24 year old healthcare professional - Job in Napa, CA (Santa Rosa: apartment, rentals)

[motorcyclejournal]

Finally made a profile on here after lurking and searching for topics. Was in the midst of interviewing and landed a job in Napa, CA. Salary for my first year will be approximately 45-50k before taxes.

Im not married and looking for a place without a torturous commute to Napa. Any particular areas of Napa I should look into? I've heard about Vallejo being cheaper but the commute being horrible. Also looked into Sonoma. I think Petaluma might be to much of a commute? I really dislike traffic as I was raised in the middle of nowhere Central California. I do have a best friend living in SF so ill be in the city a few weekends a month. I also have a motorcycle that I enjoy riding. I also like to hike, mountainbike and take photos. I've fantasized about a small 1bedroom house in the middle of a vineyard but probably will have to settle for an apartment.

Any area around $1,000? Am i being unrealistic here?

Thanks for your help guys

[Ruth4Truth]

Have you looked at Craigslist? You may luck into a studio at that price point, but rooms in a shared place are going for close to that. Studios generally start at $1100. If you can manage that or $1200, you'll have a few options. I think you're smart to avoid a commute, but you'll have to be a little flexible re: the rent budget. And bear in mind that the more affordable rentals will have competition; have your credit rating and proof of employment/offer ready, and watch the listings daily.

[PixelatedTherapy]

Vallejo isn't a bad option, just make sure you're in the right neighborhood.

[motorcyclejournal]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Have you looked at Craigslist? You may luck into a studio at that price point, but rooms in a shared place are going for close to that. Studios generally start at $1100. If you can manage that or $1200, you'll have a few options. I think you're smart to avoid a commute, but you'll have to be a little flexible re: the rent budget. And bear in mind that the more affordable rentals will have competition; have your credit rating and proof of employment/offer ready, and watch the listings daily.

Managed to score an apartment for 1200 in Napa watching listings daily. So that cuts commute time immensely. Its nice just driving 10-15 min to work. Napa is kinda sleepy (which I knew). Any places you guys know that attract a younger crowd (around 21-28)?

[BurnInTheMil]

Originally Posted by motorcyclejournal

Managed to score an apartment for 1200 in Napa watching listings daily. So that cuts commute time immensely. Its nice just driving 10-15 min to work. Napa is kinda sleepy (which I knew). Any places you guys know that attract a younger crowd (around 21-28)?

Petaluma has some good restaurants (pubs), bars and breweries.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by motorcyclejournal

Managed to score an apartment for 1200 in Napa watching listings daily. So that cuts commute time immensely. Its nice just driving 10-15 min to work. Napa is kinda sleepy (which I knew). Any places you guys know that attract a younger crowd (around 21-28)?

Congratulations, OP! Thanks for the update. Glad it worked out. I hope you enjoy your new life.

[raider21]

Originally Posted by Greg10556

Petaluma has some good restaurants (pubs), bars and breweries.

as does Santa Rosa , it has Russian River Brewery, 'nuff said.

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by motorcyclejournal

Managed to score an apartment for 1200 in Napa watching listings daily. So that cuts commute time immensely. Its nice just driving 10-15 min to work. Napa is kinda sleepy (which I knew). Any places you guys know that attract a younger crowd (around 21-28)?

There's an old rule - live as close as you can to work. You're doing that.