$1500 is the magic number! (San Jose, San Francisco: apartments, rentals, credit report)

[greasycheeseburgers]

After looking online it seems $1500 is the magic number for a decent place - not in the Tenderloin, hopefully 500 sq ft, maybe/maybe not a dishwasher, and possibly parking for an additional $200-$300.

Under $1500, it's 200-400 sq ft, in the Tenderloin or "Lower Nob" which seems to be code for the Tenderloin, no dishwasher, and street parking.

In addition it's one and a half months rent as security, plus copies of your credit report, last 2 paychecks, offer letters, 4 times verifiable funds of rent, drivers license, your birth certificate, your moms birth certificate, a reference from your babysitter, a sample of your cooking, a dna sample, and a lock of hair.

Where do people who cannot afford $1500 live? Where do they go?

[Joe_Ryder]

Originally Posted by greasycheeseburgers

Where do people who cannot afford $1500 live? Where do they go?

They commute.

[greasycheeseburgers]

From where? The board makes Oakland sound not awesome?

[dohmixer]

Originally Posted by greasycheeseburgers

From where? The board makes Oakland sound not awesome?

Actually they commute a lot further than Oakland to SF. The San Jose area is around 50 miles 1 way. For lower rent you may need to look around Stockton, Tracy, Modesto, Turlock all considered normal commutes to the bay area. Also if you’re going to be working in the city you may want to consider BART to shorten your drive from the outlying areas.

[sonarrat]

Take a look at how many roommate wanted listings there are on Craigslist. That should give you a hint.

[jrb724]

You can find livable 1 bedrooms and studios in the east bay for $1000-$1200 and still live along the BART line. Those who can't afford SF rents usually have roommates or commute far out. I wouldn't recommend living super far out like Stockon, Tracy, etc - but many do it. Check craigslist for roommates and rentals.

[CiNYC]

Originally Posted by greasycheeseburgers

Under $1500, it's 200-400 sq ft, in the Tenderloin or "Lower Nob" which seems to be code for the Tenderloin, no dishwasher, and street parking.

lower nob hill is not the loin. nor is it nob hill. it has it's own vibe which is, imo, getting better all the time. granted, some listings may try to say lower nob when it actually is in the tenderloin, but if it's north of geary, it's not the loin.

I don't know about the rental market where you're coming from, but dishwashers and dedicated parking are not the norm here. ditch the car, get a scrub brush and enjoy.

[blofeld9999]

How much under $1500 are we talking about? $1200-ish and you can probably find a decent studio in Pleasanton / Dublin or Hayward that's close to BART. Or Sunnyvale on the peninsula side and take CalTrain.

Much less than that, and you're better of getting a roommate rather than dealing with a ridiculous commute.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by blofeld9999

How much under $1500 are we talking about? $1200-ish and you can probably find a decent studio in Pleasanton / Dublin or Hayward that's close to BART. Or Sunnyvale on the peninsula side and take CalTrain.

Much less than that, and you're better of getting a roommate rather than dealing with a ridiculous commute.

You don't need to go that far out to find a good place to live..(and Pleasanton/Dublin) are really icky, imo.

Look into Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek..the BART line is right there..25 minutes away from the City on BART..driving would be more time during rush hour, but definitely doable.

You will get the parking space, won't need a roommate, and you will definitely get something much larger than 500 sq ft. (maybe even a swimming pool and dishwasher). It's certainly not San Francisco, but has all that you're looking for. There's even a bit of a "night life" and some good restaurants/shopping etc if you're not in the mood for going into the City.

Forget about the City.. you won't find your criteria (unless you don't mind the roommate thing, and don't mind running out at midnight to move your car over street cleaning a couple days a week ((that's after you luck out with a parking spot)).

[Beat02]

Originally Posted by blofeld9999

How much under $1500 are we talking about? $1200-ish and you can probably find a decent studio in Pleasanton / Dublin or Hayward that's close to BART. Or Sunnyvale on the peninsula side and take CalTrain.

Much less than that, and you're better of getting a roommate rather than dealing with a ridiculous commute.

+1

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