Recommended Neighborhood in San Francisco? (Marina: rent, place to live, gym)

[anonymouspsy]

I'm looking for a great area of San Francisco to stay in, and I have a lot of choices with the shuttle routes presented to me...

I created [this map on Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?...7D&usp=sharing) with pins of each location.

**I know I'm asking a lot** but since I am unfamiliar with SF I would appreciate the communities feedback on choosing the right place to live.

* I'm 23 years old
* My only preferences are a "cheap" grocery and gym nearby

[Here's an imgur link if the map is broken on mobile](https://imgur.com/QITkCKs)

[davdaven]

There is nothing cheap or "cheap" in SF. What kind of setting interests you the most? If you're more of a hipster type, then the Mission (16th & Dolores, Cesar Chavez & Valencia/Florida) would be good. If you are more of an upper crust sort of person, then try the Marina (Lombard & Scott). If you're gay, then 18th & Castro is the obvious choice. Some areas are generally lacking in character (Van Ness & Lombard, anything along Divisadero although it's getting better, etc.) and probably aren't worth your time.

I'm 36, so I would probably opt for Noe Valley (24th & Church) if I had enough dough. 23-year-old me would have opted for 16th & Dolores or Cesar Chavez & Valencia.

Keep in mind that cross-town traffic is slow, so assuming you are taking a bus to Silicon Valley, a commute from Lombard & Scott will be longer than a commute from Cesar Chavez & Valencia.

[Ruth4Truth]

OP, just off the top of my head, when you mention a "cheap" grocery, I think of anywhere near Chinatown. Take a look at the nabes surrounding it, and see if you can find a rent that would work for you. Could be, that there's a cheaper gym in that area, too.