San Mateo/Foster City job, rents too expensive (San Jose, Hayward: hardwood floors, appointed)

[sinay]

Hello,

I am a 45-year old female, single, no kids. I got a job in San Mateo, close to Foster City border and will be moving to the Bay area in 2 months.

My first plan was to rent a 1-bed apartment very close to my company, so I could walk to my workplace instead of using a car, but after seeing the prices of apartment complexes around that area... I'm very disappointed. I was expecting $$$, but it's really crazy. I will have around $6K net/month, which in my mind was an awesome salary for a single person, but it looks like I will be paying close to 50% of my pay cheque just for rent. Is that right?

My number 1 priority is a VERY safe neighbourhood/complex, I have no concerns living alone here in Canada but I am not sure how things are in US (no disrespect, I just don't know). Then, I need to find a place with no carpets (severe allergy) which restricts my options to "renovated" apartments only (at least the complexes I saw online). Finally, I really would like to have an in-house washer/dryer. It would be great to be close to some shopping/groceries, night-life is not important at all, maybe a few restaurants/cafe if possible, but not a big issue, I can drive for that.

So, tell me the truth, am I asking too much? Can I find this anywhere, within a reasonable commute (30 min?), for maybe $2,000, $2,500 tops? The places I saw were around $3K/month.
:-(

If not possible in Foster City or San Mateo, which other cities would be OK? Burlingame seems nice, but it's expensive too. All places I looked were expensive when I chose a 1-bed apartment, "renovated" (no carpet), with W/D... is there no hope for me? I found a place in Hayward that looked OK, but I read old posts here saying that area is not safe, and I don't want that.

Where else should I look? San Carlos, Belmont? What about Redwood Shores, is it unsafe too? San Bruno? HR told me the commute is better coming north to south than the other way, is that true? They even said I could live in SF and it would be OK to drive to work everyday... I am not sure about that.

I am still reading old posts about these areas and checking some Craigslist adds , but if you can give me some suggestions already, that would be awesome!

PS: that may sound a stupid question but... will I be the "odd one" being a single woman but older? It seems there is a lot of single young people or married about my age in the Bay area and I am neither.

Thanks!

[ccm123]

Yes, the rents in the Peninsula neighborhoods are expensive. There is high demand for them and the neighborhoods are generally nice and safe. Try places a little further north/south, such as San Bruno, or Mountain View (MV may not be a whole lot less for rent), or across the Bay (Castro Valley, etc) which definitely will be less expensive.

[twins4lynn]

There are a few out there. I just did a quick search on Craigslist and found two apartments w/hardwood floor, washer/dryer, and in a good area.

In Burlingame, hardwood floors throughout, washer/dryer (but not specified if in unit), $2000 - https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/apa/4411388921.html

In Foster City, hardwood floors throughout, washer/dryer in unit, $2390 - https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/apa/4427349769.html

[jade408]

There are quite a few apartments around downtown San Mateo for under $2500. Check craigslist, I saw plenty. Most renovated for about $2100.

[gray horse]

An acceptable salary for a single in the Bay Area is $120K. It is very tough to make it on less. You may want to look into roommate situations.

[sinay]

Originally Posted by gray horse

An acceptable salary for a single in the Bay Area is $120K. It is very tough to make it on less. You may want to look into roommate situations.

That's my salary, $6k/month is my net after taxes... or do you mean $120k net?

[sinay]

Originally Posted by twins4lynn

There are a few out there. I just did a quick search on Craigslist and found two apartments w/hardwood floor, washer/dryer, and in a good area.

In Burlingame, hardwood floors throughout, washer/dryer (but not specified if in unit), $2000 - https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/apa/4411388921.html

In Foster City, hardwood floors throughout, washer/dryer in unit, $2390 - https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/apa/4427349769.html

Originally Posted by jade408

There are quite a few apartments around downtown San Mateo for under $2500. Check craigslist, I saw plenty. Most renovated for about $2100.

Yes, I have found a few ones that I'll be checking, thanks!

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Sticker shock strikes again.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

You'll not be alone as a middle-aged, single woman. For meeting people, look on meetup.com. Tons of groups and activities to choose from, not all young single people or married people. I'm a single woman now 58, and I recently moved from living in Santa Clara for 10 years. I knew lots of single, middle-aged women. You'll be fine.

And as you've been told by others, you will find some places closer in your price range.

I'd suggest looking for a studio, and consider giving up the washer/dryer in-unit. It will open up a lot more options, and living close to work would really be nice. I knew a woman when I lived in Santa Clara, who would pick up and drop off my laundry. I found her on Craigslist. She only works in the San Jose area, but I'm sure you could find a service on the peninsula, too. She only charged me around $1.00/pound, and she'd hang things up for me, too.

The other option is to drop off your laundry at a laundromat or cleaners that has a wash and fold service. They will also hang up your clothes if you'd prefer them hung to folded.

[sinay]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

You'll not be alone as a middle-aged, single woman. For meeting people, look on meetup.com. Tons of groups and activities to choose from, not all young single people or married people. I'm a single woman now 58, and I recently moved from living in Santa Clara for 10 years. I knew lots of single, middle-aged women. You'll be fine.

And as you've been told by others, you will find some places closer in your price range.

I'd suggest looking for a studio, and consider giving up the washer/dryer in-unit. It will open up a lot more options, and living close to work would really be nice. I knew a woman when I lived in Santa Clara, who would pick up and drop off my laundry. I found her on Craigslist. She only works in the San Jose area, but I'm sure you could find a service on the peninsula, too. She only charged me around $1.00/pound, and she'd hang things up for me, too.

The other option is to drop off your laundry at a laundromat or cleaners that has a wash and fold service. They will also hang up your clothes if you'd prefer them hung to folded.

That's great information, thanks a lot!

You are right, I could drop the W/D in-unit, I would need it maybe once a week anyway, so not really a big deal. I found some places in San Mateo around $2,000-$2,500 so I am not THAT stressed anymore (although it's still expensive!).

I will be flying there mid May to discuss details of the relocation and visit some communities, hope I can find some place very close to work.