]

As an artist with a studio in SF, I can say the arts are very much alive. However, I feel arts have taken a back seat everywhere, not just SF.

[@j134679]

arts moved to Austin

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

After a while no rain gets to be old.

[@kenhoyer8601]

It rains , but in the winter

[@thekristineway]

also really random but your name looks familiar, are you part of any bay area fb groups by chance?

[@sunirmanandhar4100]

Hey, Michael, I have Idea for an Product it is an Super Compact Umbrella that fits in your pocket, will that sell in New York City?, Let me know about your opinion on Rain and Umbrella Culture in New York.

[@MichaelGu]

while it is a cool idea, I'm not sure if it's that compelling in nyc because: 1) there are already small umbrellas that people put in their side pockets for their backpacks or their purses 2) if you forget an umbrella, NYC is so dense that tons of bodegas and street stands every couple blocks sell cheap umbrellas if it's very durable and can withstand a lot of wind, it could still be an interesting product.

[@driverdoug2002]

People who "wear" umbrellas in San Francisco are sky lining themselves as newbies. Either they become projectiles or drip on others in the bus or cafe. Can you say hoodie?

[@darin7150]

The Weather… The Nature… The Environment… The People… This Is What Is Most Important For Me Personally!!!🌴🌃👏🏽🤵🏽🎩✨ Thank You For The Phenomenal Video!!!✨

[@lx95020]

If you kick it in the South Bay (SF) you will get some hot summers....but can get colder during the winter..

[@shubrototiizika6835]

Pointing out a wrong comparison. You mentioned lots of activities are just 3-4 hour drive away from SF. But in comparison, you only mentioned some Brooklyn beaches, Central park hiking etc. There are amazing hiking, lakes, falls, water activities, beaches just 1-3 hour drive away from NYC too(upstate, Long Island, NJ, PA)

[@charlessokolowski3353]

my only HUGE gripe w/ this video is the "its only a 3/4 hour drive from SF" when speaking about nature activities. From NYC you can make it all the way up to maine and all the way down to VA or PA in 3/4 hours. East coast is so much more compact which is a huge plus.

[@ruibai434]

SF is 3 sides surrounded by water and actual beaches. Cross a bridge and you're exposed to endless hiking with amazing shorelines or redwoods within 30minutes. Golden Gate Park is similarly situated in SF as Central Park in NY and GGP is bigger. We also have the Presidio. For water activity you do have to drive a few hours south because it's cold up here.

[@beanpasteposts]

@@ruibai434​​⁠NYC has all of New England at close distance, Montreal is 5-6 hours away, upstate has the Catskill mountains and Adirondacks, etc. Not to mention, NYC is literally an island surrounded by the Atlantic and has its own beaches (Coney, Rockaway, Jones, etc), and all of Long Island, especially the Hamptons. The main diff is that NYC beaches are generally colder and more crowded, and you can’t really go all year round like you can in Cali.

[@sherylb.3197]

I have lived in providence. Pittsburgh. Boston. DC. San Francisco and charlotte. All different vibes!

[@meteorical8036]

Great video! But it's definitely not crucial to have a car in SF. Public transport in SF is far worse than NYC but it's good enough to not need a car. At least in the eastern half of the city. In the western half it's harder.

[@1980dennisefranco]

Busses do ran 24/7 but they only do other main streets ots called the owl lines