Moving to SF with partner, looking for recommendations on apts in the city... (Santa Rosa: apartments)

[newsf-er]

Thanks for your help!

Here are our specifications:

1. dog (>50 lbs)
2. max rent is ~ 2800 (this would be >50% of our combined monthly income)
3. OK with studio or 1 bdr
4. Will need to be close the SF VA (ideally biking or public transport)
5. Also need to be close to getting to the golden gate bridge as my partner will be commuting to Santa Rosa a few days of the week (we have one car)
6. One day of the week, I will need to get to San Bruno one day of the week - I might be able to use the car

Lifestyle wise, we would like to be in the city but don't need to be in the heart of things (mainly because of all of these requirements!)...At this point, we're thinking about Inner Richmond area...Other suggestions or thoughts about neighborhoods for a 1 year apartment rental...?

[TheCityTheBridge]

I think Outer Richmond is almost a no-brainer for you. It's where the VA is, it's close to the bridge, it is one of the cheapest parts of town and you have Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach to get your dog outside. The express buses can connect you to the rest of the City by transit reasonably quickly. Getting to San Bruno will be easy if you can use the car, but tougher if not.

[rca215]

Yeah Outer Richmond is almost definitely the way to go. Outer Sunset is probably the backup if you're not too far south. Inner Richmond, and even parts of "Central" Richmond, will be a challenge on your budget with a dog, especially if you have a time crunch to find a place. Not that you can't find a place in that price range. There just aren't that many places that allow a big dog. Turnover of SF apartments seems incredibly low.