Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#1

Post by iamanna » Sun, Oct 26, 2014, 4:32 AM UTC

Hi ,

I am from India and in 12 days from now I am moving to San Francisco. I would like to know where can I find apartment in quiet area ? I am married and my wife would travel with me. No kids. I have been to US in the past and lived in NC. In Raleigh we were renting 1 BR/1 BA for $950. This is first time we would live in Bay Area. We don't plan on staying too long in SF just one or two years. We both don't like in US but my company is pushing me a lot to go for couple of years.

I am looking for place that is available up to $1200 rent max. I am aware of fact that rents are extremely high in Bay Area but this may be rent we can afford.

We don't want to live in downtown or in SF for that matter. We are okay to live on east bay and travel to SF. My job will be in downtown. I am okay to travel as much as 25 miles one way.

I am basically looking for place with no drugs , no violence. Neither me or my wife drink. My wife won't work and will stay home.

I have done some research so far. Here are things I found - 1. Oakland is not so good area. There are some good neighborhoods but drugs and violence and loot is too large. 2. Some advised me to strictly avoid Tenderloin and Sacramento. 3. I don't know about Rockridge. Can anyone confirm if area is good / bad ? 4. Walnut creek is good but very very expensive. How about Concord ? Is Concord good area ? 5. What about Alameda ? Is it good ? Even if I have to pay $100 extra I am fine if its good area.

All other towns that are nice and quiet even though little far ?

Please comment any neighborhoods to strictly avoid.

Thank you very much for reading and helping us !

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#2

Post by andymoe » Sun, Oct 26, 2014, 6:52 AM UTC

Alameda is nice and quiet and the commute is good to SF. Rockridge is a good choice too. Oakland is workable if you can stay near lake Merritt or downtown. Your budget is pretty low but look around. Concord is a trek but could work. Same with Dublin/Pleasanton. Sacromento is way too far.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#3

Post by hashtag » Sun, Oct 26, 2014, 7:52 AM UTC

What you're asking for is most likely unrealistic...

Even tiny studios in bad neighborhoods tend to go for more than $1200 in majority of the bay area much less what you are asking for. The only way I can see you landing a place that meets your requirements is sharing a place with other renters or getting insanely lucky

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#4

Post by onedev » Sun, Oct 26, 2014, 7:59 AM UTC

"No drugs" is unrealistic. Chances are, a lot of people around you will do drugs, but they're completely normal people with good careers and lives. You have to understand that to an extent.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#5

Post by MalcolmDiggs » Sun, Oct 26, 2014, 8:44 AM UTC

Making gross generalizations about entire neighborhoods and cities is generally a bad idea. The bay area is extremely diverse, and neighborhoods themselves can feel quite different from block to block.

My suggestion is that you simply visit these neighborhoods (both during the day and at night) and see how you feel. It might be tempting to line up an apartment sight-unseen, but its really impossible to gauge a neighborhood's energy remotely.

The only cardinal rule is: stay reasonably close to the BART line if you expect to commute into SF from your home.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#6

Post by subrat_rout » Sun, Oct 26, 2014, 8:03 PM UTC

This is a very vague question with lots of facts not useful for a Bay Area person for giving you some inputs.

1.SF Bay Area is a very spread area. Just a quick Google will give a fair idea. (For example from San Pablo to San Jose span around 50 miles).

2. It will depend on where you will work. I believe initially you will prefer to a location close to your work place. If you have driven before in US and are willing to buy a car to make a long commute then it is possible to stay at a distant place with cheap rent from your work. But prepare to spend at least 1 hour each way on the road. Else you are going stay near a BART(Bay Area Rapid Transit) or Bus route.

3. In every part of Bay area there are some bad pockets/neighborhoods and good areas. You have to spend a bit more if you want to stay in a decent neighborhood. There is a good reason why those areas are pricey. But if you spend enough time looking around you may be able to find some good place at a reasonable price near to your work.

4. Before renting any place go to to Yelp, or apartment reviews sites and read other people's feedback. It is not always reliable. But if you are seeing an apartment or housing having several negative reviews in a row then you know there is something wrong with the place.

Hope this helps.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#7

Post by greggawatt » Mon, Oct 27, 2014, 5:43 PM UTC

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HA

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#8

Post by hackajack » Mon, Oct 27, 2014, 5:47 PM UTC

A $1200 rent for a one BR (or even a studio) in the Bay Area is impossible...or nearly so. Look at craigslist.com/apa and decide how far outside the city you are willing to live.

http://www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-neighborhoods-w...

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#9

Post by pinkman » Mon, Oct 27, 2014, 5:53 PM UTC

Are you sure on the "no drugs" thing? Because you are on drugs if you think such an apartment exists.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Live in San Francisco Bay Area?

#10

Post by dllthomas » Mon, Oct 27, 2014, 6:00 PM UTC

Rockridge is a "good neighborhood" in Oakland. There are others as well. I would highly recommend living in Oakland; I would weakly recommend against living in Oakland to work in SF - it's certainly possible but that's a crowded commute.