65K for 25 yr old single guy in SF (San Jose, Oakland: apartments, rentals)

[DabOnEm]

How doable?

Would be working in Downtown Oakland and have a max I'd pay for rent is 1500 per month but could maybe go higher.

[Ruth4Truth]

I'm going to assume that by "SF" you mean not the city, itself, but the region. Because $1500 isn't doable in the city.

Look on Craigslist for studios in Albany, El Cerrito, and Oakland. There are a couple of posters here who can fine-tune the Oakland recommendation for you, as far as neighborhoods go.

You'll see a lot of ads for rooms (in a shared place) at your price on C-list, but there are also small studio rentals in people's garden cottages or basement apartments at that price.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/6162060045.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/6152942242.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/6159041123.html <--- Good location, Oakland

[likealady]

You will need roommates for sure to make it work in both SF and Oakland. I recommend living close to work whenever possible, but you could do SOMA for an easy (reverse) commute to DT Oakland.

[Oakformonday]

Originally Posted by likealady

You will need roommates for sure to make it work in both SF and Oakland. I recommend living close to work whenever possible, but you could do SOMA for an easy (reverse) commute to DT Oakland.

I'm not sure the OP has the budget for SOMA. Those places go for $5,000+. He could get rent a room in Oakland for $1,200 or so. I imagine there will be loads of competition for low end studios in Oakland, yes.

[bmw335xi]

If you get a shared apartment, you'll be fine

[DabOnEm]

When I said SF, I meant the entire area but I'd prefer the city.

I can get a comfortable 1 bedroom or nice sized studio in LA for that price but looks like roommates only if I want to stay in a decent part of Oakland or SF.

Only thing holding me back from accepting the transfer. I have a couple weeks to decide and in the meantime will look into the areas mentioned. How is San Jose? Bart was just extended there right? The hq of my job is located two blocks from a BART station im DT Oakland so the commute wouldn't be too terribld if its all train. I just worry about outside of work if I'm that far down deep in suburbia.

[likealady]

Do not live in San Jose if your job is in DT Oakland. Honestly, if you don't want roommates I'd reconsider taking the job. People are not kidding when they say the Bay Area is expensive.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Oakformonday

I'm not sure the OP has the budget for SOMA. Those places go for $5,000+. He could get rent a room in Oakland for $1,200 or so. I imagine there will be loads of competition for low end studios in Oakland, yes.

This is true. Just because there are listings in your price range, OP, doesn't mean you'll be able to nail one. You have to watch the listings like a hawk, meaning a few times daily, and call on them as soon as they're posted, to try to be the first person to call. Have credit rating, copy of job offer, and rental references in hand to email or fax.

A better approach might be to rent a room in a shared place, and after learning the lay of the land, so to speak, conduct your studio search from there. Or you might get lucky, and get in with a group household scene that works for you, and may decide to stick with it awhile.

What are the prospects for future raises and promotions with this job offer? That could have a bearing on your decision, too.

[jade408]

At your budget - roommates are the only option. If that isn't acceptable to you, skip the Bay Area until your income is 2x!

[HappyinCali]

People are too negative. Here https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/...labilityMode=0

11 units, all within your price range in the sunset. They are not ideal, but they are in the city.

And here are 63 units, also within your price range with only Concord/Martinez, Emeryville, Lake Merritt, Temescal, Piedmont and Montclair selected. There are options. If you live in a place like Walnut Creek, it will absolutely be doable

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/...labilityMode=0

If you are willing to get a roommate, then it is 100% doable. Mt brother in law’s salary is $50k and he has lived in a nice house with 4 roomates for the past 3 years. His room is completely separate and not noise. He loves his roommates. You can get a pretty good room for <$1,200 in multiple area in the cities. Are they going to be North Beach, Mission, SOMA? No. But you can make it work in the Richmond/Sunset, Glen Park etc.

A separate issue is that if you are going to work in downtown Oakland, living in the areas that are not close to Bart, such as Richmond/Sunset makes little sense as your commute will take a long time. I would look more into East bay along the BART line – Walnut Creek, Concord, Dublin etc. they are suburbs, but they are safe and fine.

In SF/Penninsula, I would look at Glen Park, Daly City, San Bruno, Colma, Milbrae