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Just to illustrate the difference in urbanity between NYC and everywhere else in North America-
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not ok
There are 4.3 million people living in high densities in NYC (and this is not including the suburbs in NJ, where there are a couple hundred thousand people living at such density).
In contrast, there are around 70k people living in such density in SF.
So I was probably underestimating the difference. There are probably around 65 times as many people living in high density urban environments in the NYC area as compared to the SF area. The difference is so gigantic, that SF's relative level of urbanity and density compared to LA is essentially irrelevent.
If you're moving to SF, and NYC is in the mix, your move will almost certainly be for reasons that have zero to do with urbanity/density.
Just to illustrate the difference in urbanity between NYC and everywhere else in North America-
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not ok
There are 4.3 million people living in high densities in NYC (and this is not including the suburbs in NJ, where there are a couple hundred thousand people living at such density).
In contrast, there are around 70k people living in such density in SF.
So I was probably underestimating the difference. There are probably around 65 times as many people living in high density urban environments in the NYC area as compared to the SF area. The difference is so gigantic, that SF's relative level of urbanity and density compared to LA is essentially irrelevent.
If you're moving to SF, and NYC is in the mix, your move will almost certainly be for reasons that have zero to do with urbanity/density.
Well obviously one is not gonna move from NY to SF for better urbanity. But they might choose SF if they want better urbanity than LA, and better access to nature than NY.
Climate is also a factor here. SF is arguably the only mild weather city in the country with a great (or at least solid) urban core.
I don't know Los Angeles all that well so for the interim time period will go with San Francisco as the default answer since I know it pretty well and generally like the city for what it is. I also like the surrounding areas a lot too; Carmel Valley, Monterrey, Big Sur, Sausalito, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz beach, most of Marin, the Redwoods, a few hours north Joshua Tree and Mount Shasta, a few hours East there is Tahoe, the Wild West (in NV surrounding Carson City and Reno). The Bay Area suburbs are pretty nice all around too.
I know Los Angeles only through limited exposure, have liked what I have seen so far but haven't seen enough to formulate an opinion on the place yet.
Also, I live in Miami and San Francisco is a whole different type of city than Miami (the exact polar opposite in every single way possible), so I would imagine it would be a lot of fun to live in a place like that and take in a whole new culture and different way of life. It would be an experience to say the least.
That being said, I prefer San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area and prefer San Diego best in California. So this comparison is basically the edge to my second choice in California for the time being.
Well obviously one is not gonna move from NY to SF for better urbanity. But they might choose SF if they want better urbanity than LA, and better access to nature than NY.
Climate is also a factor here. SF is arguably the only mild weather city in the country with a great (or at least solid) urban core.
I truly wonder how many people who are planning to move look at density as the deciding factor...there are SO many more important things to consider. Why would it matter to someone how many people per square mile live in the area? The only place I've found that density is important is online.
I truly wonder how many people who are planning to move look at density as the deciding factor...there are SO many more important things to consider. Why would it matter to someone how many people per square mile live in the area? The only place I've found that density is important is online.
Agreed. And denser doesn't always mean better. Manhattan is 70k people psm. Does that mean that a city (or city center) with 100k psm (eg Hong Kong) will necessarily provide a better urban experience, or a city with 30k psm (eg Central London) necessarily a worse one? Even for urban purists, the point where you draw the line for the best balance of urbanity and livability is a matter of individual preference and priorities.
If money was no object, I would have a house in Santa Monica (walkable and good public schools, soon to have Metro access) and a vacation condo in northeast SF so I can take advantage of the unique offerings of SF. I just think Southern California is a more interesting place to live permanently.
Agreed. And denser doesn't always mean better. Manhattan is 70k people psm. Does that mean that a city (or city center) with 100k psm (eg Hong Kong) will necessarily provide a better urban experience, or a city with 30k psm (eg Central London) necessarily a worse one? Even for urban purists, the point where you draw the line for the best balance of urbanity and livability is a matter of individual preference and priorities.
There really isn't much noticeable difference in the above scenarios...plus everyone has different feelings about living in density. Tokyo, NYC, and London, although great cities, just are not for everyone.
If money was no object, then I'd live in both, and have homes in NYC, CHI, MIA, and every single other city I can think of and go between all those homes.
Also, I'd own a whole lot of banks and invest in lots of business ventures.
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There really isn't much noticeable difference in the above scenarios...plus everyone has different feelings about living in density. Tokyo, NYC, and London, although great cities, just are not for everyone.
