Tips for a Brit living in San Francisco
Discussion
I am looking at a work opportunity which will result in me living in San Francisco for a year or so. It's early days yet, so a bit shady on details.
I am likely to be paid in pounds by a British company. What would be a reasonable amount to live on over there (USD or GBP per month)? I am currently a fairly well paid software engineer and I would like to maintain that lifestyle over there. I am likely to be provided an apartment including basic bills so I do not need to worry about this and can be factored out of costs. What's the most efficient tax regime, stay employed by a British firm, go under contract from a British registered limited company or more esoteric stuff (umbrella agencies etc.)?
I have visited San Francisco for a few days in late 2000. I did some touristy stuff (bus tour, Golden Gate bridge, parks, just generally wandering around etc.) and I got a really good impression of the city. I'd like to know more about how it is to live there, especially as a non-local. Is there a good British ex-pat community? What's cool to do as a local? How is the nightlife/social scene as a single, male, early thirties foreigner? What bad stuff should I look out for?
I'd really like any useful input!
I am likely to be paid in pounds by a British company. What would be a reasonable amount to live on over there (USD or GBP per month)? I am currently a fairly well paid software engineer and I would like to maintain that lifestyle over there. I am likely to be provided an apartment including basic bills so I do not need to worry about this and can be factored out of costs. What's the most efficient tax regime, stay employed by a British firm, go under contract from a British registered limited company or more esoteric stuff (umbrella agencies etc.)?
I have visited San Francisco for a few days in late 2000. I did some touristy stuff (bus tour, Golden Gate bridge, parks, just generally wandering around etc.) and I got a really good impression of the city. I'd like to know more about how it is to live there, especially as a non-local. Is there a good British ex-pat community? What's cool to do as a local? How is the nightlife/social scene as a single, male, early thirties foreigner? What bad stuff should I look out for?
I'd really like any useful input!
Single guy - you'll love it.
If you know you'll only be there for a year then do your best to avoid dealing with the US tax authorities. They make our IR look like a bunch of amateurs. Also make sure your visas are all sorted - if your company doesn't have a US office who can do this then have the UK office hire a professional. You don't want to be getting that messed up.
However, I think you need a social security number to do much in terms of cars, banks out there. Will your company be paying for all living costs?
If you know you'll only be there for a year then do your best to avoid dealing with the US tax authorities. They make our IR look like a bunch of amateurs. Also make sure your visas are all sorted - if your company doesn't have a US office who can do this then have the UK office hire a professional. You don't want to be getting that messed up.
However, I think you need a social security number to do much in terms of cars, banks out there. Will your company be paying for all living costs?
Thanks for your reply. I'm not 100% on all the details yet. In terms of living costs, they will provide an apartment with basic bills (electricity, water, local taxes). During the work week, a lunch will be supplied. Breakfast, dinner and all meals on non-work days I must cover. Some relocation will be covered but I travel light anyway.
I want to have fun and make the most of the US experience but, since I am putting my life on hold in terms of UK property etc., I would like to save some money up for the future as when I return I will have to buy somewhere to live and a car. If I can eat out or go drinking once or twice a week, travel a bit at weekends and save a bit of money back home I would be very happy.
I want to have fun and make the most of the US experience but, since I am putting my life on hold in terms of UK property etc., I would like to save some money up for the future as when I return I will have to buy somewhere to live and a car. If I can eat out or go drinking once or twice a week, travel a bit at weekends and save a bit of money back home I would be very happy.
I'm not sure about this side of things. I imagine the apartment would be furnished. I'm still negotiating so what would be reasonable to expect in terms of health insurance etc.?
I'll probably not get a car when I am there and use hire cars when I want to go somewhere in particular unless I can get a cheap nail and sell it on when I am done.
I'll probably not get a car when I am there and use hire cars when I want to go somewhere in particular unless I can get a cheap nail and sell it on when I am done.
_rubinho_ said:
I'm not sure about this side of things. I imagine the apartment would be furnished. I'm still negotiating so what would be reasonable to expect in terms of health insurance etc.?
I'll probably not get a car when I am there and use hire cars when I want to go somewhere in particular unless I can get a cheap nail and sell it on when I am done.
Need for a car all depends on your San Fran office location. is it downtown or in an industrial estate?I'll probably not get a car when I am there and use hire cars when I want to go somewhere in particular unless I can get a cheap nail and sell it on when I am done.
Targarama said:
Need for a car all depends on your San Fran office location. is it downtown or in an industrial estate?
Exactly this. I've spent some time there recently around the Bay To Breakers event, mainly downtown and Fisherman's Wharf areas (we did do some touristy bits and pieces too). The cable cars, trams, buses and taxis will be all you ever need if you aren't intending on moving from the main areas I think. You can get season passes or 'Oyster' card style passes for those too, which helps keep the costs down even more.From my experience, the costs for meals seem to be roughly comparable to the UK on a dollar=pound basis. For example, Boudin's Bakery on Fisherman's Wharf do the best steak I have tasted and it's only $22. You'd pay about that in pounds in the UK for a similar meal. A great view over the bay area too.
The areas outside of the main tourist drag will be cheaper. There's a great pizza restaurant that always has a queue outside it but for the life of me I can't remember the name. I'll see if I can dredge up the receipt. We quickly found out that the portions of food in every restaurant were absolutely massive. We just didn't need a starter or dessert to go with the main meal as that was more than enough. Your mileage may vary, of course.
As for nightlife, we didn't really experience it too much as we spent most evenings just walking about. The Haight area is really nice both during the day and at night though.
Targarama said:
Need for a car all depends on your San Fran office location. is it downtown or in an industrial estate?
It'll be downtown, waterfront area. Matt Harper said:
San Francisco is a VERY expensive place to live - but that isn't you biggest issue. What type of visa is your company petitioning for?
Haven't got as far as a visa application yet. I have lived in Oslo most recently, it can't be more expensive than there, no?_rubinho_ said:
Haven't got as far as a visa application yet. I have lived in Oslo most recently, it can't be more expensive than there, no?
Fair enough, if you can stomach Norwegian cost of living, you'll be OK in northern Cali.At risk of overstating this everything is irrelevant until you've established what your visa status is going to be. I'm always a bit nervous when people start talking about being paid from 'home', rather than through the US operation. It kind of smacks of 'going under the fence'.
It is likely, though not always, that you would be disadvantaged tax-wise, by being paid from outside the US.
GTIR said:
Yes it looks good, thanks. Actually my plans have changed (fickle fickle me) and I am now moving to Munich. I am leaving Monday! Some good information about Germany on that forum too. 
ker! 
Hi all. ive come to this late, so hope its still useful.
I lived SOMA area of SF in 2003 and visit regularly.
I had a corporate rental when i lived there . 1 bedroom fully furnished high up in a high rise , corner of Mission and 3rd. it was called paramount and had a website. www.paramountsf.com, i think.
Mine was a short term rental, and it was fully furnished, but im not talking james Bond Villain furniture here, just regular stuff from a rental place. i think all in, it was ~5k USD a month. Parking was extra and was ~350 for valet.
Amazing city to live in - id go back in a heartbeat. Expensive, but cheaper than both London and NYC in my experience. no experience of Oslo to compare, but i assume the Californian red wine is a little more affordable in SF :-)
I lived SOMA area of SF in 2003 and visit regularly.
I had a corporate rental when i lived there . 1 bedroom fully furnished high up in a high rise , corner of Mission and 3rd. it was called paramount and had a website. www.paramountsf.com, i think.
Mine was a short term rental, and it was fully furnished, but im not talking james Bond Villain furniture here, just regular stuff from a rental place. i think all in, it was ~5k USD a month. Parking was extra and was ~350 for valet.
Amazing city to live in - id go back in a heartbeat. Expensive, but cheaper than both London and NYC in my experience. no experience of Oslo to compare, but i assume the Californian red wine is a little more affordable in SF :-)
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