Ah, San Francisco — the destination of a lot of people’s dreams.  The housing mark there is surprisingly good — but only for certain price ranges.  We might as well say that right off the bat.  Homes in Sarasota, Florida may average out to a hundred grand or more, but homes in San Francisco are currently averaging out to more than five hundred grand.  Again, however, you have to remember that this town is home to the Painted Ladies.  You are looking at sprawling Victorian homes, the likes of which not even who knows how many years of Full House could really prepare you for.

So, in comparison with other areas, San Francisco is still an expensive place to live — but you have to realize that the real estate market there has undergone a very sharp decline since the housing crash, which means you could theoretically get a fantastic home there for what is, in comparison to what it once was, quite a steal.