San Francisco compared to Dallas (market, size, expensive, transportation)

[Vanderbiltgrad]

SF would be even better if didn't cost you such much to live in the city plus the ridiculous tax rates.

[Ebck120]

Originally Posted by Vanderbiltgrad

SF would be even better if didn't cost you such much to live in the city plus the ridiculous tax rates.

But there are enough people that make enough to enjoy it. Demand = high costs

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by Waterdragon8212

While we may be a ways from being there, it feels like Dallas is trending in this direction. I know a number of couples who can't afford a home with $100,000 combined income in this city. Especially if they've had to take out loans for school to get them to that earning bracket. I also know a lot of 30 and 40 something year old folks who can't get a job for over $40k to save their lives (not for lack of trying or education). Not to mention the rising cost of homes and how that factors in. Five years ago, it was relatively easy to find a home for sub-$200K in a good neighborhood with good schools - it's a lot harder now.

Dallas may not be as expensive as SF yet, but the gap sure seems to be narrowing. Though, on the plus side, as EDS mentioned, you can get a LOT more house for your money here - especially on the higher end of the market. We had friends that bought on the SF peninsula right after the housing crash - 1025 sqft, 1 bathroom, and over a million dollars - and they thought they got a bargain!

Not even close. You can live in a really nice suburb in dallas for around 300k. Gets you jack squat in San Fran and most coastal cities. Oh, you don't want to commute? Guess what you have to commute in every city.

And you get way more house for your money in dallas. I will acknowledge there are probably less high paying jobs.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by DTXman34

Sounds very familiar. A certain city in Texas acts the same way towards Dallas and other cities in the state.

Oh geez. Seriously, how many Austinites have you met and how often do you meet them? And I am the only person here who is remotely an Austin homer, so don't say this board.

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by DTXman34

Sounds very familiar. A certain city in Texas acts the same way towards Dallas and other cities in the state.

Dallas is better than that city in many aspects.

[Flightoficarus87]

Haven't been to Dallas (closest thing to a visit is a layover at DFW, lol), but two things I noticed while in SF a few weeks ago that were different in my experience.

1. Gas - I drove to SF (from Seattle). I had no issues finding a gas station in the city proper, but then again, I mainly noticed them in the less dense areas of town (I stayed in the NW part of the city).

2. Fast food - If we're talking chain fast food (McDonalds, Subway, etc.), then yes, I did not notice very much of this in the city proper myself (They do have an In-N-Out!). But SF is full of amazing non-chain fast food/inexpensive eats. Case in point - the Mission District taquerias!

Anyways, glad to hear you had a good time OP. I may dare call SF my favorite US city after visiting. Too bad about it's COL!!!

[Zambon]

Originally Posted by platon20

As a long time Dallas resident I had a chance to visit SF recently.

Overall my feeling is that I would move there in a heartbeat if I had the money. Unfreakingbelievable!

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Obviously cost of living is SF >>>>> DFW. A 2000 square foot house in SF or the surrounding suburbs is at least double the cost of a comparable house in DFW.

2. No gas stations at all in SF. It's insane to have a car there. Uber or BART system is a must. Otherwise you have to pay $50 a day for parking (which you can't even find because there's not enough of it)

3. SF scenery >>>>> DFW. Despite the fact that there is a tight landlocked area, SF has chosen to limit the amount of construction/concrete that goes up whereas there is no limit in DFW. SF has rolling mountains and hills and FORESTED areas within the city limits! There are long stretches of roads going thru dense forested areas within 5 miles of downtown SF.

4. SF has a much more healthy and athletic population. There are literally THOUSANDS of people riding bicycles on a daily basis there. The levels of obesity in SF are much lower. Obviously weather plays a role and it's hard to ride your bike when it's 105 outside.

5. Fast food is virtually non-existent in SF. I'm not sure if there's some kind of ordinance in SF banning fast food or if the rents are so high that no fast food joints can afford it.

6. Diversity is obviously much higher in SF. There was an awesome moment I had at the Golden Gate bridge. While taking a selfie with my family I could hear at least 7 distinct languages from other families doing the same thing.

Overall I was struck by how "cosmopolitan" SF is compared to Dallas. DFW feels provincial by comparson despite the huge increase in the hispanic population over the last few decades.

Of course San Francisco Bay is a better metro than Dallas, what did you expect? Other than cost of living, the Bay Area is better than Dallas in every measurable way.

[fieldm]

Which has better nightlife?

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by platon20

As a long time Dallas resident I had a chance to visit SF recently.

Overall my feeling is that I would move there in a heartbeat if I had the money. Unfreakingbelievable!

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Obviously cost of living is SF >>>>> DFW. A 2000 square foot house in SF or the surrounding suburbs is at least double the cost of a comparable house in DFW.

2. No gas stations at all in SF. It's insane to have a car there. Uber or BART system is a must. Otherwise you have to pay $50 a day for parking (which you can't even find because there's not enough of it)

3. SF scenery >>>>> DFW. Despite the fact that there is a tight landlocked area, SF has chosen to limit the amount of construction/concrete that goes up whereas there is no limit in DFW. SF has rolling mountains and hills and FORESTED areas within the city limits! There are long stretches of roads going thru dense forested areas within 5 miles of downtown SF.

4. SF has a much more healthy and athletic population. There are literally THOUSANDS of people riding bicycles on a daily basis there. The levels of obesity in SF are much lower. Obviously weather plays a role and it's hard to ride your bike when it's 105 outside.

5. Fast food is virtually non-existent in SF. I'm not sure if there's some kind of ordinance in SF banning fast food or if the rents are so high that no fast food joints can afford it.

6. Diversity is obviously much higher in SF. There was an awesome moment I had at the Golden Gate bridge. While taking a selfie with my family I could hear at least 7 distinct languages from other families doing the same thing.

Overall I was struck by how "cosmopolitan" SF is compared to Dallas. DFW feels provincial by comparson despite the huge increase in the hispanic population over the last few decades.

Yes, SF is amazing but you are vastly underrating the price differential on housing between SF and Dallas, it's probably at least 4 times more expensive to buy in SF....it only makes sense to live in SF or the nicer Bay area if you are wealthy or if you don't have a great desire to own and live in a large house with large yard.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

Yes, SF is amazing but you are vastly underrating the price differential on housing between SF and Dallas, it's probably at least 4 times more expensive to buy in SF....it only makes sense to live in SF or the nicer Bay area if you are wealthy or if you don't have a great desire to own and live in a large house with large yard.

The COL thing is always hard for me to understand. 300k probably gets you something decent in Dallas. I don't even know if 600k gets you anything comparable in the Bay Area.