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| Quality of Life |
The San Andreas Fault once again caused another major earthquake in 1989 and completely leveled parts of San Francisco. This was the first earthquake ever documented on camera because many cameras were on site to capture Game 3 of the World Series between the Bay Area’s San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. Since then, the city has taken a wide range of precautions to respond to future earthquakes of this magnitude.
The 1990s saw the birth of the dot-com boom, and San Francisco and the Bay Area were once again in the national spotlight. Silicon Valley, an already established mecca for the electronics industry, saw an astronomical increase in start-up companies flocking to the region in an attempt to make millions by extending the Internet, which was just starting to become a household necessity. The vision of an entire world in cyberspace was an enticing idea, considering the versatility of fully functional websites. Unfortunately, the dot-com era (1995–2000) didn’t last long. Despite the ensuing burst of the dot-com bubble, the Bay Area has remained a strong haven for fledgling as well as established technology companies.
Since the turn of the millennium, San Francisco has become one of the leading centers for the development of green energy and related sciences. The city is a heavy proponent of the green movement, and local energy companies are developing new systems that make use of biofuels, solar energy and wind power. Since 2008, the green energy market has seen dramatic increases, making it a viable industry alongside traditional oil and gas.
When it comes to new technologies and developments, San Francisco continues to be at the forefront. With so many viable industries located in and around the Bay, the economic prosperity of the region is sure to be intact for years to come.
POLITICS
Since the 1960s, San Francisco has had a reputation for being one of the epicenters of liberal social movements in the United States. San Francisco is a decidedly liberal city, and the population of the Bay Area in general tends to mirror the democratic political views of California. Even residents who identify as conservatives tend to be more moderate in the political spectrum.
RELIGION
San Francisco prides itself on being a city with a secular worldview, but its reputation as a progressive community should not eclipse its religious heritage. One only needs to look at the splendor of Grace Cathedral and the city’s other places of worship to see that religion is present throughout the metropolitan area. The large Roman Catholic and Protestant numbers are a testament to Christian prevalence in the Bay Area. In addition, San Francisco is home to a significant Jewish community and an expanding Muslim community. The progressive mindset in San Francisco is open to the possibility of all faiths, and that’s what the city truly is: a haven for all who want to practice their religion freely and without reservations.
THE BAY AREA COUNTIES
The Bay Area refers to the all of the urban expanses located around the perimeter of the San Francisco Bay. To be as concise and comprehensive as possible, Relocating to San Francisco covers the following nine counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma. Read more about each county in the chapter called “San Francisco and Beyond.”
FAMILY-FRIENDLY CITY
San Francisco is the quintessential family city, and much of that has to do with the high concentration and versatility of resources located in the Bay Area. Many families look for cities with a great public education system; others look for neighborhoods that are community oriented and child friendly. Still others prefer a city that, as a whole, is progressive when it comes to major social issues or prefer having many public areas for outdoor recreation or a strong presence of visual and performing arts. San Francisco is all of these things rolled into one. In San Francisco, parents can take their children to Golden Gate Park on a Saturday afternoon to enjoy its beautiful gardens or spend a Sunday with the family admiring the city’s famous “painted lady” Victorian homes. San Francisco is a city primed for creating lasting memories and childhoods filled with adventure and wonderful outings.
TAXES AND LAWS
When moving to any new city, it’s important to know some of the basic laws so you can maneuver your new surroundings without the worry of making any violations. The following section describes San Francisco’s laws regarding property and sales taxes, seatbelts and child safety laws, pet licensing, cell phone use and liquor. Note anything that applies to you or your family, especially if they differ considerably from your last place of residence.
— Property Taxes
When owning property in San Francisco, it’s important to remember its volume, block and lot numbers. The volume number references the location of the property in one of the city’s 45 sections. The city’s official assessment map has the block and lot numbers of every listed property. Property owners should keep these numbers on file because they are needed to make a property-tax payment. Each property-tax value is configured using the following calculation:
The 1990s saw the birth of the dot-com boom, and San Francisco and the Bay Area were once again in the national spotlight. Silicon Valley, an already established mecca for the electronics industry, saw an astronomical increase in start-up companies flocking to the region in an attempt to make millions by extending the Internet, which was just starting to become a household necessity. The vision of an entire world in cyberspace was an enticing idea, considering the versatility of fully functional websites. Unfortunately, the dot-com era (1995–2000) didn’t last long. Despite the ensuing burst of the dot-com bubble, the Bay Area has remained a strong haven for fledgling as well as established technology companies.
Since the turn of the millennium, San Francisco has become one of the leading centers for the development of green energy and related sciences. The city is a heavy proponent of the green movement, and local energy companies are developing new systems that make use of biofuels, solar energy and wind power. Since 2008, the green energy market has seen dramatic increases, making it a viable industry alongside traditional oil and gas.
When it comes to new technologies and developments, San Francisco continues to be at the forefront. With so many viable industries located in and around the Bay, the economic prosperity of the region is sure to be intact for years to come.
POLITICS
Since the 1960s, San Francisco has had a reputation for being one of the epicenters of liberal social movements in the United States. San Francisco is a decidedly liberal city, and the population of the Bay Area in general tends to mirror the democratic political views of California. Even residents who identify as conservatives tend to be more moderate in the political spectrum.
RELIGION
San Francisco prides itself on being a city with a secular worldview, but its reputation as a progressive community should not eclipse its religious heritage. One only needs to look at the splendor of Grace Cathedral and the city’s other places of worship to see that religion is present throughout the metropolitan area. The large Roman Catholic and Protestant numbers are a testament to Christian prevalence in the Bay Area. In addition, San Francisco is home to a significant Jewish community and an expanding Muslim community. The progressive mindset in San Francisco is open to the possibility of all faiths, and that’s what the city truly is: a haven for all who want to practice their religion freely and without reservations.
THE BAY AREA COUNTIES
The Bay Area refers to the all of the urban expanses located around the perimeter of the San Francisco Bay. To be as concise and comprehensive as possible, Relocating to San Francisco covers the following nine counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma. Read more about each county in the chapter called “San Francisco and Beyond.”
FAMILY-FRIENDLY CITY
San Francisco is the quintessential family city, and much of that has to do with the high concentration and versatility of resources located in the Bay Area. Many families look for cities with a great public education system; others look for neighborhoods that are community oriented and child friendly. Still others prefer a city that, as a whole, is progressive when it comes to major social issues or prefer having many public areas for outdoor recreation or a strong presence of visual and performing arts. San Francisco is all of these things rolled into one. In San Francisco, parents can take their children to Golden Gate Park on a Saturday afternoon to enjoy its beautiful gardens or spend a Sunday with the family admiring the city’s famous “painted lady” Victorian homes. San Francisco is a city primed for creating lasting memories and childhoods filled with adventure and wonderful outings.
TAXES AND LAWS
When moving to any new city, it’s important to know some of the basic laws so you can maneuver your new surroundings without the worry of making any violations. The following section describes San Francisco’s laws regarding property and sales taxes, seatbelts and child safety laws, pet licensing, cell phone use and liquor. Note anything that applies to you or your family, especially if they differ considerably from your last place of residence.
— Property Taxes
When owning property in San Francisco, it’s important to remember its volume, block and lot numbers. The volume number references the location of the property in one of the city’s 45 sections. The city’s official assessment map has the block and lot numbers of every listed property. Property owners should keep these numbers on file because they are needed to make a property-tax payment. Each property-tax value is configured using the following calculation:
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