I'm looking on Craigslist and a few other sites Google dredged up, but can't help feeling there's a better way to go about doing this. Anybody?
Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
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Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#2I want to know too -- I'm moving there in January.
I've been looking on housingmaps.com and using earthify.org w/ Google Maps, trying to find a place that looks like it would be a feasible commute.
I can't decided if I'd be content to just rent a room from someone with an apartment (like I've always done in Boston), or if it's better to go for a full-fledged apartment of my own.
Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#3Depending on the city, look for local management companies that own multiple complexes. I'm in Palo Alto and Vittoria Management has like 10 buildings (vrent.com). They will post them on their website before posting them on Craigslist. Things go so fast on CL that's it's not even worth it.
Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#4I have an apartment in SF with a room opening up in January. Email is in my profile.
Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#5When I had to find a place, I wrote a script to alert me to new worthwhile postings.
Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#6Walk around the neighborhoods you like, look for 'for rent' signs.
Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#7Slightly OT, but can we expand this question to the Seattle area as well?
Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#8When I had to find a place, I wrote a script to alert me to new worthwhile postings.
I find an RSS reader is pretty good at this too.
Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#9Depending on the city, look for local management companies that own multiple complexes. I'm in Palo Alto and Vittoria Management has like 10 buildings (vrent.com). They will post them on their website before posting them on Craigslist. Things go so fast on CL that's it's not even worth it.
For what it's worth, I live in a Vittoria Management apartment in Palo Alto, and I've been satisfied with their management.
Re: Ask HN: What besides Craigslist is a good way to find an apartment in the Bay Area?
#10Yeah, bay area apartment searching is a bitch. CL is by far the best tool though, you just have to learn how to do it right.
The biggest tip is to post a 'room wanted' ad - most people will only post a room if they don't find a fit there. Make your post stand out - don't give the same boring life story that everyone does - it's not relevant for a house. Post your phone number and the times you're available. When you inspect, make sure you're prepared to write a check on the spot (and say that you can in your post).
It's easy to get desperate and take anything that is offered, but don't let desperation convince you to settle for something that will piss you off in a months time. Short term hotels are a good solution while looking for a place - you can get a small dorm-style room for around $500 per month, month-to-month rent.
Good luck!