Things are looking up these days, and many home buyers who postponed purchase plans in the wake of Covid are back on track.
You may know how many bedrooms and bathrooms you’d prefer, but are you solid when it comes to neighborhood preferences? There’s a lot to consider—proximity to public transportation, good Walk Scores, easy freeway access, good parks.
But make sure you don’t overlook the astrological angle when putting together your list of preferred neighborhoods. What your zodiac sign says about you could have everything to do with whether you’ll be happy in your future home. And as my company, Corcoran Global Living, always says: “Live who you are.”
So let’s have a little fun and see what the stars have to say about where you should settle:
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20): Daring, spontaneous and full of energy, you’ll appreciate constantly developing Mission Bay. The neighborhood bustles with activity from the biotech and medical industries. And the adjacent waterfront offers a variety of activities. Giants/Warriors games and Chase Center concerts will be back in the north-so-distant future, and there are lots of restaurants in the area.
TAURUS (Apr 21-May 21): Your down-to-earth spirit, taste for finer things and appreciation for tradition and security may lead you to Nob Hill. It’s a classic San Francisco neighborhood that has a thriving art scene, diverse food culture and access to outdoor adventures further north.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21): You’re youthful, lively, adaptable, and easily bored. One minute you want to be social, the next you want to commune with nature. Cow Hollow is a good bet. You can roam outdoor bars, restaurants and cafes parklets along Union Street, and if you get tired of that, head to the waterfront or cross the nearby Golden Gate Bridge and commune with nature in Marin.
CANCER (June 22-July 22): Emotional, imaginative and moody Cancers will feel right at home by the water in the Outer Richmond. There’s space to breathe, and easy access to Land’s End when you want to stand at the edge of the world and contemplate life. But you adapt easily to sea or land, so whether it’s a run, walk or bike on the Great Highway alongside Ocean Beach or in Golden Gate Park, you’ll be happy in this popular neighborhood.
LEO (July 23-Aug 21): Ah, Leo. You’re a social butterfly, a cool creative and an entrepreneur all in one. But you can be a bit pompous and patronizing at times, too. That’s why Potrero Hill is a perfect fit. You can look down from atop the hill and have command over your city. Because it’s all at your fingertips, from excellent dinner and brunch spots to a vibrant design center. And there’s a Whole Foods there, because where else would you buy your groceries?
VIRGO (Aug 22-Sep 23): You’re analytical, modest, shy, practical and diligent; you may in fact be an accountant or work in finance. Consider Westwood Park. This quiet, more suburban area has a unique, oval former racetrack at its center, and a very organized grid of streets around it. Ocean Avenue is a few blocks away, with Muni access to downtown, as well as the Balboa Park BART station. And it’s only a few minutes’ drive to 280 and the South Bay.
LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23): Being romantic, charming, easygoing, sociable and peaceable means you’ll love walking out your door and being able to hang out at cafes or a highly urban park where you can meet friends and take your usual neutral position on politics and other issues. Your well-trained aesthetic eye is also often drawn to classic San Francisco Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Focus your house hunt on Mission Dolores. You can hang in Mission Dolores Park, or wander into the Mission to enjoy its numerous cafes, restaurants, art galleries or shops.
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22): There’s nothing like a good dose of power and drama to light up a Scorpio. You’re full of life, determined, magnetic and need a neighborhood to match. Try South Beach. Filled with some of the city’s renowned restaurants and bars, South Beach also has a great waterfront along the Embarcadero—and a variety of vendors and restaurants in the excellent Ferry Building.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 22): Restless, optimistic Sagittarius are also philosophical and intellectual. They are great candidates for the culture, history and vibe in North Beach. Grabbing coffee at one of the many cafes, popping in at City Lights bookstore and hanging out in Washington Square Park are great ways to spend time in your neighborhood. It’ll be easy to carve out your haunts and regularly throw a few new ones in, too.
CAPRICORN (Dec 23-Jan 20): You are success driven, but also seek stability and have a practical bent. Russian Hill will make you feel right at home. One of San Francisco’s icons, Russian Hill sets the bar for what makes a neighborhood great. You’ll be thrilled with the classic, Tales of the City architecture, Polk Street shops and restaurants, and the picturesque streets.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19): Witty, clever, humanitarian, inventive and original—Aquarius feel most at home in quirky, small-town Bernal Heights. The neighborhood has a strong sense of community, and a variety of interesting, independently operated small businesses along Cortland. Because it’s all there—artisanal goods, brewery, sushi, and more.
PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20): You’re artistic, imaginative, and musical. That’s why Hayes Valley is a great neighborhood pick. You can enjoy a glass of champagne on one block, buy gourmet chocolates on another, or spend an evening attending performances at the SF Jazz Center, Symphony, Ballet or Opera when they’re back in action.