Moving to SF from the East Cost (NJ) (San Diego, San Francisco: for rent, how much)

[FireEmblem]

I’m currently a college student in Jersey City, NJ and I’m planning on moving to San Francisco with my girlfriend. She already lives and goes to school there, but we’re not sure exactly how much we’d need to be able to make it there living on our own for a few years till we graduate.


We’re planning on moving together and a studio is fine with us. We’re also planning on having some money saved up before the move (5–6k) to help facilitate the move as much as possible. We’re just not sure if this would even be possible, or if we should start looking at other cities.


Could we do this on $2200—$2400 a month income between both of us?



The other city we were looking at was San Diego. If you guys have any information or experience that would be helpful for us we would be extremely happy to hear it. Thank you in advance!

[bellalunatic]

2200-2400 a month total between the 2 of you, or is that just for rent?

[FireEmblem]

Originally Posted by bellalunatic

2200-2400 a month total between the 2 of you, or is that just for rent?

Oh, total income. We could do a bit more most likely, but we're trying to be realistic, since finishing school is important for both of us and we don't want that to suffer.

[nutleynut]

Can you stop by my place in oregon and bring me some cold cuts and tasty kake? I miss em. Maybe stop by Garruto's and get some sausages.

Ok in SF that amount will not allow you to live well at all. I'm guessing what you describe as wanting will cost $1500+ just for rent. That 5-6K expenses will mostly go for first and last months rent/deposit. On the good side rent boards are strong out there and you have some protections.
SD will be less expensive and much much different, It is almost another country compared to SF. IT has a very cool transit system, trolley's! I loved em.
You can stay in the east bay and go to SF on bart if you want to stay in the bay area.

Mostly you'll have to increase your income to be able to afford to stay there at a decent level. I've seen good normal people live in hovels and accept crap service just to be in the city. This lowers standards for all and a lot of landlords take advantage of it. I expect your girlfriend has seen this by now.
Plus'? It's SF man, good food, good coffee, nightlife, good transit, nice location.

Originally Posted by FireEmblem

Oh, total income. We could do a bit more most likely, but we're trying to be realistic, since finishing school is important for both of us and we don't want that to suffer.

[nutleynut]

Ok in SF that amount will not allow you to live well at all. I'm guessing what you describe as wanting will cost $1500+ just for rent. That 5-6K expenses will mostly go for first and last months rent/deposit. On the good side rent boards are strong out there and you have some protections.
SD will be less expensive and much much different, It is almost another country compared to SF. IT has a very cool transit system, trolley's! I loved em.
You can stay in the east bay and go to SF on bart if you want to stay in the bay area.

Mostly you'll have to increase your income to be able to afford to stay there at a decent level. I've seen good normal people live in hovels and accept crap service just to be in the city. This lowers standards for all and a lot of landlords take advantage of it. I expect your girlfriend has seen this by now.
Plus'? It's SF man, good food, good coffee, nightlife, good transit, nice location.

Originally Posted by FireEmblem

Oh, total income. We could do a bit more most likely, but we're trying to be realistic, since finishing school is important for both of us and we don't want that to suffer.

Originally Posted by FireEmblem

Oh, total income. We could do a bit more most likely, but we're trying to be realistic, since finishing school is important for both of us and we don't want that to suffer.

[E14]

you could live somewhat comfortably in the east bay on that, but you would really be squeezing yourself trying to live in the city