East bay recommended neighborhoods? (Oakland, Hayward: apartments, rental market, landlords)

[gejufan]

Finally getting ready for the big move to the west coast.


I am coming in about a week and half to look for an apartment a maximum of an hour commute each way into SF where I will be working.


I am considering Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley and potentially Daly City.
budget: max 1500 for 1bd (minimum 700sqf), or 3000 for 2/3 bd (with a roommate)


Any other cities you would recommend to check with a maximum hour commute? (preferably with easy access to some night life for a single 30 female)
(SF is not an option due to budget and having 5 cats- and no I am not gonna give any of them away to find an apartment)

Which areas in the cities above would you recommend looking into?


Sincerely,
Maya.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

If it was me (and I grew up in the east bay area), I'd look at Alameda.

[04kL4nD]

Originally Posted by gejufan

Finally getting ready for the big move to the west coast.


I am coming in about a week and half to look for an apartment a maximum of an hour commute each way into SF where I will be working.


I am considering Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley and potentially Daly City.
budget: max 1500 for 1bd (minimum 700sqf), or 3000 for 2/3 bd (with a roommate)


Any other cities you would recommend to check with a maximum hour commute? (preferably with easy access to some night life for a single 30 female)
(SF is not an option due to budget and having 5 cats- and no I am not gonna give any of them away to find an apartment)

Which areas in the cities above would you recommend looking into?


Sincerely,
Maya.

For one, you're not going to find a 1BR for $1500 in any of those places. Try upping your budget a good $500-$750 and you might find something. With that said, I can't see any landlords wanting to rent to someone with FIVE cats. The Bay Area rental market is not kind to pet owners, let alone ones with five different animals.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

For one, you're not going to find a 1BR for $1500 in any of those places. Try upping your budget a good $500-$750 and you might find something. With that said, I can't see any landlords wanting to rent to someone with FIVE cats. The Bay Area rental market is not kind to pet owners, let alone ones with five different animals.

5 cats? The OP changed the original post. Smells like a beast that lives under a bridge now, no?

[beb0p]

Originally Posted by gejufan

Any other cities you would recommend to check with a maximum hour commute? (preferably with easy access to some night life for a single 30 female)
(SF is not an option due to budget and having 5 cats- and no I am not gonna give any of them away to find an apartment)

With 5 cats, you can't be picky.

I'd suggest you apply to every where within 90 mins of commute and take the first one that's willing to rent to you. That means in addition to what you stated, you also try Richmond, Alameda, Castro Valley, Hayward, El Cerrito, San Pablo, San Pablo, Vallejo, etc.
.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

For one, you're not going to find a 1BR for $1500 in any of those places. Try upping your budget a good $500-$750 and you might find something. With that said, I can't see any landlords wanting to rent to someone with FIVE cats. The Bay Area rental market is not kind to pet owners, let alone ones with five different animals.

100% agree. Many places tack on an extra $50-100 for each pet and generally max at 2. Also pet friendly places are more expensive.

[clongirl]

Why would you post more of the exact same? Posters have already addressed your previous posts and how the 5 cats WILL be a MAJOR problem (I'm not even sure it's legal in CA to have that many). Sounds like your budget is a bit low for a place of your own--, maybe a small studio, but I certainly can't fathom any responsible potential roommates accepting all 5 of your animals without consequence.

[sav858]

Maybe you should try to find some local cat lovers forum and see if anyone knows of places to rent with your unique requirements.

[gejufan]

Thanks to all who have responded so far.

a couple of you answered my questions, the others have chosen to once again focus on the one information that will not change. I know it is hard to find a place with pets - I knew that long before I posted my first post here a few months ago. However I am confident that just because it is hard it does not spell impossible. Besides there are other pieces of information that will not make the cats an issue, however they are private affairs.

So now, let's get back to answering the two questions I asked:
1) recommended neighborhoods (meaning doesn't have to be the best, but safe enough- I can fight back if needs be) in the cities I listed - including Alameda now (thanks "NoMoreSnowForMe") - that have either 1bed for 1500 for 2/3 for 3K.

2) Other cities you would recommend to check with a maximum one hour commute each way? (My apologies for not being specific on that).

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

If it was me (and I grew up in the east bay area), I'd look at Alameda.

Thank you! I forgot about that location. my friend parents actually live there.

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

For one, you're not going to find a 1BR for $1500 in any of those places. Try upping your budget a good $500-$750 and you might find something. With that said, I can't see any landlords wanting to rent to someone with FIVE cats. The Bay Area rental market is not kind to pet owners, let alone ones with five different animals.

Hence why I am also looking into 2/3 bd at 3K and will be willing to have a roommate.

Originally Posted by beb0p

With 5 cats, you can't be picky.

I'd suggest you apply to every where within 90 mins of commute and take the first one that's willing to rent to you. That means in addition to what you stated, you also try Richmond, Alameda, Castro Valley, Hayward, El Cerrito, San Pablo, San Pablo, Vallejo, etc.
.

Hi thanks, Richmond is not an option I already check the commute is close to an hour and half each way.
i'll check the other cities.

Originally Posted by clongirl

Why would you post more of the exact same? Posters have already addressed your previous posts and how the 5 cats WILL be a MAJOR problem (I'm not even sure it's legal in CA to have that many). Sounds like your budget is a bit low for a place of your own--, maybe a small studio, but I certainly can't fathom any responsible potential roommates accepting all 5 of your animals without consequence.

Because, you guys never seem to focus on answering my questions and constantly focus and lecture me on the cats - despite asking each time that you will not do so as I am already aware of it being hard to rent with 5 cats, no new info there. Therefore I am forced to ask again, and again, in the hopes you will finally provide answers to my specific questions.

Now back to our topic: That's why I wrote either a 1bd for 1500 or a 2/3bd for 3k (with a roommate splitting the cost).
If you have information to the questions I asked I would truly appreciate it.

Originally Posted by sav858

Maybe you should try to find some local cat lovers forum and see if anyone knows of places to rent with your unique requirements.

Thanks Sav, yes I am asking in cat related groups too.



Sincerely,
gejufan

[04kL4nD]

Originally Posted by gejufan

Hence why I am also looking into 2/3 bd at 3K and will be willing to have a roommate.

3BR/2BA apartments aren't all that common. You'll most likely find a 3/1 or a 2/2 or a 2/1. Welcome to the Bay Area.