Good neighborhoods in San Francisco

[theytsejam]

Anyone here familiar with San Francisco? I'm a student at UC Berkeley and housing plans fell through for my last month here (August). My friend and I thought it would be cool to spend this last month in SF. Can anyone who's familiar with the city help me out with suggestions as to where in the city to look? We're looking for someplace that (1) is not too scummy, (2) is not too expensive, (3) has easy access to BART (20 minutes or less by public transport), and (4) is at least a little interesting. Also, does anyone know how easy it is to find month-to-month leases in SF?

Thanks in advance!

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: theytsejam
Anyone here familiar with San Francisco? I'm a student at UC Berkeley and housing plans fell through for my last month here (August). My friend and I thought it would be cool to spend this last month in SF. Can anyone who's familiar with the city help me out with suggestions as to where in the city to look? We're looking for someplace that (1) is not too scummy, (2) is not too expensive, (3) has easy access to BART (20 minutes or less by public transport), and (4) is at least a little interesting. Also, does anyone know how easy it is to find month-to-month leases in SF?

Thanks in advance!

Not too expensive and San Francisco don't go together. There are cheaper parts in SF to live but not cheap.

 

[paulney]

I think you'll have much better luck with inexpensive in Berkeley/Oakland, than in SF. Commute will be much easier, too.

 

[ChaoZ]

Sunnydale? Might not meet your definition of a good neighborhood though.

 

[theytsejam]

I know we can't ask for everything. By "not too scummy" I mean somewhere where I don't have to worry about bums going to the bathroom on my doorstep (like I've been told is a frequent occurrence in the Tenderloin) and similar stuff. And I realize SF is an expensive city, but I feel like there must be tons of places with rent cheaper than in Berkeley close to campus. I'm splitting a 1 br for $1675/month about 6 blocks from campus right now, and the place isn't even that nice. So by "not too expensive" I mean "not totally unreasonable".

 

[WildHorse]

``

 

[compman25]

Tenderloin, Hunters Point, Polk St, any of those should be fine for you.

 

[Kaieye]

I'm renting out a space near 17th and Mission(one block from BART) for $2000.00. Its a flat with two bedrooms and a bath. Area is infested with crime and filth but is ideal for hipsters...

 

[0roo0roo]

too scared to live in oakland?;0

 

[mrkun]

I'm in a similar situation actually. What do people think of the Mission?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: mrkun
I'm in a similar situation actually. What do people think of the Mission?

Mission has good night life but honestly, too dirty/grimmey to live in

 

[cirrrocco]

How about sunset?? easy parking, acess to golden gate, rent is much cheaper and 20-30 mins to get to downtown.

 

[JohnAn2112]

Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Sunnydale? Might not meet your definition of a good neighborhood though.

Sunnydale is awesome if you don't mind the vampires.

If you're thinking of Sunnyvale, that's 45 minutes south of San Francisco by car.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Marina / Presidio

 

[Dirigible]

Do I have this straight? You want to rent an apartment for only one month?

 

[theytsejam]

That's right. It may be a short term thing, or I could stay in SF, depending on where I get a job this fall.

 

[mrkun]

Can anyone vouch for Sunset?

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

I love going to SF to hang out, but I would never want to live there.

You will pay 2-3 times as much as you would anywhere else for 2-3 times less quality.

 

[ChaoZ]

Originally posted by: mrkun
Can anyone vouch for Sunset?

It's a nice and quiet neighborhood. Public transportation isn't as great as the rest of the city though.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: mrkun
Can anyone vouch for Sunset?

Foggy. Not the most fun neighborhood for a youngster. The people I know who live there are middle-aged family types.

Rents should be cheaper there. Not scummy.

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: OneOfTheseDays
I love going to SF to hang out, but I would never want to live there.

You will pay 2-3 times as much as you would anywhere else for 2-3 times less quality.

That isn't true. My buddy rents a 2-BR place in Cole Valley with an outstanding view for $1400 a month. Rent control sucks for landlords but can be great for tenants. I think they are only allowed to raise rents 2-3% a year after you move in.

The OP's case is a difficult one though as rents can be outrageous for new tenants. It will be extremely difficult to find a place to rent for one month.

If I were you and didn't mind sharing a place I would try Couch Surfing

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: theytsejam
I know we can't ask for everything. By "not too scummy" I mean somewhere where I don't have to worry about bums going to the bathroom on my doorstep (like I've been told is a frequent occurrence in the Tenderloin) and similar stuff. And I realize SF is an expensive city, but I feel like there must be tons of places with rent cheaper than in Berkeley close to campus. I'm splitting a 1 br for $1675/month about 6 blocks from campus right now, and the place isn't even that nice. So by "not too expensive" I mean "not totally unreasonable".

Holy crap where are you living? West side? I was there living 5-6 blocks off of campus on southside for $800/month for a 1 bedroom. Most of them go at most $1K

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: mrkun
Can anyone vouch for Sunset?

My grandmother and a couple aunts have lived in Sunset since at least the early 80s. Been up there quite a bit and even lived there for 2 weeks years ago. In general, very quiet in the Outer Sunset; but especially past Sunset Ave. Often foggy and downright cold, even in summer. Inner Sunset and just west of 19th ave are where most of the shops and restaurants are - some sections are downright busy in comparison to the mundane Outer Sunset.

Transportation is pretty decent to downtown as long as you don't live too many streets away from either Taraval or Judah streets - MUNI streetcars run on those streets and will take you straight into downtown.

 

[wwswimming]

you can get a studio in the Richmond for $1100, then you have a 38 bus ride to get to
BART plus you're near the ocean which will come in handy when the summer heat
starts kicking in.