Recent Grad in SF? Tips & Action Items
Basic life hacks and words of caution, advice, and encouragement from a 2015 university grad and 1.5-year SF resident.
1. Housing.
Accommodation in SF is a timing game. What you should know is it’s one of the most expensive housing areas in the country, and it’s not just the nice places that are expensive. You probably won’t find an apartment or room that’s affordable by midwestern/Southern standards; they just don’t exist. If you are looking for something in the $700–1000 range, you may be to snag couch space in a living room. Otherwise, expect to pay $1600-$2400 for a single room in a shared apartment. The further from FiDi/SOMA you go, the more affordable and spacious it gets. But remember that SF is a small city, and you don’t need to live physically close to where you work in order to have a short commute; learn the Muni schedule, as it is often much faster than Uber/Lyft during rush hour!
Action items: Decide whether you prioritize walking distance or space. The further from FiDi/SOMA you go, the more space and privacy you will get for your buck. However, these places are also likely to be less modern than some of the new apartments downtown.
2. Transportation.
Don’t get a car or bring a car to the city. If you have one, then that will obviously be a factor in your housing decisions, although it is unlikely that you will drive to work as parking downtown runs from $30+ per day. The economics are simply in favor of relying on Uber/Lyft or public transportation for your daily commute.
Action items: Get to know the Muni schedule. The trains are MUCH faster than any ride share during rush hour. Seriously, Bush St. and other streets surrounding Market are parking lots from 5:30–6:30pm. The buses are not comfortable, but they are reliable and again, faster than driving during peak hours.
3. Meals. The Bay Area is full of amazing food — which can get pretty overwhelming and expensive. One tip: Stick to specific foods and just eating those on a regular basis. That way, you’ll be changing it up when you eat out with friends or go over to a dinner party, and you’ll save yourself the headache of thinking about meal plans and recipes. Don’t worry — if you get bored, excitement comes in switching up whatever your selected foods are every few weeks.
Action items: Pick 5 foods that represent an affordable, balanced diet and eat only those for solitary meals over the next week. Use meals with others as a chance to change it up, so order something else when you go out with friends or colleagues.
4. News.
Staying informed impresses your bosses and colleagues and saves a lot of awkward silences in social situations. On a daily basis, update yourself on at least one thing that happened globally that day. Reading the news may seem easy in theory but in my experience it ends up playing second fiddle to Facebook, Instagram, and TV when you depart a draining day at the office. Make news part of your commute. There are several free news sources that provide articles or summaries that will help you stay informed. I like The Skimm for a fun summary, and find Financial Times (1–2 free articles per day) articles easy to read.
Action items: Subscribe to theSkimm. (Disclaimer: I have no affiliation. Not even a SkimmAmbassador)
5. Exercise.
Everyone has a different exercise routine, if they have one at all. I’m not a doctor but recommend some form of exercise as a way to stay happy and healthy. I personally find the regularity and endorphins essential for my mental health. In entering the workforce, it’s important that you don’t let work come in the way of something regular — because work in many different forms (office time, happy hours with colleagues, networking events, team dinners, etc) WILL rob you of a schedule if you’re not insistent and mindful. I made the mistake of worrying too much about what my colleagues would think if I skipped some sort of work event for a workout, but at the end of the day I think it breeds respect, as long as you show enough interest in office events overall.
Action items: Pick a workout routine. It can be 5 minutes, it can be 2 hours. It can be daily, it can be 2–3 times per week. Whatever it is, stick to it but more importantly, stick to your guns when work in its many forms (office time, happy hours, etc) tries to get in the way. Don’t worry, long run your colleagues will respect your focus. If you still feel uncomfortable, consider inviting your colleagues to work out with you. It’s always easier to excuse yourself if you’re leaving the office with someone else.
Also, consider joining a gym. I’m part of SF Fitness, which charges $80/month but gives me access to 3 facilities across the city (Fillmore, Castro, SOMA) and unlimited Les Mills fitness classes (strength, circuits, Zumba, etc) taught by high-quality instructors. Equinox is a high-end gym that I’ve never been to but members seem to love. I’ve also heard great things about Crunch. If you’re looking for something very cheap, there are 24 Fitness gyms ALL across the city, although be warned that the fitness classes often aren’t as high-quality as some of the other gyms.
6. Fun.
Happy hours and brunch are classics for weekend fun. I really would recommend partaking in happy hour at least once a week, since it is a great way to either catch up with people you know already, learn more about your colleagues, and even meet new people. And all at an affordable price, since SF (and I’m sure other major cities) offers some pretty sweet discounts if you know where to look.
Action items: Commit to a happy hour each week. Use it as a chance to a) catch up with friends, b) bond with colleagues, pr c) meet new people (take a friend so this is less intimidating). I won’t mention specific places (feel free to ask), but SOMA is chock full of happy hour spots since it is the city’s tech hub, as is FiDi since it serves the early-departing West Coast finance crowd. But don’t overlook happy hours closer to the residential areas. Castro has some *incredible* deals, as does the Mission, and you’ll escape the stuffy/professional vibes of SOMA or FiDi by going to either of these areas.
You could also consider committing to meet 1 new person or catch up with an old friend each weekend. I know this may seem daunting. I was weary at the prospect of working at something else besides my office tasks after a 60+ hour work week. But it pays dividends in expanding your social circle here in the city and actually proves a refreshing way to escape the work bubble.
7. Dating.
This item deserves an article in itself, so I’ll keep it brief. Know that the scene is dominated by dating apps, and it is neither embarrassing nor unusual to have several downloaded on your phone.
Action items: If you’re looking to date soon, download Coffee Meets Bagel or The League for more curated matches or Tinder for a wider selection. (No assessment of quality here, just a reflection on the structure of each app).
8. Apps.
SF is the gold standard for app-based living. I get my groceries delivered through Instacart, get rush items delivered through Postmates, rely on Uber and Lyft (as well as muni) for transportation, and occasionally get meals delivered through Munchery or Grubhub. Once you get attached it’s hard to go back, but these really are a perk of SF living. My advice is to avoid being selective about your apps — choosing Lyft over Uber on principle, for instance. Use the competitive market conditions to your advantage — all of these apps are generally affordable and often run promotions!
Action items: Download whatever apps you think you’ll need, based on your lifestyle. Any time you want to get somewhere, check both Uber (or Uber Pool) and Lyft (or Lyft Line), since often their prices can vary dramatically depending on how many drivers are on the road for each app at that time.
Key takeaway — You don’t need to go to Outside Lands, take weekend trips to Napa, or dine at a different restaurant every week to set up a stable and satisfactory life in San Francisco. I’ve provided just a few suggestions, but everyone finds their own path. I’m only just beginning to find mine, 18 months after arrival.