S an Francisco, California is known as "America's Favorite City" and is the 12th largest city in the nation with 776,733 residents. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay, the city has often led the charge of social change, with Beatniks in the 1950s, hippies in the '60s and high technology in the '80s and '90s. Today, some call San Francisco's downtown "Wall Street West" because it is ranked as one of the top financial centers in the nation.

The stunning 49 square miles that make up this dynamic Northern California city, encompasses a variety of unique neighborhoods all marked with the world famous steep hills. Each enclave, an individual entity that is distinct and rare, comes together to form the rich tapestry that is the San Francisco metro community. From the posh, stunning views of Pacific Heights and Russian Hill to the bohemian, artistic energy of the Mission district, one can always find a living area suited to his or her particular tastes. The neighborhoods are varied and, yet, as intertwined as the people who inhabit them.

San Francisco is famous for its architecture, with its rows of Victorians and its streets of bay windows. San Francisco boasts some of the oldest and most beautiful residential property in California. San Franciscans can choose from an array of early to late Victorians, Mediterranean and California-style view homes, high-rise condominiums, and post-World War II developments. The median value for a residence in the metro area is $530,662.

It is reported that Bay Area residents possess the third-highest discretionary income in the United States. This is due to the high percentage of an educated work force and the concentration of jobs in high-paying industries. The median household income is $58,621 per year. According to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), between 2000 and 2020, San Francisco will experience additional growth with an increase in household income by 23 percent - roughly $76,400 to $94,300 annually.

San Francisco is a major United States port and is a cornerstone to the thriving economy. Since the days of the Gold Rush, when ships loaded with goodies from around the globe began pulling into harbor to satisfy the city's burgeoning populace, San Francisco has been poised to distribute goods. One of the City's classic cable cars will rumble you throughout downtown so you can see for yourself. Bargain shoppers, vintage seekers or feverish fashion devas will find there's a place for everyone: Union Square boutiques offer up top designers; South of Market hosts outlets with cut-rate clothing; Haight Ashbury has hip threads, tie dye to die for and everything in between; Presidio Heights caters to society sophisticates; and the Marina and Pacific Heights serve up the sublimely stylish for young and young-at-heart urbanites. Don't forget the main shopping promenade along Grant Avenue, where you can explore one of the largest Chinatowns in the US.

Also known as the "Culinary Capital of the World," San Francisco will dazzle your palette. From lush California valleys, which supply an endless variety of top-quality fruits and vegetables, and local organic ranches with select meats and poultry, to the internationally acclaimed and locally produced wine and top chefs which win awards time and time again. The Metro San Francisco area is at the apex of fine food innovation and culinary delights.

San Francisco is a city like no other. It has produced some legendary talent in the music industry including the Grateful Dead, Counting Crows, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, and Steve Miller Band. Much anticipated festivals like the San Francisco Blues Festival in September, San Francisco Jazz Festival in late October through early November and The Carnival in May are events not to be missed! Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Golden Gate Bridge, Steinhart Aquarium, Alcatraz, Yerba Buena Gardens, Aquarium of the Bay are some of the finest attractions in the world. Championship sports teams include the National League baseball Giants, the National Football League 49ers, and the National Indoor Football League Bay Bandits.

San Francisco is ranked No. 5 on the "America's Most Literate Cities" list. The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is largely responsible for this designation and prides itself on it multicultural and multilingual strengths. English is the second language of nearly one-third of SFUSD students. The student body is currently 11.7 percent white, 21.5 percent Latino/Latina, 15.6 percent African-American, 29.3 percent Chinese, 1 percent Japanese, 1 percent Korean, 0.7 percent Native American, 6.9 percent Filipino and 12.2 percent other non-white ethnicities. The district student enrollment is nearly 61,000. The district operates 78 elementary schools (K-5), 17 middle schools (grades 6-8) and 21 high schools. Higher-education college and universities are known throughout the world and include University of San Francisco, Golden Gate University, New College of California, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Hastings College of the Law, Stanford University and San Francisco State University.

No wonder this is America's favorite city! This is an exciting place to live, work and raise a family. If you are considering moving to the San Francisco Metro area or would like more information, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!