Any good places to live downtown? (San Francisco, Richmond: apartment, rental, hotels)

[CaliDreaming]

Hello,
I have been researching moving to San Francisco for a couple of months now. I have a pretty good idea of living expenses and rental properties, but I do not like driving much. Are there any safe, clean areas downtown that I could look at? If not and I end just outside of town, is it easy to get around without driving all the time?
Craigslist has been soooo helpful. So have all of your comments on here, so I thought I would give it a shot! Thanks so much for your input!

[18Montclair]

There are lots of very nice places to live in the heart of the city where you wouldnt need to drive sometimes for weeks on end, maybe longer. It all depends on your budget.

One major plus however, is that in The City, many areas are extremely transit oriented, not just downtown. So you can actually open yourself up to a much larger area imo.

[CaliDreaming]

Thanks.
I have been reading so much that I feel a little overwhelmed. I want to keep it under $1700/month for rent so I can still afford to eat. I work out of home, so I can just go out for a cup of coffee or a bite every now and then. I think I'm just over-thinking it. I have never even been to SF, but as soon as I sell my house I'm on my way. Crazy?
I just like the more urban feel. Any suggestions?

[libbykt]

When you say downtown, do you mean really downtown SF or just in the city proper? I lived in the city for several years before I even bought a car, in the outer Richmond district, for reasonable rent and right on a major bus line. You can get around without driving, and to be honest you're usually better off without doing so, although cab service is marginal so you need to be amenable to bus/light rail/streetcar if you want to stay within the city limits.

[CaliDreaming]

I have heard good and bad about Richmond. From what I can understand, there is an inner and an outer Richmond. I am a single 23 year old female, so safe is a priority, and I kind of live strange hours.
I really haven't seen anything that specifically says "downtown" I guess I was just thinking of a more urban part of the city that I can go to the corner and get a paper or a grocery or farmer's market...
Am I on the right track here?

[ImRandy]

Downtown for most people means the Financial District. $1,700/mo won't cut it there. Richmond (when used by itself, no "the" in front of it) usually refers to the city of Richmond on the other side of the bay. People say a lot of bad things about Richmond, some deserved, some not. The Richmond District (or The Richmond) in the northwest area of San Francisco above Golden Gate Park isn't a bad area. Mostly single family homes and smaller apartment buildings. Inner Richmond is usually considered East of Park Presidio (Hwy 1). In many areas of The Richmond you can run down to the corner to get a paper, coffee, whatever but I'm thinking it's not the same as you mean because it isn't that dense.

[CaliDreaming]

Its a funny thing. I lived in NYC and now I am in Spingfield, Mo. I have a chance to either move to San Fan or Chicago. All over the board here. I have researched both cities a lot, and have always been drawn to San Francisco, but it is so hard for me to understand the lay-out and the neighborhoods. It is a lot more expensive than Chicago, but I don't think I can hadle the cold and I am definately not a "type A" person. I just wish I could understand a good, safe, place in SF for a young professional with an open mind. Make sense?

[libbykt]

I was 23 and single when I moved there too, and I think I know what you're saying about the Richmond district. It's not a very "cool" place to live, for sure. If I had been able to afford it, I would hae lived in the marina or Nob Hill or someplace a little trendier. Its definitely safe, one of the safest neighborhoods in the city statistically, and within walking distance to pretty much everything you would need. From my apartment, I was able to walk to Baker Beach, Golden Gate Park, grocery store, dry cleaner, sushi, Chinese, Indian, Italian, and Japanese restaurants, Irish bars, churches, diners, coffee shops, a small movie theater, a small YMCA, etc.

[gizmo980]

What about SoMa, Mission Bay, Noe Valley, or Potrero Hill? These areas can get expensive, but if you don't mind a small place, $1700 should be do-able... they're also close to public transit, so you could get downtown in no time! Another neighborhood I really like near downtown is Lower Haight, but some people would call it "shady" or too urban - I like that, but I'm kinda weird.

[CaliDreaming]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply! I think I have made my mind up on San Francisco. It is so much more expensive than I am used to, but I think it will be worth it.
Now I have to get realistic and start thinking moving companies and house selling.
Any hotels near the areas you have suggested?