SF feels like a large Philly and I love it
I’ve been wanting to travel to SF for two decades now (I’m 40). It’s been a bucket list city. Traveled to South SF for work on Thursday, and I have to go to Seattle for work on Monday. So I said screw it, make it a full SF weekend and finally explore. I was anxious as I wanted to like this city - I am not a fan of where I currently live and I would love to move to the west coast (love that PST). So far the only west cities I enjoy are SD, LA, and Phoenix. I do not like Seattle/Portland/Denver/SLC/etc. so I was really really hoping I would like SF.
My background - I’m from Philly. I’m a city guy at heart. I’ve lived in DC as well. Dream cities for me: Philly, NYC, LA, Phoenix.
Well BOY OH BOY SF quickly moved to the top of that list. This place is fucking amazing. It legitimately feels like a larger Philly and I’ll explain. The people here are authentic. They’re down to earth. They don’t give a fuck about what’s going on around them but at the same time they are extremely nice/generous and will speak their mind. This entire place has a northeast attitude! I did NOT expect that. LA/SD jaded my assumption as to how people would be here. Everyone here is fantastic - some dude will tell you to fuck off while another is like “here are all the local bars in NB you should go to” within a 2 min span. I love it.
The weather in this city is god-tier. Maybe I just came on a good weekend? But this infinite breeze and cooler weather is a godsend. It’s perfect. Everyone here tells me it’s this way through Sept/Oct which is when it’ll get hot for a week. You guys have amazing weather, absent the fog experience as I did not experience that.
I toursited the fuck out in SF. Stayed in Union Square. Toured NB. Went to Lombard. Toured Alcatraz. And finally, on my true bucket list, walked the GGB. I have wanted to see the big red machine in person for 2 decades, and it did not disappoint. What a marvel of human engineering.
I spent time walking neighborhoods to see how the locals live. Random local coffee shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Philly is like a 2x1 mile grid in center city, and SF feels like it’s just the 7x7 mile grid of the same. I felt right at home. I felt, “normal” compared to where I live right now.
Your city is fucking amazing. Thanks for having me. Would love to move out here one day, if I could ever afford a $3,400 1BR apartment. You people are awesome. Well done, San Fran. I love your city.