Commute from SF to Oakland? (London: construction, living in, eat)

[ssmaster]

I know someone who drives from rincon hill to Oakland and the morning commute is very reasonable the evening commute is rougher but doable

Public transportation And casual car pool in parts of Oakland like uptown ,rockridge and lakeshore can make for nice commute into downtown SF.

[DeanoSF]

Originally Posted by CorporateCowboy

Her question was in re: SF to Oakland; and I gave my honest, concise opinion (and reasons why), while you apparently want to personally discuss me and other posters in this thread (which is bizarre).

You don't sound happy; maybe that commute via cable cars and the ferry (in addition to walking) isn't relaxing you as much as you thought it was. This is why I state; most people, given the choice - choose the shortest and least expensive commute available to them, especially when there is such a big difference between the cost, type and size of apartments which would be available to them as well.

In fact, many people in the Bay Area like Oakland more and/or dislike SF to live (but love exploring on the weekends). For most people, however, regardless of what they seek, it comes down to compromise when you're dealing with a high COL. OP - good luck.

Again, you are wrong about this. Her question was regarding the SF-Oakland commute as it relates to her wish to temporarily live in SF. You and the other one missed that nuance in your zeal to make your points to me.

She wasn't asking for opinions on if she should live in Oakland to avoid a commute to work. She in fact, stated that she "would like to live in San Francisco" and wondered if the commute to Oakland was bearable. To anyone without an agenda, that's not an invitation to discuss the philosophies of commuting. She's asking for informed opinions of what it's like to make this commute. Many have said it is bearable, by the way, as did I.

Presumably, she's an adult and can decide for herself whether or not the time and expense of living in SF and working in Oakland is worth it, just as she came to the conclusion that she'd "like to live in SF," was weighing the commute, and was seeking insights from those who make the commute.

Neither you nor the other one have any informed position on this commute.

Also, the "you don't sound happy" jab was weak. I'd expect that from the airhead... perhaps with something about staying "warm and dry."

[CorporateCowboy]

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

Her question was regarding the SF-Oakland commute as it relates to her wish to temporarily live in SF. You and the other one missed that nuance in your zeal to make your points to me.

She wasn't asking for opinions on if she should live in Oakland to avoid a commute to work. She in fact, stated that she "would like to live in San Francisco" and wondered if the commute to Oakland was bearable.

Presumably, she's an adult and can decide for herself whether or not the time and expense of living in SF and working in Oakland is worth it, just as she came to the conclusion that she'd "like to live in SF," was weighing the commute, and was seeking insights from those who make the commute.

If you stop with the personal jabs, I could stop assuming you aren't happy. Didn't miss what OP was asking at all; I specifically spoke to 'want' vs. 'realistic compromise' when it comes to availability, cost, and desirability of apartments in SF (in order to be in/near downtown) vs. Oakland (and why it's rarely done), especially on a speech pathologist's salary (or as TashaPosh indicated, unusual commuting times/work hours which is an additional extremely valid point which I didn't even consider).

That said, of course OP is an adult, though one wouldn't know it by how much you feel the need to keep speaking for her or blasting others for their opinions. Despite what OP wants, she is going to find it nearly impossible. It's simply an unrealistic expectation.

If she wants to live in SF, my advice to her (given her field), would be to work here as well. That way, at least with the more expensive housing (it still will be extremely difficult to find an available decent apartment in a good location here), but she at least wouldn't have the expensive/time consuming commute piled on top of it. You aren't understanding; good apartments rarely become available; it's not as though one can pick and choose (and those that do stay available for a bit longer tend to be undesirable for various reasons). Even then, you're looking at top-dollar rent.

If this thread was meant as a means for you to (once again) speak to your 'relaxing' commute via cable car, walking, and the ferry - yes, we get it. What I'm saying is, it's not the 'norm' if someone doesn't have to (but many certainly have to commute from Oakland to SF).

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

She wasn't asking for opinions on if she should live in Oakland to avoid a commute to work. She in fact, stated that she "would like to live in San Francisco" and wondered if the commute to Oakland was bearable.

Actually Deano, this is what she said in her first post:

Also considering just living in Oakland and taking an Oakland contract, so feel free to sell me on Oakland.

[DeanoSF]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

Actually Deano, this is what she said in her first post:

You are right. I stand corrected. Apologies to the OP, Cowboy and the other one.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

You are right. I stand corrected. Apologies to the OP, Cowboy and the other one.

No worries, it happens to all of us

[CorporateCowboy]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

Actually Deano, this is what she said in her first post:

Yeah, and it's good she appears to have an understanding (and is open to the idea of Oakland or other possibilities). Many people have unrealistic expectations about SF in re: want vs. reality.

[splizzard]

Wow hey everyone! Didn't mean to start such a debate! Thank you all so much for the advice - I really appreciate it coming from locals who have experienced this commute/living situation.

I will be making a very decent salary, enough to easily afford living in SF, which is what I prefer at this point because I really do want a dense, urban environment. That is very important to me!

Lots of assumptions being thrown around that I'm going to be poor and/or working evenings lol. I will be working 8-4, no evenings or weekends. I have a lot to consider, and all of your information has been extremely valuable in making my decision.

[Oakformonday]

If I were you, I'd chose and SF apartment near BART (from FIDI SF to downtown Oak is about 10-15 minutes). SOMA has a lot of options for living and would be near BART. You also have the Transbay bus (leaves from base of the SalesForce tower), ferries, Lyft and Uber. Oakland has some nice brand new high rise/low rise options in downtown and uptown. You might be able to walk.Good luck in whatever you chose!

[jade408]

Originally Posted by splizzard

Wow hey everyone! Didn't mean to start such a debate! Thank you all so much for the advice - I really appreciate it coming from locals who have experienced this commute/living situation.

I will be making a very decent salary, enough to easily afford living in SF, which is what I prefer at this point because I really do want a dense, urban environment. That is very important to me!

Lots of assumptions being thrown around that I'm going to be poor and/or working evenings lol. I will be working 8-4, no evenings or weekends. I have a lot to consider, and all of your information has been extremely valuable in making my decision.

I am biased, as I live in Oakland.

I'd say that Oakland has fewer areas with nightlife, and Oakland's downtown can feel a bit disconnected, but there is a lot of stuff to do food and bar wise. But it fails in terms oof being an actual 7 day a week neighborhood.

I'd recommend living in the denser areas near downtown: Grand Lake, Adams Point, Piedmont Ave, Temescal. These are fairly dense areas with their own commercial districts, that are close to downtown. That way you can get your basics needs covered, and still be close to the nightlife. These places also have their own restaurants and bars nearby.

I personally live over near Piedmont Ave/Adams Point which gives me a good best of both worlds scenario. I live a short walk from Piedmont Ave, a little over a mile from Uptown (with a direct bus option that runs till 11pm). If I can't take transit home, Uber is like $8. And if I want to got to SF - it is around a 20 minute drive to downtown (or Uber ride) - not so different than many parts of SF. I also don't have as many of the quality of life issues. While visible homelessness is on the upswing everywhere in the Bay Area - save tents right near the freeway, there isn't much to deal with.

In SF you will be stepping over/around people sleeping in doorways, on sidewalks, and probably human waste on the sidewalk in most places. It has gotten so terrible - it is a big deal breaker for me.