What it's like to live in San Francisco (rent, safety, cost of living)

Get 10% off your Ruggable using my code FUNCHUN10, valid for the next month: myruggable.com/FUNCHUN10.
What it’s like to live in San Francisco as a working tech professional in UX design. I cover everything from cost of living, rent, culture, safety of neighborhoods, and public transportation. I moved here right after college and have been here for the past 6 years (crazy how time flies!).
What else do you want to know about living in San Francisco?
✌︎ Connect with me
IG: / chunbuns
Website: chunbuns.com/
✌︎ Design Bootcamps I recommend
➭ Get $1000 off your UX Design course with Springboard with code CHUNBUNSSB1000: www.springboard.com/
➭ DesignLab: share.trydesignlab.com/Christi...
✌︎ Timestamps
0:00 What it’s like to live in SF
0:20 What I love about SF
1:05 Making friends
1:26 Food and Restaurants
1:55 Cost of food
2:18 Bars and Clubs
2:36 Sponsorship (Ruggable)
3:27 Weather
4:17 Things to do in SF (parks)
4:59 Public Transportation
5:29 What it’s like at night
5:47 What I don’t like
6:02 Rent
6:31 Cost of living
7:53 Homelessness
8:31 Safety neighborhoods
8:39 Parking
✌︎ Tools
➭ Video graphics (Canva): partner.canva.com/mWkrZ
✌︎ Camera + Editing
➭ SONY VZ-1 for vloggers: amzn.to/2Ifweal
➭ Editing software: Adobe Premiere Pro
✌︎ Business Inquiries
➭ [e-mail]
FTC: This video is sponsored by Ruggable and the product was gifted. Some of the links are affiliate links which means that I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. Purchasing through affiliate links won’t cost you extra! :)
#liveinsanfrancisco #sanfranciscovlog #ruggablepartner

[@laurenlee8710]

Being here my whole life, it definitely has changed in the past couple of years. You'll see a ton of people blaming either tech or politics for how bad the city has become. It is honestly a little shocking how much it has changed, but there are still some great things about living here, which you highlighted super well in your video. I super agree with your pinned post to NEVER leave anything in your car (people even break in when there's nothing sticking out). Also, if you're looking for pretty scenic views, I recommend Mt. Davidson! It has a better view than Twin Peaks and no tourists! :)

[@Beaheadoeverybody]

I agree but still I love San Francisco a lot as San Francisco is a wonderful modern city with a lot to see I hope San Francisco keep's growing fast and with modernity everyday

[@mocheen4837]

People in San Francisco are very self absorbed and tend to be unhappy in general. I see so many people that are miserable and suffering just to get by. The crime, homelessness and traffic are all factors in the deterioration of the Bay Area.

[@ch10120]

Thank you for the useful information and the cheerful content, Christine :)

[@mariliacorticinho8965]

The difference you said on walking from block to block is so true. I don't live in SF, went there for one day layover, and as I was walking down the hill on my way to the metro it was like a different reality man. I've seen people high on stuff back home in Portugal but seeing someone injecting themselves in front of me was a first. It was crazy man. I don't want to go back. Was hella scary.

[@Gerald155]

for those of you commenting on the homeless crisis, while it is a huge problem here, it is also a huge problem in many urban cities in the US. So many of you come from suburbs where there is a lack of economic diversity and most families are either middle class or upper middle class in terms of their financial status. In a city you’d have much more ethnic diversity which is what creates the economic diversity in a city, so naturally homelessness and poverty exist as a result. This isn’t a problem that is unique to SF. Homeless prevalently exists in all sorts of cities including LA, New York, Detroit, and Baltimore just to name a few. Just know that if you are planning on moving to a city, you will see homelessness regardless of what city you move to. The sad truth is that when moving to a city, it’s pretty much unavoidable.

[@samuelcarrasco3829]

New Yorker here, I've been to Sf maybe 5 or 6 times about 2 weeks at a time each visit and I'll say the homelessness situation is nothing in New York compared to SF. It's very common to see cars with signs begging to not have their windows busted in SF and I've had witnessed and have personal stories of dangerous encounters with mentally ill people I've had on every visit. Don't compare the SF situation to New York the homelessness problem ya got over there is in a different league lol.

[@Gerald155]

@@samuelcarrasco3829 so you’ve been in SF for maybe 12-14 weeks at most? You’re talking to an SF native here 😂 Also if you must know, I’ve lived in Manhattan now for 10 years and the sad reality here is that people can’t be homeless because they make it impossible for you to stay out on the streets. Police confiscate people’s items and force them into shelters and then they just go back on the street because the shelters are terrible. No one wants to be forced to go somewhere. There’s literally a New York Times article on it that I can send to you if you’d like to read up on it. Also, I cant tell you how many times I’ve almost stepped or stepped on human feces in New York. Specially around Hudson River. Im not saying the problem is worse in New York but don’t act like it’s better because it isn’t. New York has its own set of homeless problems. I also wouldn’t say New York is the safest either. As an Asian person I fear for my life here due to the recent horrible attacks on Asian women and elders. Literally people are being pushed into the subways and beaten or stabbed to death. SF and New york aren’t perfect so stop lying to yourself and others.

[@MyWifesSon69]

@@Gerald155 stop making excuses. it’s not normal to have your car broken into to. Your city sucks

[@BMe-ck6fd]

@@Gerald155 so the big difference is that in NY they sweep the homeless into shelters and take away their belongings and in SF we don’t harrass them which lets them continue-great

[@lbuckley42207]

First off Manhattan isn’t nyc it’s a borough in nyc second I’ve lived in nyc my whole life. NYPD isn’t letting to much go on seeing how they almost as big as some countries armies lol. If something happened to you in NYC you weren’t using your common sense.

[@keongs8097]

Such an informational and well thought-out video!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on sf chunss : )

[@chunbuns]

ty ☺

[@saraswatisky3119]

I lived in sf between 94 to 2003. My rent in a five bedroom house was 175 dollars a month, plus 50 for utilities. We lived on Dolores Street near the park. Though I lived in several apartments during that time, the most expensive apartment was 500 a month shared with one other person. The social life of sf was fantastic. I was able to grow in so many ways. I was always employed and had tons of social activities. I learned yoga, tai qi, and massage and traveled the world from there. My roommates were my best friends. We went camping two or three times a year. We never cooked as there was plenty of options. The streets were clean and there was little crime if any. The raves and parties were epic. By 2000 I began to see small changes. Dirtier streets and so on. I moved to Oakland, then left for Miami. Great memories. I love Miami. Not the same, but slower pace and less crowded. Though I miss the nature in California. Too bad it has changed so much.

[@MrMetaylo]

$175 for 5 bedroom…..stop the 🧢

[@justshady]

@@MrMetaylo I think they mean per person so 175+50 x 5 = 1,125. Makes sense now?

[@jacques4446]

MrMetaylo, if only you had half a brain cell. Also, the phase cap was cool like 10 years ago. You must be like 12 and only just learned the phrase 🤣

[@johnlazo4034]

Thanks for the content!

[@isabelangeles9896]

Heyyy! I was literally thinking uh, its been a while since chunbuns uploeaded a vid! checked and you just uploaded this today, yay!!!

[@EasternDreamer615]

I love Alta Plaza park. I enjoyed relaxing there when I was spending time in the city when living in the East Bay. I moved away in early 2019 to go back to college for CS but I'm considering moving back very soon and your content is quite helpful!

[@chunbuns]

Oh and make sure to never leave anything in your car! People will even break in to steal your food leftovers

[@latanyar9377]

Omg!... that's sad...smh

[@tanner8291]

My GF left empty Target bags in her car and the thief’s broke in and stole empty bags lol. It is horrible

[@masusuchi]

Congrats on the 100K subs!

[@chunbuns]

ty ty

[@deanmohamed795]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on living in SF. Yep, I can't agree more on the rental side... Will be there to prepare for my degree and first thing came in my mind 👉🏻 safe place to stay! 😅

[@michelletapham]

Loved this video! I miss living in SF already :’)

[@baldeagle4710]

i really dont understand why it's so expensive - it's not even a nice place to live. bad/foggy weather, bad public transport, homeless problem, urine smell, not enough housing, not enough parking spots, etc. SF gets a reputation for not being racist, but I don't really think that's true.

[@jamesbaxter222]

What are you talking about. Public transit here is better than almost cities except for nyc. I actually like the fact that sf doesn’t take up more valuable real estate for extra parking because then we would live in car hell like Los Angeles. The city certainly doesn’t smell of urine. Not trying to say that people don’t urinate in public but it’s to cold year round for the city to carry a urine smell like nyc carries in the summer. Either you’ve never been to sf or you only visited for a day and frequented market street.

[@TheBieberbe1iber]

@@jamesbaxter222 yea, as someone from Texas I can definitely say the foggy weather is the best part. I can at least walk to the corner store without wanting to kill myself

[@togasoul8812]

I have visited San Fransisco for a month, and I liked the spirit too!

[@user-vy2hr4oj9z]

Hi! I hope to move there soon... Great video!

[@650rcr6]

Awesome vid! They did update the BART with some new trains but sunsetting the old version is taking awhile it seems 😿

[@chunbuns]

some muni trains but most bart trains are still old and smellly :(

[@youngiepie]

i've been waiting for your new video! do you have any plan to come visit korea(again) anytime sooner? :)

[@kc1016]

Hey girl! Just saw the 100K! Congrats!!! I been subscribed and watching you videos for a year now. Ty for sharing your journey will us! (=^.^=)

[@stalks1413]

I lived in San Francisco in 1999 it was paradise! Will NEVER return again. Will keep my memories of a better time.

[@alrifat9419]

OMG 100K SUBS finally. I been watching that counter for ages, just sitting at 99k .

[@chunbuns]

I've been watching that counter with you 😅

[@girlanonymous]

At 8:04 😬😬😬😬😬

[@Rjisawake]

I'm Coming to visit San Fran!!

[@oliverrando6463]

Man la and San Francisco is so nice

[@kiezorfc8559]

It’s like a giant Edinburgh Scotland the cities are very similar loads of hills close to nature and bridges over stretches of water and it’s also expensive to live in Edinburgh that’s the joys of living in the capital of Scotland

[@richgenix]

They have the best weather ever!! Never too hot/never too cold, but foggy. Homes there are kind of old and cramp together,New York vibes. San Franc is rly a different city and much different than Los angales for example, the city isn’t for me unfortunately I prefer LA

[@therndcouple]

New sub here!! Also living in sf with my partner! El techno is a must in sf!!!

[@CrystalBatshon]

LOVE El Techo!!

[@andyc9902]

I just subbed today 🙂 I'm on My CSE Degree journey myself 🙂 Glad to be a new New Sub

[@johnnyquist8362]

For those of us who belong here, San Francisco is the most wonderful place in the world.

[@kiezorfc8559]

Yep even the weather is like Edinburgh 4 seasons in one day lol

[@dexterfitben]

Good luck with it all.

[@alyssarodriguez5865]

Ur very pretty & this video is awesome, I'm from houston texas and I want to travel or maybe live in CA for a month or two just to experience it

[@thomasbrown3793]

I just got back from visiting SF; I'm from Iowa which is one of the flatest parts of the country. The hills in the downtown area blew my mind lol. My first day I was walking down Mission St (maybe) in the Chinatown area and it was so steep it gave me so much anxiety 😵‍💫😂

[@Beaheadoeverybody]

Thanks for the video also I love San Francisco as San Francisco is a wonderful modern city with a lot to see I hope San Francisco keep's growing fast and with modernity everyday

[@quintonteague3250]

Sounds very similar to living in Seattle!

[@muradiye100]

Nice city with all your dreams 🌹🍀👍

[@bigx9963]

Used to go to SF for food, sightsee, and clubs. Not anymore, SF is a dump. Don't want to take a chance getting my car windows broken into. Sad

[@bobbowie9350]

At least it's scenic . LA on the other hand....

[@MrMetaylo]

Report on 300 top US companies found CEOs making an average of $10.6m, with the median worker getting $23,968

[@markthomas9181]

That part, back to my sponsor so I could pay my bills 😂😂😂😂😂😂❤

[@appybee]

Dude that is still so much cheaper than NYC. Rent here post-pandemic is OUTRAGEOUS for what you get!

[@appybee]

In other words, the starting price for a studio in a decent/safe/desirable part of NYC currently is over $3,000 all the way up to $5-6,000/month. Which is insane.

[@gabrielaportillo299]

hi! a curious college student here. Any opinions on the bike infastructure?

[@chunbuns]

there's lots of bikers in the city! you'd want to get an electrical bike though so that the hills don't kill your legs

[@_sparrowhawk]

8:04 Did you ... accidentally bring up POC when discussing homelessness. I'm not a sub, but ... WTAF?

[@KristenAngelica]

Yeah, I’m a sub and enjoy majority of her content but as a POC this stuck out to me and wasn’t appreciated.

[@_sparrowhawk]

@@KristenAngelica She's a POC too, bruh :/ what the...

[@Natalie_stgw]

I’m not sure I understand what the issue is. She said that the area she was talking about is predominantly POC. Idk how that’s offensive, it’s just a fact.

[@_sparrowhawk]

@@Natalie_stgw My question was: what's the connection between POC and homelessness?

[@k1n___]

Could you provide me with pages to rent apartments, please? I am from Argentina!

[@oliverrando6463]

I never been to San Francisco but I been to la

[@anthonyhumphrey2540]

What are the best places to live sf

[@therealrodelbadrena1458]

does living in Sf is much expensive than NYC?

[@ger13nunyah56]

I lived here at excelsior it ok

[@chunkyhellalit6361]

Hayse isn't safe anymore, I just got robbed in front of my apartment 3 weeks ago...

[@yoonfihnsaechao7202]

Eastbay. Sacramento. Sacramento area.

[@scullyedits]

i’m going to visit for a week i thought san francisco was cheap 💀

[@juanmontoya6622]

To really live in SF is like flying above a storm. Anything below that is a struggle or worse. The subsidized being the exception.

[@chunbuns]

yea...life here is hard

[@KittyKat-vb1nd]

Having worked briefly in San Francisco was to an outsider witnessing the true decline of the US. San Francisco, Portland, LA,Seattle are truly disgraceful. How people turn a blind eye to such human decay and social decline is mind boggling. Civilizations always rot from within.

[@maryhh2613]

Thank you for sharing this! Planning on moving to SF in 7-9 months and it sometimes gives me a lot of anxiety. I honestly do love the vibe of the city but the homelessness and crime rate are the main pain points for me -- to the point that I want to create an app which alerts you if you're entering an unsafe neighborhood or if there's recent crimes. T.T It's in a less than a year so I'm excited and scared at the same time. >

[@CrystalBatshon]

aw i'm so sorry to hear that the city gives you anxiety but totally understand where you're coming from. I've lived in / around SF my whole life so I understand how the homelessness and crime can be pain points, especially if you're not used to it (unfortunate this is something to be 'used to'). That being said, as long as i avoid certain neighborhoods, there's been only a small handful of times I've truly felt unsafe, which is comparable to any major city. If you're interested in alerts, I would look into the app Citizen, which updates in real time about crime going on. Good luck and excited for you to experience the magic of this city when you get here! P.S. i create a ton of SF contents if you need any recs :)

[@maryhh2613]

@@CrystalBatshon aww, thank you for responding and the recommendations! And for sure, I think the more I get to know SF the less anxious I’ll be thank you for creating helpful content! ^^

[@Lutessa853]

Hi Mary, good luck on your move to SF and hope you'll like it. Check out areas near SF too, might be cheaper like Sacramento and Stockton. Even L.A if you can stand the heat. I'm an SF native and it's really nice out here, great people and lots to do (costly though).

[@zubayerhossain3397]

Can you talk about Oakland? Is it too expensive to live there?

[@Lazullien]

Dude the whole bay area is expensive, oakland's a bit better than sf but it"s dangerous as crap

[@hellomybada]

I want to live in SF !! what’s ur mbti?

[@markopena1754]

As an SF native of 40 years (and continue to live in SF, until next year-moving to Nashville), I can honestly say that SF has made a turn for the worse. It started with the dot-comers, then the tech industry, and now the whole “woke” culture. SF has seriously lost its glory it had its hay day, in the 80s and 90s. It was a completely different town then-a welcoming and not to mention MUCH, MUCH cleaner city, accepting of ideas, ways of life, and cultures without discrimination or hatred. Nowadays, I feel you have to “think” a certain way to live in SF, if you catch my drift. SF has always been famous for its love for counterculture, but back then, it was still accepting of lifestyles counter to those counterculture ideals. My parents have been here since the 60s and both have expressed the same sentiment. My parents lived in the Mission in the 60s, I grew up in the Sunset, went to elementary school in Pac Heights, and high school off of Geary, and SF STATE for college, so I feel that my view point carries a lot of weight. Many people that I grew up with also share this same view, that SF is really unrecognizable and unnoticeable to what it once was. I get it-change is inevitable, for every growing city, but SF again, has changed for the worse, as far as cost of living, quality of life, cleanliness, and just overall “feel” of the city.

[@elizabeth4689]

weren't the hippies the typical californian from the 60s until the late 70s? back then it was anti corporate america, anti war in vietnam... you're always forced to conform

[@markopena1754]

@@elizabeth4689 yeah there was definitely that movement in the late 60s and 70s, but like I said in my comment above, even though there was that push for acceptance of counter cultures, in the 80s and 90s, people were still accepting of ideals that were alternative to those of counter cultures. SF was a genuine melting pot of ideas, ideals, and cultures, whereas now, it’s a certain way or the highway. A big part of that reason is the prominence and the presence of the tech industry. You can ask anyone who grew up in SF during that time and I guarantee you they’ll tell you the same exact thing.

[@buda3d2007]

@@markopena1754 it was a melting pot, not a monoculture that states you have to following along and not miss a beat like now.

[@norwegianblue2017]

@@elizabeth4689 Hippies were not your typical Californian, ever. Just the typical stereotype. From 1967 to 1999 we had all conservative, Republican governors in California except for 8 years under Jerry Brown Sr. (D). Southern California was considered a conservative stronghold.

[@Lutessa853]

I'm nearing 30 and a San Francisco native. I gotta say, the city has changed due to politics. Despite that, there are still alot of people staying in SF, which speaks to how loyal the folks are. I can see the future getting brighter if the right moves are made. Good luck to my fellow SF people, stay safe.

[@firouz4296]

I am trying to connect to Pre School teachers in SF because I have an offer to come and work in San Fran. I have so many questions... Can anyone help?

[@gnonymouse]

There are kids in SF?

[@briandunn9869]

If you’re a WOKE teacher do not come we do not want you here !!!!

[@RH-mk3rp]

0:34 is a very nice portrait, fit for that clown

[@mero060888]

I wanted to move to SF, I am in South Bay right now. I have been apartment hunting for 2 months. I focused on FiDi, east cut, mission bay, Potrero hill, dog patch, north and south beach. I wanted high rise because of safety access and a relatively new building so there’s no heating plumbing etc issues. I can’t afford a single building there and any building that I could afford .. it doesn’t have AC. What is THAT about? It was 80 degrees yesterday and I’m standing in an apartment which doesn’t have AC.. Before South Bay I was in Berkeley. I was punched in the face by a man at 9am randomly at a pavement. That obviously scarred me. Yesterday I was touring this building on Folsom street and right before entering there was a man walking in front of me and a man and woman riding their e bike. The woman was a little fast and I KID YOU NOT that man just threw his fist towards her face but she miraculously missed and he started screaming at her curses for riding on the pavement. Needless to say I’m staying in South Bay 😵‍💫 South Bay is expensive as well but at least i feel safe running errands. Also the Richmond sunset pac heights marina etc areas are $3500+ for a 1bd and the buildings and interior is OLD. (I don’t like east bay don’t come at me 😔)

[@norwegianblue2017]

I grew up in the Bay Area and you couldn't pay me to move there today. At least, nowhere near the heart of it. It used to be so great.

[@dulceaidavp9716]

Girl I hear you, I got a job offer in SF. But I don’t feel safe moving there. So im probably moving to Daly city or Oakland!

[@cwhonkhonk]

@@dulceaidavp9716 lol Oakland is no way safer than SF.

[@brandonjackson6696]

You can’t really walk much around Nyc just saying lol especially like going from Queen’s to time square etc. It can be a headache for newbies to NYC.The public transport is also outdated and Ubers I think are way more expensive. In general getting around in NYC is not much better

[@cathyhu5996]

why are you lying bruh

[@cwhonkhonk]

I agree, NYC is not so easy to get around especially if you're outside Manhattan.

[@talldude5841]

I would bet my house you will not be in San Francisco in five more years. My brother has lived there for over thirty years and I have been out there to visit him about 10 times. Two years ago I went out there and could not believe how bad it has gotten. Homeless people everywhere, human waste on the sidewalks along with used needles. And now he wants me to go out to in the spring to help him move back to his home state of safe and beautiful Ohio. I am not lookin forward to it. San Francisco is a terrible place to live. And you have not seen nothing yet.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Yeah but Ohio?

[@duxthedriver]

2:05 in croatia we have tax 25%, and pay is around 700 do 1200 euros, and more depends on what type of work u do.. they are stealing from nation we have so many optios we could be a rich country cuz of resources and tourism at adriatic sea

[@MrMetaylo]

🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Wreevesjr]

"People of cor" lol

[@lavaughnblanding3968]

Wow the cost is insane and disgusting outside environment unfortunately

[@tristenvukelich5280]

Homelessness is a direct effect of awful governance. Open air drug market’s and a complete lack of mental health service’s. Ya it’s expensive but healthy able folks move. Addicts and mental health sufferers stay in the streets

[@llu2736]

Omg, this is sounds terrible, maybe you should move to europe, u might be happier but of course the salary will be so much lower than SF

[@oldsalt8011]

Pelosi bought a 25 million dollar home in Florida. She is getting out of dodge.

[@CH-hr3hp]

I lived in SF from the late 80s to 2020. I'm sorry, but the city is a dump. I am personally SHOCKED that you are normalizing and excusing THIRD WORLD LIVING at 8 minutes and 30 seconds into your video you just accept stepping in human feces as part of living in the city!?!?! You also left out a very significant detail, if you park on the street, your car will be broken into, 100%. I had a garage and still was broken into 3 times. I finally stated leaving my windows down and the doors unlocked so the thieves could rifle through my car without causing hundreds of dollars of damage. I will agree the food is amazing, but even that has deteriorated because there are fewer and fewer workers willing to commute for low wages. Good luck, I hope you save the city... but please raise your standards!

[@bobbowie9350]

LA -SF people are delusional.

[@Khleochantal]

I agree- I was thinking of subscribing until I heard such a lack of empathy coming from someone not only a woman but a POC as well? It's so weird hearing people live in their gentrified beautiful apartments blocks away from people dying on the street. Does seeing how badly others have it make people feel superior?

[@bayareadrifter415]

Every city has its problems but San Francisco has a beauty that outweighs the bad. You want a city that's a total dump come to Stockton California. I grew up in San Francisco since 1985 and it is a city unlike any other.

[@ckrgksdkrak]

The glory days of SF are over, people bandwagon’ing now are getting a raw deal/delusional.

[@bayareadrifter415]

@@ckrgksdkrak exactly

[@yadanalin]

Did she move? Lols

[@abrilmoreno99]

00:12 wow, in Mexico is ilegal to modify the national flag

[@topraman2]

What's the connection between ppl of color and homelessness? Not sure what you're implying here...

[@richardbarba2736]

Wow wow wow you are super cute!

[@leafm1181]

trying to be interesting while working in tech ... lol.

[@janetairlines1351]

But, *FORCED* 💉💉

[@janetairlines1351]

@@mewojdjdj3946 what does that have to do with *FORCED* 💉?

[@janetairlines1351]

@@mewojdjdj3946 huh?

[@anthonyhumphrey2540]

Are you single

[@togasoul8812]

I have visited San Fransisco for a month, and I liked the spirit too!