nob hill vs. lower pac heights (Fillmore, Jackson: apartments, rent, how much)

[urbanitex]

I am currently apartment-hunting in SF. After viewing 20+ apartments in the past week, I have to say that there are a ton of crappy overpriced units out there (recession be damned)-- unless I just have a skewed sense of SF rent costs. I have been looking at 1-bedrooms with a max budget of $1900 (including utilities). I finally narrowed it down to two units and would appreciate some input.


Apartment #1 @ Jackson and Leavenworth (Nob Hill)

PROS
- 1 mile from work
- Nice views of Golden Gate Bridge and Bay
- Gas stove
- On-site building manager
- Common roofdeck
- Corner unit, top floor

CONS
- Small closets
- Pretty small apartment in general/ living room will probably be cramped with dining table and bikes
- No entry-way to put bikes/ requires walking up three flights with bikes
- Small kitchen, no dishwasher


#2 @ Sutter and Octavia

PROS
- Patio with western exposure
- Large kitchen with room for dining table, freeing living room for bikes
- Large bedroom and living room
- Dishwasher


CONS
- 1.7 mile from work
- Electric stove
- Window in bedroom faces onto a fire-escape--no screens-- definitely a possibility if someone next door wants to climb in through the window.
- No on-site building manager
- Second floor: unit above... but easy to carry up bikes

Both units are going for the same rent. Basically I think it comes down to more space vs. nice views, on-site management, and slightly shorter commute. Although I'm wondering if there is a huge safety/sketch factor discrepancy between those two locations (Lower Pac Heights vs. Nob Hill)?

Also, if units are going for the same rent, I am thinking about asking for $300 off the listed price-- esp. in these times. Thoughts?

[18Montclair]

I definitely prefer Lower Pacific Heights because I think its less stuffy and more vibrant than Nob Hill.

[rah]

Sutter and Octavia is kinda Japantown/Cathedral Hill, not Lower Pacific Heights. As far as safety goes, Both locations are a few blocks north of some sketchy neighborhoods. Nob hill is above the Tenderloin, and Japantown is above the projects in the Fillmore. The Octavia apartment is a little closer to the sketchiness than the Jackson one (which is actually about on the edge of Nob Hill and Russian Hill), but I wouldn't worry, they're both nice areas.

[Jonotastic]

Nob Hill is much nicer, but it is also a lot more expensive.

[trunky]

The Nob Hill apartment sounds like it migh be a little nicer. But, I'm a big fan of lower pac heights/jtown.

[mdwstrnkid]

Another pro for the Lower Pac Heights apartment is that there are three MUNI lines (2, 3, and 4) running front of it (though you'll need to go walk down a block to Post for inbound buses).

[bellalunatic]

I'd go with Sutter and Octavia...sounds like a better deal overall.
by the way, what's the deal with the common roof deck on the Nob Hill unit?
..how much is it used? Mellow or raging party zone?
Didn't you say that the unit is on the top floor? Can you sleep through a noisy party above your head?
Just food for thought.