Moving to NorCal from Atlanta-have done some research, but still need help (San Francisco: to rent)

[gdonahue]

Hi All,

My fiance and I will be relocating from Atlanta to the Bay Area in the next few months, and could use some help.

We will be looking to rent for at least a year or so (maybe longer to try out different areas of the BA).

I will be commuting into SF (Financial District) a maximum of 3 days a week, and don't mind a an hour or so on the road, BART, or both.

Our budget will be $2400/month (pretty firm)

Ok that's the easy part.

We need at least a two bedroom house, that would be friendly to a 50lb dog (her idea). A townhouse or condo would be an option if it had a decent size patio area.

If we go the house route, we need it to be fenced in.

Night life and culture honestly aren't important to us. We are suburb folks, born and raised.

Safety is a huge concern. Most places I've lived it has been pretty easy to tell which areas have crime problems. However, I'm having a hard time doing that in California, it seems one neighborhood just sort of flows into the next.

Let me know what you guys think. Apologies in advance for another "Moving to San Francisco, Where should I Live?" thread.

Greg

[mayorhaggar]

I dunno what burbs you could get a 2br house for $2400 or less in, but I'd just warn you that landlords in the Bay Area are really anti-pet. Less so in more suburban areas but it will still limit the places you can look at, especially with a medium or large dog.

[HappyinCali]

If you are fine with a Longer commute, walnut creek, moraga, and Castro valley are all good safe options to consider an they all should fit your budget. They also all have Bart access

[gdonahue]

Thanks very much for the help. Good to know about pets in East Bay. I knew that decision would bite us.

[mayorhaggar]

It will probably be doable to live with a big dawg in the burbs, I'm just sayin' that it will limit the # of places you can apply to.

[dmode]

Dublin / Pleasanton / Walnut Creek would probably work for you. Very safe suburban towns. I have a friend who has a 1-year old and they live in Dublin. He commutes to SF Financial District every day in BART.

[BayArea32]

There are new apt units going up right next to west Dublin BART station. That train will get you into the SF Fin district in 45 mins each way direct. Not sure what those places will cost, but might be an ideal solution

[Nella925]

Walnut Creek sounds like a place for you, you can possibly afford a house or condo to rent, so that may get rid of the dog issue.

[funtimessf]

I was turned down for a place once because of my cat. I thought that was so stupid, she is cleaner than I am.