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Moving to San Francisco Bay Area

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1Nation

Active Member
May 16, 2013
657
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28
CA
Any CFers live in or previously live in the Bay Area? I've accepted a position with my company there and while my wife and I have visited many times, visiting somewhere and living somewhere are completely different.

We don't have any kids but aren't opposed to living in the burbs as long as it has things going on. I've lived in large cities before and have come to find that nearly every neighborhood has it own hot spots, you don't always have to be downtown. We're young professionals and I'll be working downtown near AT&T park/Bay Bridge. Wife has a job, but territory undetermined right now. We are willing to live anywhere, north bay, east bay, peninsula as long as it's about 25 minutes downtown without traffic and up to 1 hour or 1:15 in traffic. Basically the opens us up to San Rafael, Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Novato, Redwood City.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for location? Is there anywhere we absolutely must avoid? Anywhere that's maybe a hidden gem?
 
was driving through Tenderloin one time and watched a hooker give a homeless guy a hand job while waiting at a stop light. in mid day, in the middle of the sidewalk.

But ya crazy expensive. I've never lived there but am there for work all the time.
 
Oakland actually has a lot of newer neighborhoods young professionals live in, recommendations for those neighborhoods appreciated.

Also aware of costs, but thanks
 
Pretty sure SF area was just names most expensive city to live in the US (maybe the world?). Prepare to spend the big bucks for everything. Great area though.
 
The first time I went there I got off at the wrong train stop...Went to a store to ask directions and the sign on the front door said:

"Dildos, butt plugs, we have THE BULGE!"

Went in and got directions and when I left the nice man at the counter said next time they would like it if I came in the back door. Bud-ump-ching!

That's a true story though.
 
Direct message Buster28. He helped me out with vacation details a few years ago. He used to live in the SF area I believe.
 
Be sure to wear a flower in your hair.
Give frequently to panhandlers because the more you give, the more it solves the problem.
Ask any person with ear gauges where the Walmart is in Bolinas.
 
1Nation said:
Any CFers live in or previously live in the Bay Area? I've accepted a position with my company there and while my wife and I have visited many times, visiting somewhere and living somewhere are completely different.

We don't have any kids but aren't opposed to living in the burbs as long as it has things going on. I've lived in large cities before and have come to find that nearly every neighborhood has it own hot spots, you don't always have to be downtown. We're young professionals and I'll be working downtown near AT&T park/Bay Bridge. Wife has a job, but territory undetermined right now. We are willing to live anywhere, north bay, east bay, peninsula as long as it's about 25 minutes downtown without traffic and up to 1 hour or 1:15 in traffic. Basically the opens us up to San Rafael, Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Novato, Redwood City.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for location? Is there anywhere we absolutely must avoid? Anywhere that's maybe a hidden gem?
Click to expand...

Have you looked into moving costs yet? I'm considering moving to Austin and kind of wary of the cost of moving my stuff. I know the two cities aren't close in distance from here but just trying to get a ballpark figure
 
If you are young and have no kids, live in the city. Lots of great neighborhoods, find one that interests you and go for it. Access to bus line, trolley, or BART is essential. I lived across the street from Golden Gate Park and two blocks from the ocean, called Outer Richmond. Had a great time.
 
1Nation, I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but I believe San Fransisco is expensive. Are you aware?
 
ianoconnor said:
1Nation, I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but I believe San Fransisco is expensive. Are you aware?
Click to expand...

But it sounds like the ambiance found simply by driving in the Tenderloin district makes the high cost worth it.

I'm guessing places like SF, NY, Hawaii, etc are expensive because they are worth it.
 
My son just rented an average, but not great house in Santa Cruz, 50 miles down the coast. 1300 sq ft, 3 bedrooms with 2 'not-so-legal' bedrooms in the garage. $3350/mo. Is it nice out there? - - beyond words.
 
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thatguy said:
was driving through Tenderloin one time and watched a hooker give a homeless guy a handy while waiting at a stop light. in mid day, in the middle of the sidewalk.

But ya crazy expensive. I've never lived there but am there for work all the time.
Click to expand...



^^^tax deduction, cuz she didn't charge for it.
 
I lived in SF since 2007, just moved to the Lake Merritt area of Oakland in July. Quick breakdown:

SF
Best Neighborhoods (read: Most Expensive) - The Mission, Hayes Valley, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, Noe Valley, Seacliff, Pac Heights, Lower Haight, NOPA, Castro
Residential and the boondocks - Glen Park, Bernal Heights, Outer Richmond, Outer Sunset, Portola, Excelsior, Twin Peaks
Stabby - Tenderloin (but that's changing fast), Bayview, Visitacion Valley, parts of Western Addition
Fratbro & Sorostitute-central - The Marina, North Beach

East Bay
Best Neighborhoods/Cities (slightly less expensive) - Lake Merritt (Oakland), Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Temescal (Oakland), Piedmont, Moraga (Oakland), Rockridge (Oakland)
Boring, but somewhat inexpensive: Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Hayward, San Leandro
Stabby - West Oakland, East Oakland, Richmond

North Bay
All of it's really beautiful, and slightly slower paced. Get ready for a ***** of a commute every day though. Driving across the GG Bridge loses its appeal after you're stuck in traffic for days in a row.

Avoid the peninsula. Anywhere with a decent population density and fun stuff to do like Mountain View or Palo Alto (places without endless rows of tech campuses) is almost as expensive as SF or Oakland.

PM me if you want more info.
 
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Don't live in the city unless you're household income is around $150k minimum. I lived there a few years ago (San Mateo) and paid $1800 for a one bedroom that was 600 square feet. I still talk to friends there that say how awful the housing situation is (look up any newspaper out there and search for stories about cost and you'll find plenty). Young professionals are finding it harder and harder to make it work there and although Oakland has a bad rap, people are fleeing the city of SF and moving to Oakland because it's more affordable. I have a client that lives in SF in a decent neighborhood but nothing great. 700 square feet for over $3000 a month. no dishwasher. no laundry, no parking. it's a fantastic city to visit but living there unless you are pretty well off is extremely tough.

All that being said there are burbs that are close that are fun. I liked San Mateo. Millbrae isn't bad. Anywhere along the peninsula is decent and also has the CalTrain to take you to the city quick and cheap.
 
sdillon500 said:
I lived in SF since 2007, just moved to the Lake Merritt area of Oakland in July. Quick breakdown:

SF
Best Neighborhoods (read: Most Expensive) - The Mission, Hayes Valley, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, Noe Valley, Pac Heights, Lower Haight, NOPA
Residential and the boondocks - Outer Richmond, Outer Sunset, Portola, Visitacion Valley
Stabby: Tenderloin (but that's changing fast), Bayview, Excelsior
Fratbro & Sorostitute-central - The Marina, North Beach

East Bay
Best Neighborhoods/Cities (slightly less expensive) - Lake Merritt (Oakland), Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Temescal (Oakland), Piedmont, Moraga (Oakland)
Boring, but somewhat inexpensive: Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Hayward, San Leandro
Stabby: West Oakland, East Oakland, Richmond

North Bay
All of it's really beautiful, and slightly slower paced. Get ready for a ***** of a commute every day though. Driving across the GG Bridge loses its appeal after you're stuck in traffic for days in a row.

Avoid the peninsula. Anywhere with a decent population density and fun stuff to do like Mountain View or Palo Alto (places without endless rows of tech campuses) is almost as expensive as SF or Oakland.

PM me if you want more info.
Click to expand...
Agreed on that part of the peninsula but thought the OP said it had to be north of Redwood City which Palo Alto and Mountain View are both well south of there. Traffic does suck though on the peninsula.
 
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