Cover photo by Ketut Subiyanto
The stunning city of San Mateo, California is nestled roughly 33 miles and less than 45 minutes south of San Francisco, the central hub of business, finance, and culture in Northern California. Since the bustling city of San Francisco is only a few miles away, moving to San Mateo, California has been the choice of many families and young professionals.
This article aims to provide you with an overview of what to know about moving to San Mateo County and other fascinating facts to know about the region.
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Cities That Are the Most Desirable and Best Places in San Mateo County
In San Mateo, prospective homebuyers are spoiled with plenty of choices when it comes to wonderful neighborhoods to explore.
San Mateo County is a beautiful place to reside for a variety of reasons, including its proximity to the coastline, Bay Area, highlands, and urban areas. However, due to high housing costs and other living costs, finding a place to live in San Mateo County may be difficult for some families and young couples.
Here are some of the best place to live in San Mateo County:
South San Francisco
Housing Price Range: $1.2 million – $1.8 million
South San Francisco, California, is an option for families moving to San Mateo, California and are looking for a large city with plenty of leisure options and a welcoming environment. Aside from that, a large number of hospitals, fire stations, and police stations are conveniently positioned around the city, contributing to the strong sense of safety and security felt by locals.
San Bruno
Housing Price Range: $1.2 million – $2 million
Known as the “City with a Heart,” the picturesque city of San Bruno is known for its beautiful parks and safe, well-kept neighborhoods. It’s also become well-known as a central transportation hub for the surrounding area and, more lately, a booming powerhouse for California’s high-tech industry.
Millbrae
Housing Price Range: $849,000 – $3.6 million
Even though its economy is booming due to its close connection to the growing airport and the tourism that comes with it, Millbrae maintains its “small town” atmosphere. If you are exploring where to live in San Mateo County and prefer a laid-back lifestyle, Millbrae could be the best city for you!
Hillsborough
Housing Price Range: $3.7 million – $19.8 million
As Hillsborough evolved into a premium and exclusive residential community, property prices in the area were typically high-value. This was primarily attributable to the enormous size of the homes and the remarkable amenities they possessed.
San Mateo
Housing Price Range: $350,000 – $5 million
The city is home to several green spaces, including parks and hiking paths. San Mateo provides residents with both the conveniences of city life and the amenities of a suburban lifestyle, thanks to its thriving commercial sector and abundance of natural areas.
Burlingame
Housing Price Range: $660,000 – $6.7 million
One of the cities in California that is considered to be among the best and most desirable in the state, Burlingame is also home to many residences that are among the most sought in the surrounding area. Burlingame is often called “The City of Trees” because there are many trees around the city.
For more details about the best places in San Mateo County, please feel free to utilize our Interactive Map.
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I'm Considering a Move to San Mateo County. What Are the Pros and Cons of Living There?
Because relocating to a new location is always tricky, we have compiled a list of the pros and cons of moving to San Mateo, California.
PROS:
Ideal Weather Conditions
One of the most attractive Bay Area cities is San Mateo. One of this area’s many positive qualities is the pleasant year-round climate. There is a pleasing balance between warm summers and cool winters.
The climate in San Mateo County is ideal for those who wish to spend time outdoors.
Photo by Alexis Ricardo Alaurin
Many Green Spaces
San Mateo has everything you may want in a vacation spot or outdoor activity. The city’s moderate climate and abundance of parks and gardens make it a great place to enjoy the outdoors at any time of year.
Prime Location
San Mateo, California is a city that benefits greatly from its location on the San Francisco Peninsula. You can easily reach downtown San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and the Wine Country from here.
Those moving to work in San Mateo County also have an array of job opportunities to pursue because of its prime location in California. San Mateo is a city with options for both thrill seekers and those seeking tranquility. Enjoy the beautiful city and everything it has to offer.
CONS:
High Cost of Living
San Mateo’s cost of living is significantly greater than the average of most communities within the state and for all of the United States.
Housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and other miscellaneous products and services are generally more expensive in San Mateo compared to the neighboring areas in the state.
Affordability
Because San Mateo is one of the most desirable locations in California, relocating there may be financially challenging for some people, particularly those who are just starting their families.
However, as part of its initiative to increase housing choices for low-income families. The San Mateo Department of Housing – Moving-to-Work (MTW) Program is a subsidy for rent paid through a government-funded housing assistance program.
San Mateo County eligibility moving to work program helps low-income families pay their rent by covering a portion of their monthly costs.
What Is the Job Market Like in San Mateo County, CA?
The unemployment rate in San Mateo County was the lowest in California at 1.9% as of July 2022, which is encouraging for the economy in the wake of the epidemic. With its thriving business sector and robust economy, San Mateo County has a diverse workforce who can have temporary, regular, or full-time employment.
The Cost of Living in San Mateo County
San Mateo’s living costs are substantially higher than the average of the majority of other areas located in California. Several factors affect the cost of living in a particular place. To learn more about the cost of living in San Mateo County and have an in-depth understanding of how it affects you, please browse through our featured blog post here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any specific neighborhoods in San Mateo County that you would recommend?
The communities of Baywood, Hillsdale, San Mateo Park, and Shoreview in San Mateo are among the city’s most desirable places to live.
Where to get the original birth certificate if I live in San Mateo County but was born in San Francisco?
The Department of Public Health’s Office of Vital Records is where you should go if you need a copy of the original birth certificate of someone born in San Francisco who is younger than three years old.
Otherwise, the County Clerk should be able to provide you with an original birth certificate for anyone born in San Francisco and is older than three years.
How long does it take to live in San Mateo County to consider residency?
A person who was not born a U.S. citizen might become one through a process called “naturalization.” In most cases, you need to be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the U.S. for at least five years before you may apply for naturalization and become a citizen.
How many people live in San Mateo County?
According to the most recent statistics available from the United States Census, the population of San Mateo County, California is now estimated to be 773,640, demonstrating a year-over-year growth rate of 0.60%.
What are some of the biggest attractions in San Mateo County?
The San Mateo Japanese Garden, Sawyer Camp Trail, and Coyote Point Recreation Area are three of the most well-known tourist destinations in San Mateo County.
What are the schools like in San Mateo County?
San Mateo County is home to 23 different school districts. When compared to the rest of the state, San Mateo County has one of the greatest densities of excellent public schools.
If you’re looking to buy a house in the area, feel free to give us a call at (650) 629-9898, we’d be more than happy to help! Follow us on the following social media platforms to stay updated on the latest available listings and other news regarding San Mateo County.
