Consider moving to bay area from brazil (Oakland, Berkeley: 2013, rental)

[Vegankore]

Hey!

I must tell you guys at first that i've read many topics about the bay area, especially the ones considering OKL/Berkeley. So, im moving on to study in SF from january to september 2013.

I'm a 20 yrs old guy marketing student that is looking for a reasonable place to live in Bay area. Im looking for a "not so expensive" place, not far from SF itself... Im searching also for a low crime and full-recreational place, since im dragging my friends with me so we can form a pop-rock brazilian band to play on the bar scenes.

I hope you guys can give me some suggestions.

[DocGoldstein]

Originally Posted by Vegankore

Hey!

I must tell you guys at first that i've read many topics about the bay area, especially the ones considering OKL/Berkeley. So, im moving on to study in SF from january to september 2013.

I'm a 20 yrs old guy marketing student that is looking for a reasonable place to live in Bay area. Im looking for a "not so expensive" place, not far from SF itself... Im searching also for a low crime and full-recreational place, since im dragging my friends with me so we can form a pop-rock brazilian band to play on the bar scenes.

I hope you guys can give me some suggestions.

I'd say you should look in the East Bay. The East Bay is cheaper than S.F proper, and you have BART access pretty much all day (until 1am I believe).

What is your rental budget? That's going to determine where you can live in the East Bay, and trust me when I say there are neighborhoods you want to avoid.

[Vegankore]

Doc, i'll have like 800 dollars/month. BTW, im sharing an APT with 2 friends comming with me. And yes, i can cook well. which location in the east bay is cheaper and have a pretty easy BART access?! how much commuting time're we talking about to OAK/SF?

[04kL4nD]

Are you attending SFSU?

If you are, it's a 25 min drive from Oakland during non-rush hour traffic. With traffic I can sometimes take 45-60 mins

If you take BART, it's about a 30 min BART ride from West Oakland. There's a shuttle that will take you to SFSU that runs every 15 mins and takes about 10 mins. Average commute time is about 45 mins. $7.60 each way.

[DocGoldstein]

Originally Posted by Vegankore

Doc, i'll have like 800 dollars/month. BTW, im sharing an APT with 2 friends comming with me. And yes, i can cook well. which location in the east bay is cheaper and have a pretty easy BART access?! how much commuting time're we talking about to OAK/SF?

Is $800 a month just your share, or is $800 total for you and your two friends?

If your budget is $800 total, you won't have many options. West Oakland may be your only option. There are some very bad negatives to the neighborhood, it's full of crime, and considered one of the most dangerous hoods in the Bay Area. I'm not sure what your tolerance is coming from Brazil, but I think if you're going to live in West Oakland, you better be prepared for the crime you may encounter in the neighborhood.

[04kL4nD]

Unlike Doc, I ACTUALLY LIVE in West Oakland. I've lived here for the past 5 years!

Safety varies from block to block, but overall it's not nearly as dangerous as people like DocGoldstein claim. He's never lived in Oakland and I doubt he's spent any time there.

[DocGoldstein]

Here's an article about West Oakland written by a reputable journalist with no hidden agenda, just unbiased reporting, and fact finding. It's about gang intimidation in West Oakland.

'Hostages' at home: Intimidation spreads in Oakland, other violence-plagued cities

As someone who isn't a native to the area, I would recommend you disregard West Oakland as a place to live for your own personal safety.

[Vegankore]

Im used to crime in brazil... Doc, its $800 just for me. my friends'll have another funds. What about berkeley? is it too expensive?! how far's it to SFSU? And yes, i'm into SFSU.

[Vegankore]

$7,50? Ugh... thats expsensive!

[DocGoldstein]

Originally Posted by Vegankore

$7,50? Ugh... thats expsensive!

Well if you have a higher budget, then cross off West Oakland. There are FAR better options. Berkeley would be in your range. Berkeley is a cool college town, and has BART access to get across the Bay.