Job offer in San Rafael, but want to live in SF.. (San Francisco: real estate, apartments)

[Lima_beans]

Dont know much about SF but have done a little research on this forum.

I currently live in Chicago, where I do not own a car and simply am able to bike everywhere and take public transit.

I have a job offer for a job in San Rafael. Id love to get to California and enjoy an entire year of good weather.. It looks like San Rafael is kind of suburban, so I think I'd rather live in Sf which is more urban and I can walk around easily. Its important to me to be able to walk from where I live to farmer's markets, grocery stores, restaurants, parks, etc.

The commute from SF->San Rafael looks like I can take a ferry + bike which is slow, or I would have to buy a car and drive it. Any other options? What would you guys reccomend?

Is this crazy, should I be living someplace closer to work?

[sonarrat]

I don't see why you're so surprised that a long and unusual commute would take a long time by public transit. There is an alternate, though - the Golden Gate Transit 70 and 80 buses do the reverse commute and they have stops in San Rafael. That takes about an hour, which would be much faster than riding your bike from the Larkspur ferry station.

[snappy]

I would think that the reverse commute either drive or bus would not be a huge deal.

I think you need a car in the bay area though to take advantage of all the surrounding areas. There is so much to see and do in a 3-4 hour radius drive of SF that a car is a must. Or maybe there is those rent a car just when you need it companies. I forget what they are called but you own a share in the company and use a car just when needed. Anyway I would think a car is a must for weekend excursions.

[RandalR]

Originally Posted by Lima_beans

Its important to me to be able to walk from where I live to farmer's markets, grocery stores, restaurants, parks, etc.

You can do all of that in San Rafael, or in Corte Madera/Larkspur which are a short bus ride away. No need to live in San Francisco at all. It's easier to visit SF from Marin than vice versa.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by snappy

I would think that the reverse commute either drive or bus would not be a huge deal.

I think you need a car in the bay area though to take advantage of all the surrounding areas. There is so much to see and do in a 3-4 hour radius drive of SF that a car is a must. Or maybe there is those rent a car just when you need it companies. I forget what they are called but you own a share in the company and use a car just when needed. Anyway I would think a car is a must for weekend excursions.

They're called ZipCar & City CarShare...
Zipcar - Car sharing, cars by the hour or day
City CarShare - San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, CA USA

And I agree with your response, both about needing a car and commuting from San Rafael. That reverse commute is rather easy, especially if you live on the west side of San Francisco... Richmond, Sunset, Presidio, etc. I'd estimate a 20-30 minute drive each way, unless there's an accident or heavy fog. Only downside is the toll cost, since the Golden Gate is now $7 to cross.

[mdwstrnkid]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Only downside is the toll cost, since the Golden Gate is now $7 to cross.

It's actually $5 to cross ($4 with FasTrak).

*

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by mdwstrnkid

It's actually $5 to cross ($4 with FasTrak).

They were planning to raise it, but apparently that toll hike is postponed for now (whew): Golden Gate Bridge Toll Hike Delayed - News Story - KNTV | San Francisco
Won't be long, though!

[Lima_beans]

Awesome information, thanks guys! Looks like I have half a dozen cities to explore to get a good feel for where I would like to live, so Id better plan a few days down there. =p And thats not even counting SF neighborhoods.

Originally Posted by RandalR

It's easier to visit SF from Marin than vice versa.

Can anyone explain what this means?

[RandalR]

Originally Posted by Lima_beans

Can anyone explain what this means?

Bus and ferry service is skewed toward serving commuters - in other words, lots of service into SF in the morning, lots back out in the evening. Far less service each way during the day.

I think San Rafael will offer you everything you are looking for in a place to live, and save you the headache of a commute. Central and southern Marin County towns are not "suburbia" in the sense of the rest of the country - more like a collection of bohemian villages with better shopping centers.

[Lima_beans]

Actually Found this site Walk Score - Helping homebuyers, renters, and real estate agents find houses and apartments in great neighborhoods. which has been real helpful when looking at apartments.. And yeah, it does look like you are right RandalR.