Commute to Peninsula: Noe Valley or Potrero Hill? (San Francisco, Sunnyvale: transplants, rental)

[SFnewcomer]

hi There,

I am a newcomer to SF area, and am moving from Manhattan. I'm giving up my 7 minute commute (by foot!) for the long haul from San Francisco to Stanford U. I'm trying to decide between places in Potrero Hill and Noe Valley. It seems like Noe Valley has more life to it, but Potrero has the better commute scenario. Can other NY transplants comment on the adjustment to SF life? I would love to have social outlets within walking distance, but then again I find the drive daunting.

Any thought appreciated!

SC

[humboldtrat]

Why live in San Francisco - about 35 miles from Stanford U.? You can live closer to Stanford and spend a lot less time commuting.

As for commuting from San Francisco to Stanford (Palo Alto), you can use Caltrain caltrain.com - home and from the Caltrain station take the Marguerite shuttle busses (free !) anywhere on the Stanford Campus.

[sonarrat]

Exactly what I was going to say. Potrero Hill is near the 22nd Street Caltrain station, which is a baby bullet stop, and you can take a free shuttle from Palo Alto.

[NorthernCalifornia]

Potrero Hill will be a better move for you.

[GRap]

Hey SFNewcomer.

I'm moving to the bay area in July and facing the same situation/decision. I'm comtemplating living in the city and commuting to Stanford. I spoke with some people who do this already, and I was advised that taking the 280 is fastest, and that Noe Valley is likely the best spot for commuting by car(which I will likely do).

Is Potrero Hill ideal only for public transit? Or would it be a good choice for car commuting as well?

[cardinal2007]

Potrero Hill is a lot further back on the 280 (the Caltrain station is right under the highway), from what I've heard it will take a while, either way I don't know if you would want to drive, when I was a student there another student told me that it would cost at least $6 each way with gas costs, and $1/day on parking alone (I think the C permit is now up to $195/year for the academic year permit). Personally I would just live in Rains or EV, if I were attending gradschool. If you're an employee that's totally different.

The 280 is much faster than the 101, but in the afternoon if you leave during rush hour it might take a while to get to the 280. BTW if you get there after 10am it might take you 15 minutes to walk from your car to the buildings if you use a C permit (the A permit is only $502.50/year for the academic year). If you work for Stanford full time you can get a Go Pass for free, and so commute by Caltrain for free.

According to Google Maps both would take about 42-45 minutes by car, but I think it is expecting you to go fast on the 280 in the city during rush hour, which I don't know if that's possible, you are leaving the city though. One thing I hear is that you should avoid living in an area where you would take Octavia to the 101 driving.

Okay so info:

Parking Permits:
P&TS - Parking Information
Go Pass:
P&TS - Alternative Transportation: GO Pass/EcoPass
Caltrain Schedule:
Caltrain timetable effective April 2, 2007
Driving Noe Valley to Stanford via 280:
from:37.745811,-122.435074 to:I-280 S @37.494668, -122.306501 to:Via Ortega @37.427999, -122.176265 - Google Maps
Driving Potrero Hill to Stanford via 280:
from:37.760266,-122.396321 to:I-280 S @37.494668, -122.306501 to:Via Ortega @37.427999, -122.176265 - Google Maps

[skyao]

I live in Noe and used and commuted to Sunnyvale for 5 years. Driving wise Noe and Potrero are about the same distance to Palo Alto and beyond; both have good access to 101 and 280 and the difference in driving time in minimal.

Summary of my opinions below:

Noe Valley

* Much Better Bart and Muni Access (Potrero does not have good access to either of these)
* More Yuppie, better for couples with kids. "Safer"
* Larger area and flatter. Better for walking around. Close to the Mission.
* Not as hip, but not as gritty as Potrero.
* More rental stock to choose from than Potrero but can be more expensive.

Potrero Hill

* Better access to Caltrain
* Hipper, cooler, and younger than Noe. Cooler vibe.
* Hillier than noe. Smaller shopping strip, but has better places to eat than Noe.
* Grittier. Abuts one of the worst projects in the City (however the project is far on the other side of the hill)
* Probably a little cheaper, but also probably has less rental stock than Noe.

Ping me if you have any direct questions.

[SFnewcomer]

Thanks everybody for these great responses! I've decided to go with a month to month rental in potrero, as i get used to the idea of driving and deciding where to go.

thanks again!
S