How to relocate to San Francisco
Relocation is scary. It costs a lot, forces you to say goodbye to your friends and family, and can be a logistical nightmare.
But, it doesn't have to be. Here's how I was able to move to San Francisco from New York City with relative ease:
Step 1: GET A ROOMMATE
If you want to save on rent, getting a roommate (or a few) will help you do that. With a roommate, you can split costs, and that will come in handy while you're setting up your apartment. More on that later...
Step 2: FIGURE OUT YOUR BUDGET
You will to set a maximum amount of money you are willing to pay each month. This number will change depending on your personal finances and preferences. This will dictate how you (or your relocation agent) will search for listings.
Step 3: ESTABLISH CLEAR RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS
What neighborhood do you want to live in? Does the average cost of an apartment in that neighborhood fall at or below your maximum? How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? Do you want a living room and dining room combo? How about a full kitchen? How close do you need to be to transportation?
These are just a few of the many questions to consider when establishing clear relocation requirements. This is your chance to ask yourself the age-old question: "What do I REALLY want?" Answers to these questions will guide your search. Instead of searching through the whole market, you can use these requirements to hone in on what you want.
Step 4: COMPILE YOUR RENTAL RESUME
Applying to apartments comes with a laundry list of requirements. You need to be able to meet those requirements, and most importantly, sell yourself. Here's what you'll need: proof of income, recent credit report, and landlord references. It may also be a good idea to include a headshot!
Step 5: GET AN AGENT
Not a leasing agent - a relocation agent. There's a difference here. A leasing agent, according to Arbors Management, Inc., is a "real estate agent employed by a licensed real estate broker who leases (rents) property owned by a landlord (lessor) to a tenant (lessee) and has the authority to sign on that lessor's behalf." Basically, that means that when you sign, the leasing agent gets a commission. That usually is in the form of a huge bill. That's not what you need.
What you need is a relocation agent. I worked with Steve West of the GoWest Group. You can see my Yelp review here. He facilitated everything from compiling a list of open houses to submitting my applications. Without Steve, I would have had an extremely hard time finding housing in San Francisco. Especially since I don't have a car. He drove us to every open house in his black Mercedes. ;-)
Step 6: MOVE IN
After getting approved and signing your lease, it's now up to you to furnish your apartment. For that, I suggest looking through Craigslist for local cheap deals. Sometimes, you can even get free stuff. If you can haul it, it's yours!
Now, planning a move isn't always as easy as 6 simple steps. But I hope that these breakdown can you help you plan smarter so that you can have an easier time settling down. Good luck out there!
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