The Dream of Living in San Francisco

For many, the aspiration to live in San Francisco is now becoming more elusive. One individual, Alex Melendrez, 32, recalls his youthful ambition to move from his hometown of San Bruno to the city. However, as he observed escalating living costs over the years, the dream of residing in San Francisco slowly faded away. “As time went on, things just got more and more expensive. It just felt like the dream of moving to San Francisco got a little further, and a little further, and a little further away,” Melendrez remarked.

Declining Population of Young Adults

Recent findings published by the San Francisco Chronicle reveal a troubling trend: fewer young adults are calling San Francisco home. In 2013, those in their 20s comprised 18% of the city’s population. By 2023, that figure shrunk to a mere 14%, marking the most significant reduction among large counties across the United States.

Data indicates that the cities experiencing an increase in young adult population are affluent suburbs, implying a potential regression in urban living. This suggests that many young people may either return to their parental homes or opt for suburban life instead of facing the high costs of city living.

The Reality for Many Young Adults

Reflecting on his situation, Melendrez shared, “Did I expect that? Expect living with my parents at this age? No. But there was a certain point in my early 20’s, graduating college, where I kind of just foresaw it for a while.” This sentiment resonates with numerous individuals within his age group, particularly as they navigate early career stages.

Potential Cultural Shifts in San Francisco

Experts warn that the migration of young adults could significantly alter San Francisco’s cultural landscape. Tim Thomas, research director of Berkeley’s Urban Displacement Project, indicates that, “Anything that a 20-something brought to the city is going to disappear. So you’re talking about nightlife, you’re talking about a prime demographic that people market to. A city can basically get really dull, really quick.”

The Challenge of Affordable Housing

Central to this demographic decline is the issue of affordable housing, which Thomas identifies as a major obstacle to attracting young residents. “Twenty-somethings are starting out in their careers; they don’t make a lot of money. And so you need a diverse market to allow, you know, everybody to live in a certain space,” he explained.

In Melendrez’s case, the lack of affordable rental options has prompted his decision to relocate to Southern California. He expressed, “What I’m paying in LA just feels more worth the cost for what I’m getting back living in the region. I wanted to be somewhere fresh and where I could be rejuvenated.”