Young recent college grad looking at San Francisco (Oakland, Richmond: apartment, to rent)

[movingoutwest]

I am a 23 yr old who graduated college last year from the New England area and am looking to move out west with a roommate. I have friends in San Francisco which is why I was thinking about moving here. I have a couple applications out but might move regardless if I don't have a job. I'm wondering:

1.) How hard is it to find an apartment?

2.) Do you think I'll be able to find part time work while I look full time?

3.) Any good neighborhoods for young college age population?

4.) What can I expect to pay in rent for a 2 bedroom 1 bath?

Thanks.

[mayorhaggar]

1) it can be hard and very competitive esp. if you are looking for cheaper places. Landlords hold viewings they advertise on CL and dozens if not hundreds of people show up and you have to fight to put down a deposit. Ask your friends who live in SF what it's like. It's easier outside of SF.

2) I don't know, the economy here sucks. It will probably be hard to find a landlord willing to rent to you without a job...but not having an apartment makes it hard to find a job.

3) the Mission if you like hipsters, the Marina or Nob Hill if you like a more yuppieish scene. There's not that many people in SF in their mid-20's anymore, they mostly can't afford it or something, most people in those areas are more like in their late 20's and 30's and they're pretty much the youngest areas in the city.

4) like $1900 at least and that would be in an area that's not great like the Inner Richmond. Maybe look into finding a big apartment with people that need roommates, like a 3 or 4 bedroom, and you can maybe get rooms for around $650-750 each.


If all else fails you can try living in the burbs, yes it's not as fun but SF is stupidly expensive considering the housing is crummy and it's a noisy and dirty city, and so it's not kind to people just starting out after college. Oakland is fun and you can get a 2br for more like $1200 in a nice area like the Temescal or Rockridge and you don't really need a car there.