Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one. But no one understands better than I do that it can be overwhelming, as well, especially when it comes to figuring out who to work for and where to live once you land the job. I’m Shannon, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for San Francisco, California, and I’m here to help.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments for Rent in San Francisco

Current San Francisco Area Rental Home Pricing

And don’t worry. I promise the City by the Bay isn’t secretly conspiring against you. (That’s just the wind blowing in from off the Pacific.) Once you land on a rhythm that works for you here, it’s truly unlike anyplace else on earth. Let’s go over some of the city’s most desirable employers, as well as some of the best neighborhoods for aspiring employees to live in.

1. Salesforce

Salesforce is far from just another Bay Area tech company. It’s a global cloud-based software leader responsible for some of the best sales, CRM, and commerce services available anywhere.

In other words, it’s an ideal workplace for eager professionals hungry for the full downtown tech experience. Here are some terrific neighborhoods for those looking for homes and apartments near Salesforce.

SoMa (South of Market)

SoMa is a terrific place to hang your hat if you want someplace within easy walking distance of work. It’s full of chic warehouses-turned-loft spaces, not to mention plenty of awesome bars to visit after hours with a work friend or two in tow.

Dogpatch

If you're looking for a neighborhood that strikes a unique balance between creative energy and industrial foundation, Dogpatch is worth taking a second look at. It’s filled with features like galleries housed in old brick buildings and amazing coffee roasters locals can’t live without.

I personally love the way this area brings that nice “tucked away” feeling to the table without feeling cut off.

Potrero Hill

My favorite thing about Potrero Hill is that it's often sunny while the rest of the city remains cloaked in fog, so don’t sleep on it if you’re a fellow sun worshiper.

It’s also residential-feeling enough for those quiet evenings that you treasure after a long day at work, while being close enough to energetic Mission or SoMa to make it easy to switch gears as needed.

Mission District

Music, murals, and some of the absolute best food to be found anywhere in the entire city. That’s the Mission District in a nutshell. It’s also the best of both worlds as far as places to live go – just a quick BART ride or bike ride away from downtown with plenty of peaceful neighborhood spaces that truly feel neighborly.

Bernal Heights

Looking for someplace with a little more community and a lot less chaos? The laid-back slopes of Bernal Heights might just be the right place for you. Don’t forget to check out the parks here for some seriously incredible panoramic views of the city.

2. Cisco

Consistently named one of San Francisco’s top employers, multinational tech conglomerate Cisco has played a pivotal role in building the internet as you know and love it today. It remains one of the big epicenters as far as how the world connects today, and it’s one of the best places to work in San Francisco if you dream of working on global-scale projects.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the best places to find available houses, homes, and apartments near Cisco.

South Beach

The waterfront in South Beach is hands down one of my favorite places to get in a morning jog or to enjoy a leisurely evening walk after an amazing seafood meal. Residents enjoy easy access to the downtown offices in addition to the many perks of high-rise living. (Hello, gorgeous ocean views!)

Telegraph Hill

Home to wonders like hidden gardens and the city’s little-discussed (but amazing) parrot population, Telegraph Hill is definitely a neighborhood aspiring Cisco employees might want to explore. I personally love the way it’s completely walkable and close to downtown while still feeling like it exists in a world of its own.

Hayes Valley

If you’re a sucker for open-air art and cute, trendy shops to wander through, Hayes Valley might be just the place to head home to after an exciting day at the Cisco office. It’s well-connected, filled to the brim with unique local character, and just so happens to be home to some of the best ice cream you’ll ever eat.

North Beach

North Beach is gritty enough to keep things interesting if you appreciate neighborhoods with plenty of urban appeal. It’s also got plenty of that signature old-school beatnik charm and history that so many people come to San Francisco for in the first place. My favorite thing to do here when I have a minute is visit one of the neighborhood's many Italian cafés for an espresso.

Russian Hill

Steep San Francisco streets and stunning postcard views are Russian Hill’s claim to fame. This neighborhood also happens to be a beautiful, calm place to really unwind after a long day, making it perfect for would-be Cisco employees.

3. University of California, San Francisco

UCSF is a major leader when it comes to patient care and medical research, in addition to education. It’s also a major driver of the local economy, making it an amazing place to consider working or going to school. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the best places to work in San Francisco if you’re equally interested in cutting-edge science and opportunities to change another person’s life.

Looking for a new home nearby or maybe just some affordable apartments near the University of California, San Francisco? Here are some neighborhoods to add to your to-see list immediately.

Noe Valley

If you’re looking for someplace quiet and family-friendly to put down a few roots while exploring opportunities at UCSF, take a peek at Noe Valley. It’s quiet and sunny, moving at a delightfully slow pace that represents the best of life in California. Think leisurely trips to the farmer’s market followed by strolls through the park.

Cole Valley

Looking for a neighborhood that practically begs its residents to walk down the streets and soak up the ambiance as often as possible? Cole Valley fits the bill perfectly, with its stunning Victorian homes, leafy streets, and close-knit community vibe. In other words, it’s the place to build a life while simultaneously building a career at UCSF.

Mission Bay

Mission Bay is just a stone’s throw away from UCSF, so it’s a great place to look for apartments and other housing options nearby. It’s characterized by walkable waterfront paths, modern apartments with all the latest amenities, and easy commutes that get you from Point A to Point B with minimal stress.

Hayes Valley

Hayes Valley is just as desirable a place to live for UCSF employees as it is for aspiring Cisco team members, so it’s worth a second mention. This is a prime location that puts you right at the heart of what’s best about San Francisco living, including a gorgeous park and as much chic boutique shopping as you can handle.

4. Adobe

At this point, the Adobe name is completely synonymous with the premier design tools marketers, designers, and working creatives absolutely can’t live without. It’s also a genuinely incredible place for someone creative, driven, and forward-thinking to work if they’ve got their heart set on San Francisco employment.

Get ready to spend your days surrounded by other brilliant minds who think in fonts, layers, and color palettes. Then consider what it might be like to come home to one of the following neighborhoods once the day is finally done.

Japantown

My biggest takeaways from previous trips through Japantown include the unparalleled peace of the plaza and the unforgettable smell of fresh ramen wafting out of the many eateries here. It’s a close-knit, clean, and well-located neighborhood that’s ideal for the type of creative souls who want to work for Adobe.

Tenderloin

Tenderloin isn’t for everyone. However, it is affordable, authentic, and a great place to live if you value quirky neighborhoods with a rougher brand of charm. This is the kind of place where you can truly feel the hum of San Francisco life buzzing through the streets, and it’s within easy commuting distance of Adobe to boot.

Glen Park

With its narrow streets and fun, family-run shops, Glen Park has a delightful village-like feel that’s just right for decompressing after long days at the office. There’s even a BART station that takes all the guesswork out of getting into town with ease or otherwise exploring the city in your downtime.

North Panhandle (NoPa)

Does your ideal San Francisco living situation include idyllic tree-lined streets that feel fresh out of a movie? How about local craft beer spots that are equally full of friendly locals and delicious must-try brews? North Panhandle is an amazing place to grab an epic brunch while basking in a unique “Sunday newspaper” vibe.

Alamo Square

San Francisco’s famous Postcard Row of stunning Painted Ladies is located here, so Alamo Square is definitely a location to consider if you want to work at Adobe. It’s an amazing place to grab a skillfully brewed latte, before walking to the park for a great weekend view or an impromptu picnic. It’s also a bit quieter than neighborhoods like Mission, while remaining within easy reach of work.

5. NVIDIA

NVIDIA is the undisputed champion when it comes to growing industries like AI, visual computing, and GPUs. This makes it an incredible place to work if you’re interested in both high-tech projects and opportunities to brainstorm advancements with the power to shape the future.

Seriously, if you’ve ever fantasized about a professional life that makes you feel like you’re living inside a sci-fi novel, NVIDIA is it. Here are some neighborhoods to scope out if you’re looking for homes and apartments near NVIDIA.

Lower Pacific Heights

Lower Pacific Heights is quiet and balanced, while remaining nice and close to work zones. It’s also a great solution to the claustrophobia that can sometimes come with city life. Think quaint restaurants with food that will change your life, beautiful street trees, and a nice walk-bike-transit combination that makes it easy to get from place to place.

The Panhandle

Adjacent to the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park, this is an amazing place to call home if your ideal San Francisco lifestyle includes golden-hour walks, early-morning jogs, or even the occasional random picnic. This is a place to be if you love broad open space, runner chatter, and dogs, all within a stone’s throw of the NVIDIA offices.

Bayview

Bayview is an up-and-coming neighborhood, so it’s a solid place to look for apartments near NVIDIA if you also like the idea of semi-industrial chic. It’s affordable, has plenty of space to offer, and is still within San Francisco city limits. It may lack the polish of some of the longer-standing communities here, but it's also refreshingly authentic and culturally rich.

Nob Hill

When people picture quintessential San Francisco, Nob Hill is likely one of the first neighborhoods to come to mind. This is the place to be if you love the idea of living someplace close to downtown, complete with running cable cars, without the full-scale chaos of nearby alternatives.

Nob Hill is also famous for its stately architecture, well-connected transit options, Insta-perfect aesthetics, and old-world elegance. And it’s not a bad place to get a truly fine cup of coffee, either.

Ultimately, choosing the right neighborhood in San Francisco to rent an apartment or score a new home is about more than just your morning commute. You also need to consider how you’d like your life to feel when you step outside your front door.

After all, your career aspirations may have brought you to San Francisco in the first place, but living in the right neighborhood is what will make you think of the city as home.