What's a decent area for a young single? (San Jose, San Francisco: apartments, low crime)

[ragnarkar]

I'm finishing up grad school and will be considering moving somewhere around the Bay Area, San Jose, Sacramento, LA, and SD.. what are some areas to consider based on the following criteria?

Requirements:

A sizable young population (age 20 - 30)
Public transportation is practical as an alternative to driving
NO Suburban Sprawl
Alternatives to Big-Box departments stores nearby

Would be nice to have but not required:

Reasonable rents for single-bedroom apartments
Ethnic diversity
Nightlife
Average to low crime rate
Not a college town
Not a bedroom community

I could care less about... :

Affordable and available single-family housing
Family-friendly community
Churches, Religious/spiritual services
Good public schools

[jcp123]

Only place that fits your criteria would be San Francisco. California is a car-based state, that alone pretty much kills any other contender, and it fits all or your required criteria. Also has great ethnic diversity and nightlife, but is far from what you'd call reasonable rents. My brother rents a 600sf (if that) studio apartment there for $1200/mo, and that's considered a good rate.

[Des_Demona]

All those places you listed are college towns.... soooo they are all off your list if that is something that is important to you but since it is not a requirement, the ONLY place on your list of interests that would fit ALL of those things is San Francisco. Based on your interests I would avoid Southern California.