Aug 11, 2021
Why I Moved to San Francisco(at 22)
Orlando, FL vs. San Franciso, CA
There are mixed opinions post-COVID era and after the great emigration out of California on whether or not living in San Francisco is worth its notoriously high living costs. I have found a way to live below the means and figured out a way to keep my cost of living about the same as that in FL and still have a higher quality of life.
Outside of the city, people have no idea how much time is wasted driving for any type of entertainment. It’s not possible to simply “walk to Trader Joe’s” in the Summer Florida heat. All the scenery you see is an endless repetition of grass. At least you can people-watch in the backseat of your uber in the city, no matter how dirty it gets.
Weather plays a big role in determining the preference of location. I could not breathe in Florida going from class to class even in late Fall and was always drenched in sweat. The breeze and fog in San Francisco keep my temperament cool as well.
The people and environment matter. As an Asian woman studying computer science, I felt out of place in Florida. Nerdiness is praised and expected in the Bay area, where nerds actualize ideas with honest effort and application. The potential of an Asian nerd in Florida is bleak, at least in (high school)social terms. The quality of education is so incomparably low in Florida, compared to that of California. American public education, in general, falls behind the basic education of all outside countries.
For not paying the utility bills, car insurance, and gas in a city where I can Airbnb and walk around, I am able to meet more people, get more things done, and spend about the same money. I have prioritized time over money, and it has helped me become more productive and achieve goals more efficiently.
In terms of numerical calculations,
Florida:
Income: 3500$/mo as a reseller & full time student
Rent -800 for a tiny 4x4 apartment across campus
Daily food, gas, and coffee: 25–40$
Car maintenance: tire change, oil change, air filters…
Groceries and toiletries: 150$/week
gym: 25/mo
Total average monthly cost: 2.5–3k if I don’t go out with friends
So basically, almost nothing could be saved, and so much time was wasted driving, parking, lamenting being bored because there is no other entertainment except going out to eat or reading by the beach(the beach is always nice, however).
San Francisco:
Income as a software intern: 7000/mo
Rent-1500/mo, all utilities included
Daily food, coffee: 40$
Groceries: 150/mo since I just eat leftovers
Gym: 80/mo but has clean towels, better equipment, and nice showers and hair dryers(so I just shower here)
toiletries(shampoo and detergent): included with Airbnb
uber/public transit: 200/mo if I want to explore the south bay or Oakland..rarely
Total avg spending: 3k, with 4k for savings and investments & tuition
There are so many things you can do for fun, such as comedy shows, hiking, and running clubs, coffee clubs, making your own club, developer networking, engineer networking, exchange of information, and other things that are impossible to access in Orlando, FL. I love the Bay area mindset. People are just more conscious about everything from health to innovation to other cultures. It’s action over words that matter. Not the fake display.
So I am glad that I took the risk of flying out to California, the “expensive and overrated state” and met really friendly, eco-friendly people who just welcome all cultures, backgrounds, and builds rockets.
It’s about quality!
