NYC girl moving to SF (Oakland, Daly City: apartments, rent, transfer to)

[EmpressNYC]

Hola peoples,

I'm 23 year old girl from NY. I currently live in Brooklyn, NY. I recently got hired with an airline at SFO. I will be staying with family in Oakland when I arrive, but I plan on getting my own apt within a few wks. Right now I'm paying $850 for a studio (shoebox lol) apt in Bedstuy... I'm looking for an apt in that price range in the SFO area. As you all know Bedstuy is "transitional" lol, so I don't really mind areas like that in the SF bay area. I just need something decent clean, affordable, near the BART train, and within walking distance to shops and stores (I don't have a car yet.). Plz help me out! Thx!

[NorCal Dude]

Check out berkeley. I always recommend it over SF for people with a budget. 850 for a studio is doable in Berkeley. Or for a roommate situation. And it has bart

[EmpressNYC]

Thx! I never thought about that, I'm looking at craigslist, and I see a few decent deals. I never really been to berkely, I just drove through it. It seems like a cool place.

[Jonotastic]

Don't live in Berkeley if your work is at SFO, you won't find it worth it, trust me. Unless it's a job paying $100,000+ you don't want to commute from Berkeley to SFO, it's a bad enough commute to downtown SF, but SFO, that's rough.

Check Craigslist, would you mind renting a room from an apt, with your budget if you want to be near BART and walking distance to stores, restaurants, laundromats etc you will need to pay more than $850 unless you rent out a room.

[NorCal Dude]

Don't tell the OP how to think or what she will or will not find worth it, she is a grown woman and can decide for herself. Berkeley to SFO is under an hour. For 850 she will at least be able to find a studio with in walking/biking distance from bart(with a good chance of on site parking). Youre not going to find that in SF at all, what so ever. And the best part about berkeley is that it is close enough to sf that it is completely accessible, with out having to deal with the hassle of actually living IN SF.

[Jonotastic]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dude

Don't tell the OP how to think or what she will or will not find worth it, she is a grown woman and can decide for herself.

Ummm...I believe the OP is seeking opinions. I think that's why people come to these forums and ask questions...correct me if I'm wrong? lol

Moderator cut: Inappropriate language

OP: Visit before deciding, do the commute from Berkeley via BART during rush hours and you can decide whether it's worth it or not and whether you feel "free" enough to enjoy variety without owning a car in Berkeley.

NorCal: I'm stating my honest opinion, so don't think I'm holding a gun to her head saying, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO BERKELEY! If I was her, I'd want everyone's honest opinion, if I said I was thinking about moving to Hunters Point, I would want someone to tell me, DON'T! lol

Calm down buddy

[zachb7]

If you do think about Berkeley, I'd definitely factor in the cost of commuting. I just moved here from Chicago (and NYC before that) and almost lived in Berkeley.. decided to start in the city though.

Anyway.. BART would be $7.40/day round trip from north berkeley to downtown, and if you have to transfer to the Muni to get where you're going, that's another $55/mo for unlimited rides (or $2/ride). If you live in the city, that same $55 will get you unlimited rides on Muni *and* BART (only within the city limits). That would easily save you $7.40/day in commuting, so $150 a month or so if you head into the city at least 5 days a week. Other costs being equal.. you're up to $1000/mo in SF rent now for the same overall budget.

[AA702]

Why not live closer to SFO?? Daly City? South City? I'm sure she can find something around that area to fit her needs? Just a thought

[EmpressNYC]

Thx everyone! I will also check out Daly City, etc. Do you know of any specific apt complexes of hand in those areas?

[jman650]

Originally Posted by EmpressNYC

Thx everyone! I will also check out Daly City, etc. Do you know of any specific apt complexes of hand in those areas?

If you look at Daly City, whatever you do DO NOT choose the Westlake Village Apartments!!! They look really inviting at first, and the neighborhood there is really conveniently located and has plenty there to make you content, but renting from there is an absolute nightmare. The neighborhood is fine, but avoid those apartments at all costs. I'd elaborate but I'd end up spending a half hour typing all the reasons why you shouldn't go there so I'll just leave it at that.

Daly City is great though if you're on a budget and can deal with the fog. You would definitely want a car if you live there though, although if you live in the east side you could get by just fine without one.

As for apartments, I'd check around the Gellert Blvd/Serramonte or St. Francis areas, and even Westlake aside from the major complex I mentioned earlier. Most of what you'll find west of the 280 freeway is preferable to what you'd find on the east side. You might want to avoid apartments in Broadmoor too.