HELP me please. Moving from Atlanta to San Francisco (San Mateo: sublets, apartment)

[mldriggs]

So I just got a new job and took the offer yesterday. I'm looking for some general advice for a guy in his late 20's for moving from the South (I live in Atlanta, but was born and raised in South Georgia). I've got a few questions:

1. When most people move out fairly quickly (I start June 24th), do they sublet for a month or 3?

All the reading that I've done makes it seem like it'll be pretty difficult to find an apartment. Plus I don't want to pull the trigger on a 1 year lease to find out I don't like the area.

2. I will be working in San Mateo (more specifically, Foster City). Everyone I've talked to says I have to live in the city. Not that I'm opposed to broadening that thought process, but I know it'll be a lot easier for me to befriend people in the city as I know no one.

I do not want to live in a suburbs though. If you know Atlanta at all, I currently live in Virginia Highlands (VaHi) and really enjoy that area, plus Little 5 Points and East Atlanta. My friends would describe me as a bit hippyish (although I think its just because I have long hair and wear Birkenstocks ).

Ideally I'd prefer to live in a spot that was near restaraunts, a place to grocery shop, and a bit of dive/sports bar scene (doesn't have to be a fancy clubbing spot). Also, it'd be nice to be near public transportation and I'm assuming the 101 for driving to work. CalTrain could be an option, however its 2 miles from my future office. Near a park is an added bonus.

My income will be 80K and I should get a bonus of 5-10K at the end of the year. I'll definitely be putting away at least 10%, more if I can.

Where should I start looking and contemplating in the City and possibly other "cool" spots that would be significantly cheaper.

3. Any information you could provide on vehicles would be great. Smog test, car registration, license, insurance etc. I have a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder that I intended to run into the grown. Right now I'm looking to have it shipped and just fly out there so I'll have a few extra days to get a sublet (recommended company?).

Thanks and ton in advance and I can't wait to be out there!

[mayorhaggar]

For San Francisco neighborhoods that would be decent for a trip south on 101, I'd check out Glen Park and Bernal Heights. If you want something more urban and younger then check out the western Mission, like around Dolores Park, but good luck finding an apartment there these days. If you can't find anything in those areas, look into the Sunset District, preferably the Inner Sunset though it might make for a crappier commute compared to being in the south central area of the Sunset District.

[California Vagabond]

If I were in your shoes, I think I'd plan on putting most of my moved-out-of-Atlanta stuff in storage, and going one of two routes:

• paying roughly $80 a night for a well-recommended motel on TripAdvisor that includes an in-room mini-fridge

or

• booking a much less expensive shared rental, perhaps in the rooms & shares section of craigslist

... while I got to know the area, and decided what neighborhood fits me best.

Most of the 'roommates wanted' ads seek a long-term commitment. As a new arrival, I think I'd be tempted to go for that more expensive motel. It depends on your budget.

As mayorhaggar notes, it's very tough to find an apartment in S.F. these days, and would be doubly hard for anyone shopping from afar.

[LeavingDetroit]

Another option for the short-term is rent through airbnb ; check it out online. You don't have to make long commitments. If you are moving out soon, now is also a good time to get a sublet from a student who will not be there over the Summer. Maybe a summer sublet in a group house.

[mldriggs]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

As an FYI, I start on June 24th. At the moment, I think I'm going to give away/sell most of my big stuff and just pack my car and have it shipped about a week beforehand. I'll probably fly out 5-6 days before I start and stay in a hotel for a few nights and ideally I'll be able to locate a sublet for a month or two while I get the lay of the land.

It seems like there is no shortage of sublets, but as everyone mentioned it seems like it'll be quite the task to find a place. It seems like everyone does the sublet fairly last minute because looking last night the majority of the sublets seems to be less than a week out.

[melsuz]

So now that you have been in SF for a month, how difficult was it to find a a place to live. Are you enjoying it... how expensive was it? My office is in San Mateo as well... would you suggest living near work frist then moving to a better neighborhood?