Moving to San Francisco?
Start Here.
Introduction
This guide is designed for founders - and really for any operator, investor, or tech professional—who’s new to or contemplating a move to San Francisco.
Inside, I’ve compiled all the essential insights I wish I’d known before making the leap, along with a curated collection of community wisdom.
Think of it as your definitive roadmap to navigating the vibrant, sometimes wild, ecosystem of startups and tech in SF, the Peninsula and the South Bay area.
Shoutout
🥂Before we move on, we would like to give out a huge shout out to @michelleefang Michelle Fang for the https://www.startertosf.guide/ which has been a massive inspiration for us.
For most of the sections, the general idea is heavily derived from her hard work and we just mastered the fine tuning for the Indian diaspora. 🎊
This playbook is split into three parts:
🚀 Getting started (Day 0–30),
🌱 Thriving (Month 2+),
💼 Scaling (deep resources).
Thinkers
Curated perspectives, writings, and insights from people shaping the startup ecosystem.
Essentials
🚀 Getting started (Day 0–30)
Curated guides to the fundamentals of getting started in San Francisco.
SIM, banking, housing, docs, emergency contacts
Who this guide
is for?
The soon‑to‑arrive: plotting a move and craving real‑talk logistics.
The fresh arrivals: still calling SoMa “SOMA” and wondering which Slack invites to accept.
The locals: wanting deeper roots, new scenes, and fresher coffee spots.
Wherever you fall on that list, buckle up - this playbook will make the city feel smaller, the opportunities bigger, and your SF story a lot more fun.
Thriving
🧇 Thriving (Month 2+)
Communities, events, neighborhoods, food, etiquette
Curated advice on navigating relationships, opportunities, and daily life in the Bay Area.
Resources
Some founder favorite sections
Curated communities, tools, events, and platforms founders should know about.
For Builders Who Want the Inside Track
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