I live in San Francisco and I want to do life here. I moved here very specifically to set down roots and raise my family in the SFBA.
I have the option to live anywhere in the world and I believe that the confluence of the west marin national seashore and the city center of San Francisco is unique in all the world for contrasting landscape, and energy boundaries, all within fifteen minutes driving.
On top of it all, Squaw Valley - the set location of all my childhood ski heroes - is just three hours away.
To a raise a family, you moved to a city with more dogs than children[1] and more drug addicts than high school students? [2] Or are you planning on moving to Marin County (close, very expensive, very nice), one of the southern suburbs (close, expensive, not nice), or Dublin/Pleasanton (far, less expensive, nice) once the kids are born?
Seriously asking. (About me: I prefer dogs; If I have a kid I prefer my kid hang out with dogs; my extended family is spread out in the SFBA from Daly City to Dublin; I grew up there; I left; I miss the weather).
[1] https://www.kqed.org/news/11669269/are-there-really-more-dog... [2] https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/philmatier/article/San-F...
Having said that, your driving time estimates are incredible optimistic. Squaw is not 3 hours from SF, not even with no traffic (this scenario doesn't really exist) and good weather. Getting anywhere in the bay area also takes significantly longer due to traffic which is pretty bad most of the day.
I'm sure this is mainly due to the pandemic, but I just drove back from there last month (slightly farther than Squaw, actually), and it took 3 hours and a single-digit number of minutes. Hell, the travel time Google is showing from Squaw right now is 3 hours and 9 minutes.
I do agree that's atypical. But... so what? "Correct" the parent's statement to "4 hours" and the argument is just as valid. Seems like you're nitpicking and missing the forest for the trees.
The parks are beautiful, and you can get out into nature in about an hour's drive.
Living in SF is expensive, but salaries are high too. Especially if you're in tech like most on HN, you can have a very nice lifestyle here.
But anyways I agree SF is beautiful in many areas, and no one should listen to any opinions of SF from anyone who calls it "San Fran" :)
They regularly host top performers from around the world -- Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Yuja Wang, and so many more. And Michael Tilson Thomas is a treasure. Anyway, I can ramble about this forever and I appreciate the response :)
I do welcome the departure of people who don't actually like the city and have been "forced" to live here due to their job. I feel like the city will be a lot healthier from a community standpoint with a higher percentage of people who want to live here.