can someone tell me why anyone would ever want to live in SF? (San Francisco: neighborhoods, living)

[YoungTraveler2011]

i've visited several times. its nice to look at but there are far too many negatives.

you can't really drive the same way you can in LA and public transportation sucks. taking the bus? no thanks. if it doesn't have a proper metro system, it sucks. it has to be like NYC.

so you can't drive and the public transportation sucks.

and then u add the fact that it's wayyyy too hilly so good luck walking a couple of blocks in 70 degree hills let alone ride your bike.

there are other negatives like weather, homeless people, cost, etc. but those everyone is already aware of.

i just dont know what the appeal is to the city.

[comingbacktocali]

for some, the weather is ideal. i love the weather here year round. i do not like hot and humid summers. i live in an area that is clear and sunny most days. i rarely use heat and i don't have AC.

the city is stunningly beautiful but i suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

indeed, it is expensive to live here. i cannot argue that point.

for some the public transit is just fine. others drive. others bike just fine and can avoid the hills when possible.

many people cannot fathom living many places. so, just let people enjoy what they want.

[mstnghu2]

I love visiting San Francisco but I also wouldn't want to live there. It's beautiful from a distance, but at street level it's downright gritty and rundown in many areas. I actually agree with a lot of the negative perceptions the OP has. I still like many more things about the city than I dislike though.

The fact is though that SF is only 49 sq. miles, which is only a tiny little portion of the Bay Area. The Bay Area as a whole is a great place to live despite the congestion/traffic and high cost of living. Most of the Bay Area also has vastly better weather than SF itself.

[Ruth4Truth]

Moderator cut: see note

My fave area is around GG Park and the Richmond District; flat, great for walking, lots of Russians and Russian food, good Chinese restaurants, too, and last, but by no means least, the Beach! I like the Embarcadero area downtown, too. And next time I'm over there, I need to check out the Presidio.

So much to do, so much to see. If you think SF has nothing to offer, life in Seattle a few years. That'll cure you of your myopia.

[MauiPartTimer]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

i've visited several times. its nice to look at but there are far too many negatives.

you can't really drive the same way you can in LA and public transportation sucks. taking the bus? no thanks. if it doesn't have a proper metro system, it sucks. it has to be like NYC.

so you can't drive and the public transportation sucks.

and then u add the fact that it's wayyyy too hilly so good luck walking a couple of blocks in 70 degree hills let alone ride your bike.

there are other negatives like weather, homeless people, cost, etc. but those everyone is already aware of.

i just dont know what the appeal is to the city.

I was reading without reading the OP's location thinking "Only someone from L.A. would write this."

• One of the best things about of SF is not having to drive everywhere. Since many people often only use them for road trips, they can use rideshare services and don't have to even own a car.
• Public transportation could always be better, but is pretty damn good, IMO. Between street cars, buses, BART and cable cars, you can get in/out/around SF efficiently.
• SF is a VERY walkable city, hills and all. I walk the hills nearly every day. It beats the hell out of driving to a gym just to get a stair-climber.
• I'll give you that bicycles are pretty impractical in the hilly areas, but as said about, the entire city isn't hilly

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by MauiPartTimer

• One of the best things about of SF is not having to drive everywhere. Since many people often only use them for road trips, they can use rideshare services and don't have to even own a car.
• Public transportation could always be better, but is pretty damn good, IMO. Between street cars, buses, BART and cable cars, you can get in/out/around SF efficiently.
  [*]SF is a VERY walkable city, hills and all. I walk the hills nearly every day. It beats the hell out of driving to a gym just to get a stair-climber.
• I'll give you that bicycles are pretty impractical in the hilly areas, but as said about, the entire city isn't hilly

Plus, there are all those cool hidden stairways and little short-cut paths between neighborhoods, some really scenic ones! SF is great to explore on foot that way.

Definitely, one of the city's pluses is that it's not over-run with freeways. It's the anti-LA, and that's a good thing.

[Chuck5000]

Fantastic parks, it's really the only thing I miss since I moved to the 'burbs. The hills create great views. Yes, the transit situation is surprisingly bad.

Air currents keep the air fresh, especially in the foggy parts of the city. The fog rolling in is spectacular, I never tired of watching it.

If you're complaining about homeless people, that's a national problem, and you really don't belong in a city then. Stick to where your sensibilities won't be offended by human suffering. Good luck on that one.

[justmeinca]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

i've visited several times. its nice to look at but there are far too many negatives.

you can't really drive the same way you can in LA and public transportation sucks. taking the bus? no thanks. if it doesn't have a proper metro system, it sucks. it has to be like NYC.

so you can't drive and the public transportation sucks.

and then u add the fact that it's wayyyy too hilly so good luck walking a couple of blocks in 70 degree hills let alone ride your bike.

there are other negatives like weather, homeless people, cost, etc. but those everyone is already aware of.

i just dont know what the appeal is to the city.

When you grow up you will understand.

[Oakformonday]

Pretty subjective. I prefer Oakland over SF. Varied reasons that are personal to me. OP, stop worrying what others think of you!!! Relax. It's okay to not like a city for whatever reason. Heck, it's not like SF is exactly begging for MORE people. LOL

[ambient]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

i've visited several times. its nice to look at but there are far too many negatives.

you can't really drive the same way you can in LA and public transportation sucks. taking the bus? no thanks. if it doesn't have a proper metro system, it sucks. it has to be like NYC.

so you can't drive and the public transportation sucks.

and then u add the fact that it's wayyyy too hilly so good luck walking a couple of blocks in 70 degree hills let alone ride your bike.

there are other negatives like weather, homeless people, cost, etc. but those everyone is already aware of.

i just dont know what the appeal is to the city.

Because they work for a financial or technology firm during a huge economic boom time and will make far more money a year than you'll see in a decade.