A student in need of affordable housing in SF. is it possible? (Bayview: apartments)

[Miss Maile]

Hey. I am planning on transferring schools to the City College of SF in the spring, but since they don't have dorms I will need to find a [cheap] apartment. Most of the ones I could find are all $1000+ a month, is there anywhere that I can live for under $1000 but still be in a good, safe neighborhood? And also where would be a good neighborhood to live in? I wanted to live closer to Fisherman's Wharf.

[rah]

With a budget under $1000 you won't have much choice, and most likely won't be able to live anywhere near Fisherman's wharf (Unless you're cool with renting a room for $1000 in a shared house/apartment). otherwise, there are usually plenty of studio/in-law apartments for under $1000, and you may even see a 1 bedroom or two as well. Neighborhoods likely to have those prices, with some simplified descriptions:

-Ingleside (the neighborhood CCSF is located in...a little gritty and sketchy in parts, but pretty safe overall)
-the Excelsior/Mission Terrace (a little gritty and sketchy in parts too. Borders Ingleside, and has more crime)
-Oceanview (very sketchy in parts, so be careful. Is often called "Ingleside" though it's just to the south of the "real" Ingleside. Also known as "Lakeview")
-the Sunset (safest, quietest option of the bunch)
-the Tenderloin (overpriced for what you get, but still cheap by SF standards....not a very nice place to be if you can't handle crime or filth)
-Bayview/Hunters Point (same as the Tenderloin, but worse...though there are a few nice, quiet and safe pockets in there too)
-Visitacion Valley (same as Bayview/Hunters Point and the Tenderloin)
-the Mission (these days the only places in your price range will probably be in the high crime parts)

Basically you will have to accept the fact that you will not live anywhere near any tourist attractions, unless you live near Golden Gate Park in the Sunset, or in the Tenderloin, which is right in the middle of downtown. You will also have to to accept the fact that aside from the Sunset, all of those hoods are relatively gritty, and some of them have the highest crime rates in the city (Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, the Tenderloin, the Mission). You can find places in your price range in other neighborhoods, but just with quite a bit less consistency.

All of those neighborhoods have good to great amenities too, with the exception of Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, and to a lesser extent, Oceanview. Once again, if you're cool with renting a room in a shared house or apartment, then you can live pretty much anywhere you want in the city.

[xGrendelx]

I've been looking on craigslist for places $1000 and under, and the closest thing to Fisherman's Wharf I can find is Lower Nob Hill/TenderNob, and there isn't usually a very big choice and not often does the price include utilities or anything.

[Jonotastic]

Commuting on public transportation from fishermans, lower PAC heights, marina etc will be a hassle. If you have a car a parking spot in these areas go for 200 to 400 per month. Why don't u rent a room instead of looking for a studio or 1 bed apt? There are lots of places where ur roomies will all be college students.