What are my housing options on $40,000 a year? (San Francisco, Oakland: extended stay, apartment)

[tag08]

So I have been thinking about moving to the Bay Area but I'm not sure if this is possible on $40,000 a year as a single female. Any comments or, more importantly, suggestions?

[sonarrat]

Hi Tag

That's about what I made last year. I have a one-bedroom apartment in the airport flightpath which rents for $1150 a month. By far, most of the rentals you will see in your price range will be very tiny or in a sketchy neighborhood, but it IS possible to find places within that budget that aren't complete hell holes, even now in 2008. The best option I can give to you is to stay at an Extended Stay America at first (there's one in Belmont), because you do not want to be forced to take the first place you see and you'll want to be able to see all of your options, not just in San Francisco.

[aslowdodge]

or you could try renting a room at a nicer house in a good neighborhood.

[Fata Morgana]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

The best option I can give to you is to stay at an Extended Stay America at first (there's one in Belmont), because you do not want to be forced to take the first place you see and you'll want to be able to see all of your options, not just in San Francisco.

I couldn't agree more. That is what happened to us last year relocating to the Bay Area. We were forced into taking the first place we found/saw and were unable to see all options due to desperately needing an apt asap. We lived to regret it.

[tag08]

That's not a bad idea.. Thanks!

[HolyMooooo]

Try downtown in the city of Richmond or Oakland West or Oakland International Blvd and 100th+ area. You should be able to find some affordable rentals there.

[Slackajawea]

40k a year is definitely going to restrict your choices. What part of the Bay Area are you moving to? The East Bay is the most affordable part and you might be able to get something cheap and relatively safe in south Alameda County (Hayward, Union City and Fremont) or in East Contra Costa County (Concord area). Stay away from Richmond completely. There are good parts of Oakland, but unfortunately they're out of your budget and the affordable parts aren't safe for a single woman, so I'd stay out of there too. Keep in mind while you're making your decision that it's not just the price of housing that makes California an expensive place to live. Insurance costs more. Gas costs more. Food costs more. Utilities cost more. I'm not saying this to frighten you off, but just to give you a better idea of how far your money will go in the Bay Area.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by HolyMooooo

Try downtown in the city of Richmond or Oakland West or Oakland International Blvd and 100th+ area. You should be able to find some affordable rentals there.

...which will probably scare you half to death

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by HolyMooooo

Try downtown in the city of Richmond or Oakland West or Oakland International Blvd and 100th+ area. You should be able to find some affordable rentals there.

Great Advice

[HolyMooooo]

Stay at a Motel 6 for $30 a night. Free breakfast, phone, utilities, internet, and housekeeping...can't beat that!