After years of renting with friends or living with your family, it is time to strike out on your own. And if you set your sights on San Francisco, you are in for an exciting move.
The city brims with opportunities to meet people, make new friends and buy a property that will build your equity. Yet figuring out where to make your mark is a tough choice. There are over 30 neighborhoods in San Fran, and each is more different than the last. And while many folks would love to search for places to move to based on their passions, budgets often lead the search.
If you are a first-time buyer approaching a high-priced market like San Francisco, it is hard to figure out where to begin looking for an entry point. That is why the team at Prevu Real Estate put together a list of the most affordable neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Francisco
- Outer Sunset
- Richmond
- Bernal Heights
- Excelsior
- Bayview-Hunters Point
- Mission District
- Civic Center
- Diamond Heights
Outer Sunset
One of the most beautiful San Francisco neighborhoods also happens to have some of the most affordable homes and sunsets that rival Los Angeles.
Outer Sunset has a suburban feel because this quiet neighborhood by the ocean is far from the buzz of downtown SF. Homes in "The Avenues" feature brightly colored duplexes and townhomes in a price range that will not break the bank. Despite being far from Market Street, there is a lot to find in Outer Sunset.
Golden Gate Park forms the northern boundary of this area, while the famous California State Route 1 forms the western fence of Outer Sunset.
There is a vibrant surf culture in this section of SF, and the Mollusk Surf Shop at the corner of Irving Street and 46th Avenue is a community centerpiece. Surfers from miles around take the trek to Outer Sunset to hit the curls at Ocean Beach.
After a day of hitting the beach, most locals wander back to Irving Street as there is a cornucopia of restaurants, bars, and shops to hit up before heading home. A light tram line runs down the length of Judah Street, making getting home from the beach a breeze.
41st Avenue, Ortega Street, and Kirkham Street are quiet, "Slow Streets," where cars are limited to give people free rein of the road.
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Richmond
On the northern side of Golden Gate Park is the sprawling neighborhood of Richmond.
The area spans the entire length of Golden Gate Park and shares a border with The Presidio and Lands End. Newcomers will spend many days exploring the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the other attractions in Golden Gate Park. Considering Richmond is right next to the Golden Gate Bridge, expect to see Karl, the local San Francisco Coastal Fog, quite often!
There is a bit of distance between the happening parts of SF and Richmond, so locals have to trek across town to reach the East Cut. The eastern side of the District is where the University of San Francisco campus is, and it is common to find students walking around the quad or nearby on Clement Street.
You can find about anything in this commercial corridor, from book shops, live music venues, and tea shops. Plus, there is the ever-popular Mel's Drive-In, a 50's-style diner where you drive up and place your order. The homes in this area are a bit more expensive than Outer Sunset, as you're likely to come across a Mission Revival or Queen Anne-style home.
While there are beaches in Richmond, you will want to avoid the water. The currents rushing by Baker Beach can sweep swimmers into the Bay. And there are the ruins of the Sutro Pools to explore, which are at the end of Lands End.
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Bernal Heights
Just southeast of trendy Noe Valley is the suburban enclave of Bernal Heights. Complete with a small town feel, the cost of living here is lower than other parts of San Fran.
The 101 highway runs north to south along the neighborhood's eastern side, while the 280 runs along the southern edge of Bernal Heights. Locals here have postcard-perfect views of the San Francisco skyline to the north and the Sutro Tower rising high above Mount Sutro to the northwest at Bernal Heights Park.
Bernal Heights sits south of downtown, so commuters usually take the 101 or use the J tram line to reach the rest of SF. They can also hop on the Glen Park BART station. Mission Street is the central shopping district in Bernal Heights, offering residents access to shops and grocery stores.
Yet Cortland Avenue is where most locals go for fun. Bernal Heights celebrates LBGT-owned businesses, and the Wild West Side bar has been a focal point in the community since 1962.
Browse listings for sale in Bernal Heights
Excelsior
Buyers looking for access to the rest of the Peninsula should check out Excelsior.
Commuters can hop on the 280 to either head south towards Daly City and San Mateo or north towards the 101. It is common to see streets filled with two-story rowhouses, many built on land subdivided after the catastrophic 1906 earthquake.
Mission street forms the northwestern barrier of the neighborhood and acts as the main shopping strip. People living in Excelsior can grab groceries from Safeway, then head to Excelsior Coffee for a cup of an espresso blend.
Excelsior shares a border with John McLaren Park on the southeast side of town, providing locals with a pool, golf course, and hiking trails. There is even an amphitheater dedicated to the frontman of the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, who grew up in Excelsior.
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Bayview-Hunters Point
Not all affordable homes are on the western side of town. There are beautiful homes for sale on the East Bay side of San Francisco, and some of the best are in Bayview-Hunters Point.
This land was instrumental to the Ohlone people for thousands of years until the Spanish came in the 1700s. In the years after, this area was home to many immigrants making their way to San Francisco. Today, community organizers pay tribute to the original people of this land at events held in nearby Bayview Park and Islais Creek Park.
The waterfront is important to locals, and many hang out at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. This shorefront park is where kayakers and windsurfers gather to explore the Bay.
After a day of work or play, many folks in the neighborhood retire to 3rd Avenue, where there are restaurants, bars, and some shopping stores. There is also a light tram line that can take riders deeper into the city. The 280 and 101 run along the neighborhood's south, west, and northern edges, while the shoreline makes up the eastern terminus.
There are many colorful Victorian and Edwardian homes in Bayview-Hunters Point, but there are modern duplexes above garages for sale as well.
Browse listings for sale in Bayview-Hunters Point
Mission District
One of the more famous San Francisco neighborhoods is also one of the more affordable.
Named after the Mission Dolores, built in 1776, this hip slice of San Francisco is where city-goers go to enjoy a night on the town. The fiery Latino presence in the Mission is represented in the numerous taquerias, dance clubs, and shops lining the streets.
Just about all of the Mission is a party with crafty cocktail bars, signature chef grills, and other eateries at almost every corner. But the main dining and shopping areas are on Mission, San Carlos, Lexington, and Valencia Streets. Many murals adorn the neighborhood, and people come from all over San Francisco to see the striking works on Cyprus Street.
Shotwell Street is a Slow Street where locals stroll in the evening and gather to hang out with friends. The Mission is one of the affordable places to live in San Francisco, considering that the opulent Potrero Hill is one neighborhood over.
There are several small parks and squares in Mission District, yet you will commonly find locals hanging out on the weekends at the Mission Dolores Park.
Browse listings for sale in Mission District
Civic Center
Those looking to stay closer to the financial and corporate heart of San Francisco on a budget should consider searching in Civic Center
Located next to Nob Hill, Civic Center is considered downtown San Francisco. It is known for Beaux-Arts buildings, hosting playhouses, opera halls, jazz clubs and auditoriums. The San Francisco Ballet is on Franklin Street, while Market Street is where you will find historic theaters like The Strand, The Orpheum, and The Curran.
As a home buyer looking at homes in Civic Center, you will not find the typical two-story homes with bay windows. High rises dominate the area, and the median price to purchase units in these buildings is just under or above one million.
Despite being an entertainment playground, residents can head to the Theater District to find a Whole Foods, an urban farmers market, and a Trader Joe's. Several small green spaces like the Victoria Manalo Draves Park dot the landscape, providing a much-needed respite from the towering buildings.
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Diamond Heights
Located just below the heights of Twin Peaks is the hilly neighborhood of Diamond Heights.
This bedroom community located in central San Francisco, right next to Noe Valley and Glen Park. Properties here are larger than the standard fare of other San Francisco neighborhoods, yet the homes are at an affordable price point.
Glen Canyon Park is the main outdoor feature in the neighborhood, and there is a slew of trails winding about the region. Considering that Diamond Heights is on the eastern side of Twin Peaks, it avoids most of the dreary fog that rolls in most mornings in San Francisco.
The main shopping corridor is on Diamond Heights Boulevard, where there is a shopping center that sustains the neighborhood and surrounding ones like Twin Peaks, which has no commercial districts.
Browse listings for sale in Diamond Heights
Interested in buying a home in the San Francisco Bay Area? Browse listings in your favorite neighborhood and see how much you can save with Prevu’s commission rebate.
Prevu Real Estate, Inc. is a licensed real estate broker in California, license number 02134758.
