Nearly Half May Move From Bay Area Per Silicon Valley Poll

SAN JOSE, CA -- Almost half of those surveyed in a poll given to residents in five counties say they are likely to move out of the Bay Area in the next few years, but only 6 percent say they have definite plans to leave in 2019, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group reported.

The percentage of those unsatisfied came in at 44 percent.

Among those contemplating a move, more than three-quarters of the people surveyed cited two huge concerns that have monopolized the conversation in the South Bay. Seventy-seven percent indicated high housing costs while 76 percent say it’s the cost of living, the Leadership Group announced.

Other factors feeding discontent include traffic congestion at 51 percent, with the quality of life coming in at 45 percent. Taxes are not far behind at 41 percent.

The poll of 1,568 registered voters in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco counties was conducted between Feb. 14 and 24 by FM3 Research for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and the Bay Area News Group. The latter publishes the San Jose Mercury News.

“We need to take big, bold, transformative steps before we lose the talented people who keep the engine of Silicon Valley, and our innovation economy, running,” Silicon Valley Leadership Group chief Carl Guardino said.

The perceptions of what currently ails the San Francisco Bay Area is fairly consistent across all five counties, with 83 percent saying the cost of housing is the most serious problem, followed by the cost of living at 81 percent. Homelessness comes in third at 79 percent, followed by traffic congestion at 76. In fifth place, wildfires represent a growing concern, with 70 percent listing the problem.