Ingleside is a San Francisco neighborhood known for its unique community spirit and affordable rental value. The neighborhood is located in San Francisco's southwestern portion and offers an urban atmosphere. The land area takes up just about one-third of a square mile, and it is home to about 9,600 residents. This means that the population density is much higher here than throughout the rest of San Francisco. With so much to offer its residents, Ingleside can make for a fantastic home.

Demographics

The median age of residents in Ingleside is 39.1 for men and 41.6 for women. The median household size is 3.5 in Ingleside, which is higher than the median for San Francisco. About half of the households in Ingleside are made up of families. Married couples make up about 50% of the families. More than 30% of Ingleside's residents have not attained more than a high school degree. Educational attainment tends to be lower than the rest of the state's across the board; however, a high percentage of children are enrolled in private institutions rather than public schools. The most popular occupations among men in Ingleside include positions in service, sales, construction, maintenance, and transportation. The most popular occupations among women in this neighborhood include positions in management, education, service, and offices. The median household income among Ingleside residents is nearly $75,000 annually. This is just slightly lower than the city's median. Just about 11% of Ingleside residents live below the poverty line.

Culture

Ingleside does not offer a tremendous amount of nightlife, nor is it a shopper's paradise. Instead, this neighborhood is home to families with children, singles, and professionals. Ocean Avenue is probably the most "happening" section of the neighborhood, offering restaurants, cafes, and small shops. Taking a walk down the street can be a quiet experience. Plenty of great "hole in the wall" restaurants are right along Ocean Avenue in Ingleside; however, April Nine is one of the most popular and it is located on Randolph Street. It offers affordable Thai food with a delicious twist. If you are determined to hit up Ocean, you will find that it is crawling with college students, many of whom are waiting for food at Beep's Burgers. Of course, Ingleside is not a nighttime hangout. There are really only two bars in the area, and they are not nightclub material. These are places where you can become a "regular." Togetherness is a strong component of Ingleside life. The IT Bookman Community Center offers neighborhood activities, including fish fries, crab boils, and zumba classes. The community center offers affordable alternatives to other forms of entertainment.

Quality of Life

Public transportation is easy in Ingleside, with three Muni rail lines accessible. Several bus lines are also easy to navigate. Most Ingleside residents will travel between 15 to 35 minutes each day to get to work. Additionally, Ingleside is extremely easy to bike. Still, many errands are easily accomplish by foot. Homes in Ingleside tend to offer two bedrooms, while some offer three. Studio homes are few and far between, but apartment hunters are sure to find something as well. The average value of the homes in this neighborhood is about $585,478, which is considerably less than the city's average. Interestingly enough, nearly half of the homes in this neighborhood were built in 1939 or earlier. Unfortunately, Ingleside is not considered San Francisco's safest neighborhood. It has a high crime index of 523.1, whereas the United States average is just 244.1. On the bright side, most of the crime in this neighborhood is not violent. The most common instances are those of theft or burglary, not involving weapons or threat of harm. Overall, Ingleside has made attempts to improve its reputation. It has planted a community garden and has plans to widen more sidewalks in the neighborhood. The Ingleside Library opened in 2009, making books more accessible for the neighborhood's residents and nearby college students. No longer are people driving through Ingleside to go elsewhere. They are actually making attempts to shop and dine locally.

Best Known For

Ingleside is not a town with a lot of entertainment or many attractions. Actually, Ingleside is considered a strongly residential area. Many students also find that Ingleside is an affordable place to live if you attend San Francisco State University and want to be able to walk to school. The neighborhood is also close to the City College of San Francisco.


You may also have heard of Ingleside because of its large sundial in Ingleside Terrace, which is more suburban. The sundial also makes the perfect destination for a run or other outdoor workout. While the neighborhood may not be known for its parks and recreation, it does have a few walkways that are perfect for spending some time in the crisp air. Ingleside could be your new home, but its unique vibe certainly isn't for everybody. If you are looking for other neighborhoods in this region, consider Oceanview, Ingleside Terraces, Westwood Park, or Outer Mission. This neighborhood is commonly compared to Excelsior, but of course, it has many of its own benefits.