Young student moving to SF (San Francisco, Santa Monica: apartment, rentals, high crime)

[DarthStewdious]

Hello everyone,

I'm a 20 y/o male from the Midwest that has lived in the south bay for a year (san jose), and I have come to the conclusion that it is not for me. I have been to SF a few times and I love it! The people are classier and city is beautiful. Before I make the move, I had wanted to get some info first.

Do I need my car? I know the SF public transportation is good, but I need it to be dependable because I want to sell my car to save money ($340 saved a month). Secondly, I would like to get a place by myself and I wanted to know what neighborhood I can get a good apartment in for $800 to $1200. If possible I would like to find a neighborhood that houses people my age and is respectable. Also I wanted to know if anyone could point me in the direction of how do job searching in SF. Is there a certain swagger that employers look for, or is it just off of experience? I'm looking for a job that doesn't require a degree (yet).

If you guys out in City-Data land could help me it would be most appriciated. Also any additional advice that you could offer me about SF would be huge!

Thanks for your time,

Darth

[City Boy]

Do you need a Car? Not at all.

You can find a decent 1 bedroom apt. or inlaw for $1200 easy in a safe area. As for the job situation I don't think anyone can really help without seeing your resume. You'll have an easier time once you receive your degree.

[ImRandy]

I always sound so anti-public transportation but if you don't have a car you're stuck in the city. You save a lot of money without a car but you have to be sure that your section of the city absolutely satisfies all of your needs. If it doesn't then getting around can be a huge hassle.

At any rate, I would secure a job first before moving. Commuting will be a hassle but knowing exactly what funds you have to work with will make the process smoother.

[ComfortablyNumb]

I'd like to see some more of his questions answered

so bump

[cl78745]

Hi, I want to move to Palo Alto, Ca don't know what areas are safe. Looking for a two bedroom apt or house to rent. Can anyone help?

[Mr. Fantastic]

Originally Posted by cl78745

Hi, I want to move to Palo Alto, Ca don't know what areas are safe. Looking for a two bedroom apt or house to rent. Can anyone help?

East Palo Alto is a high crime area, stay away. Don't be tricked by the relatively low rents for the area. Everywhere else is good.

[allenk893]

Well for one thing, having just a high school degree, I suggest you look for a community college while your out there in San Francisco. Too many jobs out there require more than a high school degree and the low-end ones that do, are not enough to pay $800-1200 rent. So here's my suggestion. If you really want to move to SF, do it as low-cost and low stress as you can. Rent out a room in a shared apartment. Many people in big cities are doing it. I recommend via craigslist. You can find a room for $500-700 minimum anywhere in the Bay.

SF/Bay Area Shared Room Rentals

Also about community colleges. No sense in not furthering your education while you are trying to start a new life. Community college is definitely something you should consider. As for your city choice, I cannot imagine WHY you like San Francisco as a young single guy. I would have chose LA where there are more people your age and endless activities and hot spots to go to. The beaches are great and the women are gorgeous. But if SF is where your heart is, I recommend College of Alameda. Great CC with cheap tuition but you get a quality education. If you listen to my advice and go to LA, you should set your sights on Santa Monica College, world renowned, classic, CC located in the heart of LA. No other than Santa Monica. Just minutes to shopping and Venice Beach.

[mayorhaggar]

This topic is from 3 years ago.

cl78745, if you want to ask questions here you'll get more responses if you make your own topic instead of posting in one from several years ago.