Moving to Novato/San Rafael area (San Francisco, Petaluma: apartment complex, rentals, crimes)

[NovMas]

Hi,

I am considering a job offer in Novato and was wondering what is a comfortable salary for that region. I am single and will be renting, does anyone know what a decent apartment rents for ? and is it better to live in those regions or live in SF city and commute ?

Thanks !

[marinphil]

As others will probably recommend, craigslist is the best place to get an idea of the rental market. In San Rafael, decent one bedrooms generally go for around $1200-$1500. SF is certainly more expensive, with one bedrooms probably starting around $1700-$2,000 rising rapidly for the more desirable areas. good luck

[ecvMatt]

If you look around, you can find studios in San Rafael and Novato for about $1000, but they are becoming more rare. The best deals are found with share rentals, if you don't mind room mates. Another option would be too look north, Petaluma or Rohnert Park/Cotati but you will have to deal with a lot more traffic.

[kel_be]

Salary will depend on what you do. But more than likely, it will be more than you currently make. The cost of living is higher in Marin & San Francisco counties.

As for renting, that depends on your budget. SF will be the most expensive, with Marin & Sonoma counties not too far behind. For example, my husband & I rent a 850 sq ft, 2bd/1ba apartment in Novato for $1250 a month. As marinphil said, Craigslist.org is your best tool!

As for the traffic, ecvMatt should have mentioned the traffic in Marin. I live in Novato & work in San Rafael, 10 miles away. I need to leave my house by 7a at the latest to make it to work by 8a. And if there is an accident on the 101, leave asap! An accident can turn a 10 mile drive into a 2-3 hour commute. Not to mention, there is construction on the 101 in San Rafael that has been making the drive hell recently.

Good Luck!

[ecvMatt]

Originally Posted by kel_be

Salary will depend on what you do. But more than likely, it will be more than you currently make. The cost of living is higher in Marin & San Francisco counties.

As for renting, that depends on your budget. SF will be the most expensive, with Marin & Sonoma counties not too far behind. For example, my husband & I rent a 850 sq ft, 2bd/1ba apartment in Novato for $1250 a month. As marinphil said, Craigslist.org is your best tool!

As for the traffic, ecvMatt should have mentioned the traffic in Marin. I live in Novato & work in San Rafael, 10 miles away. I need to leave my house by 7a at the latest to make it to work by 8a. And if there is an accident on the 101, leave asap! An accident can turn a 10 mile drive into a 2-3 hour commute. Not to mention, there is construction on the 101 in San Rafael that has been making the drive hell recently.

Good Luck!

I live in Marinwood and it takes me 30 minutes to get to Larkspur, it's bad.

[G Grasshopper]

If I were working in Novato, it would be most desirable to live in Novato or in San Rafael. If you live in San Rafael, you are driving opposite traffic, which is much better, and you would still be fairly close. There is no way I would live in SF - too far, too many chances for "incidents" on the freeway, and more expensive. Living in Sonoma county would condemn you to those long freeway times in stopped traffic.

[NovMas]

Thanks for your responses. After looking around at the rent prices and the traffic issues, I will most likely rent in Novato / San rafael . Are there any areas I need to watch out for ? Any unsafe/ghetto places that i should avoid ? I will be looking to rent a 1 bedroom and am willing to spend around 1200-1400 if the apartment is safe and comfortable. Can anyone recommend any apartment buildings based on experience ? ... I will also be looking at the in-law apartments etc, but prefer apartment buildings.

[kel_be]

In Novato I'd stay away from Leafwood Drive. It's not a great area, I refer to it as a ghetto-like area. I live in a nice apartment complex in Novato that rents a 1bd/1ba for $1000 or so (Otavon Apartments). It's quite & small, and the manager is strict on rules. But I think that is what makes it so nice. The disturbing tentants don't stay!
In San Rafael I'd stay away from the Canal Area. Lots of prostitution, gangs, and crime. I work in that area and have seen prostitutes waking the streets (and I work the first shift), co-workers have had cars stolen/broken into, and been involved in Police mandated lock down due to crimes in the neighborhood.

[ecvMatt]

When I was looking for a place last year, there were a lot of cottages as well, mostly n San Anselmo, Fairfax and West Marin. It makes it a bit more of a drive in the morning, but if you like a it of seclusion, it is worth it.

A quick look at craigslist shows a few promising places:
(these aren't just San Rafael and Novato, but close, and opposite the commute traffic)

Studio type apartment for rent

good looking ground level 1bedroom in Corte Madera

Sunny Peaceful Duplex Above Town

1 bedroom near COM

I like this one!! +smlr/rm Cascade Dr. surrounded by Rdwds

Walnut Grove Apartments and Townhomes

Get cozy in Novato!

$500 off move in by Nov 1st !!!

Small, but a neat place Gerstle Park cottage...............

Gerstle Park Unit surrounded by Manicured Gardens

I'd be checking all of these were I looking for a place right now.

[ecvMatt]

This is the place I want to live, if I had money saved right now, I'd be calling.

Redwood Retreat

I like this one too

Cottage in San Geronimo Valley/Forest Knolls

You'll be out in the sticks at these places, but, IMHO, it's worth it!