San Francisco, United States 🇺🇸
#45
,
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | San Francisco is known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, vibrant culture, and diverse neighborhoods. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is around 883,305. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is approximately 125 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is USD. 1 USD ≈ 1 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are popular mobile providers. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Chase, Bank of America, and online banking options like Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted almost everywhere. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo offer many options for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The Mission District and SoMa (South of Market). |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork and Spaces (multiple locations). |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Ritual Coffee Roasters and Blue Bottle Coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups and events listed on platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in San Francisco Facebook Group and Internations events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Bird offer e-scooter rentals; Bay Wheels for bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Ocean Beach, approximately 30 mins away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Alaska Airlines is a major regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | United Airlines and Delta Air Lines connect to many international destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include I-80 and US-101. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Embarcadero Station is a key transit location. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Muni has day passes and monthly options, BART connects to the Bay Area. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Amtrak and regional buses connect to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | UCSF Medical Center. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Tree and CorePower Yoga. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | 24 Hour Fitness and Gold's Gym. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wash Club SF and The Laundry Room. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | DoorDash and UberEats. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sourdough bread from local bakeries. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Greens Restaurant and Gracias Madre. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Tartine Bakery and Bi-Rite Creamery. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mission Community Market and Ferry Building Marketplace. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local businesses through storefronts. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Amazon Fresh. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Mission and North Beach are popular nightlife districts. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Anchor Brewing Company. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Barrel Room and Press Club. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Off the Grid food truck events. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Try Burmese cuisine at B Star and Dim Sum at Yank Sing. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and California Academy of Sciences. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Haight-Ashbury district and the Painted Ladies. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Grace Cathedral and Mission San Francisco de Asís. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Folsom Street Fair and Bay to Breakers. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Chinatown and the Mission District. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Orpheum Theatre and The Castro Theatre. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Fillmore and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals in the Mission District. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary Institute of America offers classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery 16 in the Mission. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palace of Fine Arts. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Rich cultural heritage from diverse immigrant communities. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Golden Gate Park and Lands End. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Point Reyes National Seashore, about an hour away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Embarcadero and Golden Gate Bridge paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Twin Peaks offers stunning city views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Crissy Field is great for bird watching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Ocean Beach has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | USPS, FedEx, and UPS services widely available. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit and Apple Store. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | SF Table Tennis Club. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | French and Spanish classes at Alliance Française and Instituto Cervantes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | San Francisco Public Library and Community Spaces. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Mission Neighborhood Centers. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game On! Esports and Tabletop Gaming Lounge. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Lucky Chances Casino is a popular spot. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,000,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $400,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $700,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $280,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,200,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $720,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $900,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $540,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,500,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,200,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,200,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $960,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Approx. 21%. California has state income tax as well. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% for U.S. shareholders. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax rates for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Up to 13.3% in California. |
| 🧾 VAT | No VAT, sales tax is around 8.5%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable regulations. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Approximately 1.25% of property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Varies, depending on purchase price and local regulations. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | U.S. does not tax non-resident foreign income, though you must comply with U.S. tax laws. |