Real advice from 17 international founders who moved to San Francisco — no editorial gloss.
5,894 views. 17 answers from founders who have actually done it. No editorial gloss -- just the unfiltered advice, attributed to the people who gave it.
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The Advice
"Just move. Do not overthink it."
-- Fernando Pereira (@Fpereiramms)
"Start making friends on X before moving. By the time you land, you will already have people to meet."
-- Nao Yukawa (@nyneurotech), Lifestack
"Go to all the events you can find the first week you are here. Apply to them a month in advance. Scan Luma every 2 to 3 days starting 30 days before you arrive."
-- Harsha Abegunasekara (@stanlyyaa)
"You are not ready for the culture shock. But if you made it this far, nothing is stopping you. Do not try to fit in -- find people that fit with your personality."
-- Daniel Merja (@danielmerja), gotogether.ai
"Bring your real network, not your professional one. The people who have seen you fail matter more than those who have only seen you win."
-- @OnPurposeWrong
"Understand what you plan to gain and work backwards. If it is networking you can start online. To pitch VCs you need connections or YC."
-- Jyothi Venkat (@jyothiwrites)
"Do not lose your personality trying to fit in."
-- Jai Sharma (@jsjai3009)
"Save up a ton of money."
-- @RyanJunejo
"Never go to grocery stores. Use Amazon Prime."
-- Joshua Park (@JoshuaIPark)
"Just know you will not want to go back."
-- David (@deepfieldnorth)
"Ramen is SF fuel."
-- @_Andresio
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What the Patterns Say
Read across all 17 answers and a few things repeat. Move faster than feels comfortable. Show up in person, especially the first few weeks. Do not try to perform a version of yourself that fits the SF archetype -- the founders who build real relationships here are the ones who stayed themselves.
The Luma advice from Harsha is probably the most actionable thing on this page. The SF event scene is dense but navigable if you start looking a month out. Most of the best events are invite-only or small-cap. Scanning early is how you get in.
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Add Your Advice
If you are an international founder who has made the move to SF, your one piece of advice belongs here.
Submit your advice
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Last updated: March 2026 | Sources: community Twitter thread (5,894 impressions)
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