Moving is one of the most stressful processes a person can go through, especially if moving to a new city. If you are moving to San Francisco with kids, that stress multiplies. You will have to get creative, plan ahead, and make sure to prepare your kids for this new chapter in their lives. They will need your help and support to accept and embrace this change.
If you are considering relocating to the Bay Area with your youngsters, don’t stress in advance. We’re here to give you valuable tips to help you and your family go through this process smoothly. We’ve also prepared information about San Francisco that every parent must know. Enjoy!
Challenges for families in San Francisco
The biggest challenge of living in San Francisco is the cost of living. As you probably already know, San Francisco is one of the worlds’ most expensive cities. This can come as quite a shock, and it will take some time to get used to, especially if you are moving from a small town.
Living in an expensive city means
that housing costs are high, too. Maybe you are one of the lucky people as you’re in the process of
purchasing a dream home for your family. On the other hand, you might be planning on renting. Whatever the case,
brace yourself for some steep real estate prices.
Get to know the public transportation
Another challenge of moving to San Francisco with kids is commuting. As this is a big and densely populated city, walking around can be quite a task, especially if your kid(s) are still in strollers.
San Francisco is Famous for its steep streets and cable cars.
You will probably need to use public transportation, and here are the options you’ll have in the Bay Area:
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Cable cars – Almost everyone’s first association to San Francisco. They are known as Muni Metro, and they’ll help you climb those famous steep hills.
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Buses – If you are a fan of traditional public transportation, you’ll be happy to hear that buses operate quite well in San Francisco.
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Ferry – It’s a very scenic ride, and it can take you to Sausalito.
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BART – Bay Area Rapid Transit is the name for public trains in San Francisco. They are well connected, and you can quickly get from one part of the city to another.
Find a place in a family-friendly neighborhood
When moving to San Francisco with kids, you need to focus on finding a family-friendly neighborhood. Luckily, San Francisco has plenty of them. Choosing one will solely depend on your budget and financial possibilities.
Make sure to research the neighborhoods you’re interested in, especially if you are
buying your first home in California. You will want
amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, and parks in your proximity. Most importantly, make sure to find a place with a good school nearby.
Make moving to San Francisco with kids easy
The most important thing to do is notify your kids about the move as soon as you decide. You want to give them as much time as you can to process and prepare for this change. Talk with them, answer all their questions, and make sure they feel they are being listened to and supported. As stressful as moving might be for you, remember that it can be much worse for your kids.
Make sure to involve your kids in the moving process. You can turn packing into a game by making up different challenges for your kids. This will
When it comes to the move itself, you want to make it fun and exciting for your kids. Make sure to involve them in the process. Depending on their age, you can dedicate different tasks to them.
For example, they can be in charge of packing their toys and deciding what to bring. If they are a bit older, they can take care of the family pet while you are packing and preparing. Another good idea is to give them a “day off” and schedule a pre-move play date with their friends. It will give them a chance to properly say goodbye.
Hire experienced movers
The key to a stress-free and successful San Francisco move lies in
hiring professional movers in California. Imagine having to pack and load boxes into a moving truck while taking care of your small kids at the same time. Sounds tiring, frustrating, and impossible. Therefore, hire movers!
Experts will make the process easy, and you’ll be able to
dedicate your time to more important things. Why not spend your moving day saying goodbye to your old neighborhood or going out with your kids? It sure beats dealing with something that professionals can do much quicker and better than you.
Your kids will love growing up in San Francisco
You can go to the beach, enjoy hiking, or take them to one of many playgrounds. After a long day in nature, make sure to treat your kids with a visit to one of
San Francisco’s famous ice cream parlors. Plus, there are
many landmarks, museums, and gardens you and your family will enjoy visiting.
San Francisco also is one of the healthiest places in the US and one of the fittest cities in the state. Even though it’s a very big and densely populated city, the air pollution is surprisingly low, making it perfect for kids.
The bottom line
Regardless of how long you plan to live in San Francisco, one thing is guaranteed – you and your family will fall in love with it and never want to leave.
We hope our tips will help you make moving to San Francisco with your kids easy and adventurous. Good luck!
Meta description: Moving to San Francisco with kids is exciting but can also be very stressful. In this article, find out how you can do it with minimal amounts of stress.
