Yet another "Where should I live?" thread! Potential job offer in SF coming, looking for a 1 year rental home or RV (Avalon: real estate, renter)

[BilboTBagginz]

Originally Posted by likealady

An east bay rental home is a good option. Find one close to a BART line and you could transfer to the MUNI T line at Embarcadero station. That said, the commute won't be 30-45 mins and the T isn't exactly fast or frequent. Don't look into Bayview, whoever said that hasn't lived here long enough. The dogs are going to be your biggest issue as others have stated.

Thanks for your insight. Yeah, we're painfully aware of the dogs being a show stopper here. I've found places that take dogs, but they increase the price per month by varying amounts and some don't take dogs bigger than 35-50 pounds. We've looking at maybe buying something, but the plan isn't to live in the bay area past a year or so and paying the mortgage/maintenance/taxes for a house here while we move back to the midwest (while owning my primary residence and renting out a previous residence) isn't appealing.

I appreciate everyone taking the time to chime in here.

[BilboTBagginz]

UPDATE:

I accepted the offer, and I'll be moving into a house in Alameda. The dogs will come in a few months. I figure the ferry commute to SF is the best of all the options. I'll ride a bike to/from the ferry and on those days where it's bad outside, I'll use work provided credits for a ride share.

Thanks everyone! Now, on to find an ISP, research setting up utilities...etc.

[aslowdodge]

The landlords know about the dogs? Many insurance companies won't insure a landlord who rents to people with Akitas.

[BilboTBagginz]

Originally Posted by aslowdodge

The landlords know about the dogs? Many insurance companies won't insure a landlord who rents to people with Akitas.

Yes, they do.

[aslowdodge]

Originally Posted by BilboTBagginz

Yes, they do.

Then you did well to find a place.

[BilboTBagginz]

Originally Posted by aslowdodge

Then you did well to find a place.

It wasn't easy... very stressful times! We're still trying to figure out the logistics of the move, but things are falling into place.

Backup plan would be the pennisula along the Caltrain line.

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by BilboTBagginz

It wasn't easy... very stressful times! We're still trying to figure out the logistics of the move, but things are falling into place.

Backup plan would be the pennisula along the Caltrain line.

Will you drive the dogs to CA, or take them by air? Best of luck with your new job.

[BilboTBagginz]

Originally Posted by zitsky

Will you drive the dogs to CA, or take them by air? Best of luck with your new job.

Good question. We had planned to rent a big van and drive them, but one of the dogs gets car sick and that's a LONG drive with a car sick dog. Initially I was really hesitant to fly the dogs because of the horror stories and the fact that I can't imagine them being in the hold, BUT as far as stress goes it's probably... probably..a better option because you're talking a 5 hour flight vs a 3 day + trek.

So, ti answer yout question..we still need to figure it out. I may start a new thread asking for suggestions soon

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by aslowdodge

The landlords know about the dogs? Many insurance companies won't insure a landlord who rents to people with Akitas.

Many won't, but thankfully there ARE still some dog-friendly landlords out there! Mine isn't a "restricted breed" (he's a mutt), but does weigh over 50lbs... and while it hasn't always been easy in the 6 times I've moved over his 13-year life, I do always manage to find one.

Future reference for anyone else facing this issue: Parkmerced next to SFSU is big-dog friendly, as are most of the Klingbeil and Avalon apartment communities. Or you can do what I did the last two times, and find a property-owner landlord (meaning they personally own a property/ies they rent out) who happens to like dogs without prejudice. I've gotten lucky with that.

[BilboTBagginz]

Originally Posted by aslowdodge

The landlords know about the dogs? Many insurance companies won't insure a landlord who rents to people with Akitas.

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Many won't, but thankfully there ARE still some dog-friendly landlords out there! Mine isn't a "restricted breed" (he's a mutt), but does weigh over 50lbs... and while it hasn't always been easy in the 6 times I've moved over his 13-year life, I do always manage to find one.

Future reference for anyone else facing this issue: Parkmerced next to SFSU is big-dog friendly, as are most of the Klingbeil and Avalon apartment communities. Or you can do what I did the last two times, and find a property-owner landlord (meaning they personally own a property/ies they rent out) who happens to like dogs without prejudice. I've gotten lucky with that.

I found the owner's/renter's email address before hand and they seemed to care about dogs, so I had hoped I had an "in" there.