Moving next week - Recommend a neighborhood/area? (San Diego, Oakland: sublets, hotel)

[BSerra23]

I'm moving from San Diego next week, and will be looking for a room/sublet. I have a hotel room for a bit while I'm searching.

I'm still trying to pick a spot to live for a few months and was wondering if you guys could help me out. I'd like to spend around $700/month since I'm only looking for a room.

I'm working with a tech recruiter who deals primarily in the Financial District so I would most likely be commuting into the city. Not really interested in living in the city proper or south of the city. Mostly considering east/north bay.

I interviewed for a position in Novato last month and really liked the idea of living in the North Bay, but IT Support jobs seem less available up there. From what I've heard, commuting into SF from north bay doesn't seem like a great idea. I'm 24 and would like to be able to meet some friends in my neighborhood. I have a car so it would be nice if parking was available somewhere.

I've been considering Berkeley as an option. How is the commute into SF in the morning? I know theres public transportation but I need to figure if it makes sense financially since I'm already paying for a car. There seems to be plenty of sublets/rooms available in my price range.

I'd really like to have some parks, trails, and green space as close as possible. I've also got to have some good golf courses in proximity...closer the better

Would Berkeley work for what I described? Any other neighborhoods you guys can recommend? Always appreciate the input. Thanks!

[beb0p]

It depends on where in the North Bay - from Sausalito to SF, the drive is not bad, rarely bumper to bumper and usually free flowing traffic. From Mill Valley northward, the traffic is horrible.

Yes, Berkeley should work, as does any place that is near BART. I suggest you also look into Temescal and Rockridge in Oakland, they're save nabes and they have BART.

[mayorhaggar]

$700 is a pretty low budget even for living with roommates but with perserverance you'll probably find roommates in Oakland or Berkeley for that price. If you get a decent IT job you should be able to afford more and maybe get a studio or 1br in the East Bay. $700 is what someone making about $32,000 a year can afford. A halfway decent IT job should get you at least 40k, but you'll have to see what you get offered.