Moving to Marin County

When Moving to Marin, Hire Locally

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Last Updated : February 28, 2024 2:07 PM by Hannah Lucas

I grew up in Marin County north of San Francisco, and in the 1950s and ’60s it was a natural paradise” -Huey Lewis

Back in the 1960s and ’70s, Marin County came to national prominence as a hot tub-loving hippie enclave. Then, as now, small communities crouched at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais. Towns such as Larkspur, San Anselmo and Sausalito, made a whole, surprisingly cohesive, unit known simply as “Marin.” Today, Marin is known for its terrific schools, the Dipsea Cross-Country Race, spectacular vistas, and Skywalker Ranch. While the hippies are (mostly) gone, Marin remains unique—an incredible place to live or work. Here you can find out what to expect when moving in Marin County.

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Of course, some of the features that make Marin unique make the process of moving to, from or within Marin out of the ordinary. That’s why it’s important to find a moving company that knows Marin inside and out.

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Here are some of the distinct characteristics of the area that make Marin expertise essential for a Marin move:

Marin is mountainous

Sausalito is famously steep. However, Mill Valley, Fairfax, and other towns also feature homes set on steep, winding roads. It’s important to find a moving company that understands how to navigate Marin’s narrow streets, especially when driveways and other turnaround spots can be scarce. Not every size truck can navigate these roads so you must rely on a professional moving estimator  to determine what size truck will fit your needs.

Nothing is flat

Many Marin houses and even apartment buildings perch on stilts or have long staircases from road to door. Even less vertiginous towns, such as Tiburon or San Rafael, tend to have multilevel, hillside homes. Movers who regularly work in Marin know to take into consideration multiple staircases and how to maneuver the furniture on them when planning a job.

Traffic

Marin doesn’t experience much daytime traffic. However, in the morning there is significant traffic travelling south on Highway 101 towards San Francisco and the East Bay as people are on their way to work. Similarly, in the late afternoon and into the evening, there is also significant traffic going north on the 101 as residents are returning home from work. When there is a big event in San Francisco going on, there may be increased traffic as residents from many different places are trying to access the Golden Gate Bridge or Bay Bridge at the same time. There are many amazing ferry services in Marin County that can be used to beat the traffic  into big cities.

Marin is picturesque…and confusing

Part of what makes Marin so lovely is the lack of a roadway grid. Even so, getting around Marin for a new resident can be extremely confusing. Many newcomers get befuddled in Ross when Sir Francis Drake Boulevard transforms from a major artery to a rural lane, or they get caught in unexpected noonday traffic on 101 in San Rafael. Whatever the cause of confusion, it’s better to choose a mover who knows how to get around Marin without having to rely on the security of Google Maps.

Home Pricing

The prices of homes in Marin County have risen substantially in the past 10 years and still climb to this day. As population increases and there is more of a demand for space in the sought after Bay Area. This has caused home prices to consequentially rise alongside the demand. If you choose to buy or rent here, you will pay a much higher price than you would in other parts of the country. However, it’s arguable that it’s the price you have to pay to live in such a favorable location.

Events & Activities

Year round, people visit the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael for a variety of live performances, events, and fairs. During Fleet Week in San Francisco, the Blue Angels planes can be seen from coastal parts of Sausalito, such as the Marin Headlands or Fort Baker. Most cities in the county such as San Rafael, Fairfax, and a many others hold weekly farmer’s markets to attend. These can be exclusively during the summer months as well as year-round.  With San Francisco right next door, there are endless activities to do when living in Marin County.