Neighborhood Descriptions/Differences (San Francisco, Santa Clara, Alamo: apartments, to rent, condos)

[mf123]

How would these neighborhoods be defined and what would be there differences if they are subtle? (I may be relocating for a job and from some internet searching, these appear to be what I may be looking for, but love love some input from fellow SFers.)

Pacific Heights
Lower Pac Heights
Nob Hill
Russian Hill

[kander63]

All of these neighborhoods are quite expensive. Pacific Heights proper is mostly mansions and very expensive condos, inhabited by San Francisco "society" (a group of people who take themselves way too seriously and think that everyone else actually cares what parties they go to). Lower Pacific Heights is immediately south of Pacific Heights, is a little less expensive (I'm talking relative terms here, it is still very expensive) and has more apartments and condos than single family houses. Nob Hill and Russian Hill are both very dense, lots of high rises, and are a little closer to downtown than Pacific Heights. They are also both very expensive.

Did I mention that all of these neighborhoods are very, very expensive? Also, very difficult to park in. They are nice places to live if you can afford it.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by mf123

How would these neighborhoods be defined and what would be there differences if they are subtle? (I may be relocating for a job and from some internet searching, these appear to be what I may be looking for, but love love some input from fellow SFers.)

Pacific Heights
Lower Pac Heights
Nob Hill
Russian Hill

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Those hoods have shops with $1000 (and on up) jewelry items for dogs!

[kander63]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Those hoods have shops with $1000 (and on up) jewelry items for dogs!

LOL! I have no trouble believing this, actually.

[Jonotastic]

Originally Posted by mf123

How would these neighborhoods be defined and what would be there differences if they are subtle? (I may be relocating for a job and from some internet searching, these appear to be what I may be looking for, but love love some input from fellow SFers.)

Pacific Heights
Lower Pac Heights
Nob Hill
Russian Hill

Pacific Heights - Think of Mrs. Doubtfire, very nice HOMES, that are on the down slope overlooking the Palace of Fine Arts, Crissy Field, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge. 99% is upscale.

Lower Pacific Heights - On the opposite side of the hill of Pacific Heights, more commercial, stores, restaurants, bars and apt buildings rather than houses. A lot cheaper than Pacific Heights and the area is mixed between upscale and mid-level.

Nob Hill - One of the most if not the most upscale area in the traditional downtown area. Consists of mostly apt buildings, very close to the heart of the city in the middle of all the action, hotels, night clubs, stores, restaurants. You can walk to Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach, Financial District, Tenderloin.

Russian Hill - It's another upscale and mid-level mix that consists of mostly apt buildings. There is a lot of charm to this area, it's where Lombard Street is located. The views vary, but most are amazing. There's a lot of restaurants and shops as well. This area has more of a residential feel than Nob Hill. It's also an expensive area to rent.

The cheapest out of the 4 is Lower Pacific Heights hands down, but it's for a reason. With that being said, all 4 are still great districts.

[mdwstrnkid]

Originally Posted by kander63

Did I mention that all of these neighborhoods are very, very expensive? Also, very difficult to park in.

Actually, I find it relatively easy (well, relative to other areas in the city) to find parking in Pac Heights and Lower Pac Heights because many homes and apartments have off-street parking.

[kander63]

Originally Posted by mdwstrnkid

Actually, I find it relatively easy (well, relative to other areas in the city) to find parking in Pac Heights and Lower Pac Heights because many homes and apartments have off-street parking.

Good point. I was probably thinking more of Russian Hill - I have a friend who lives there, and always dreaded having to try to park in her neighborhood. I remember once we were supposed to go to a party at her apartment, and drove around for 30 minutes looking for a space, never found one, and eventually just gave up.

[mdwstrnkid]

Originally Posted by kander63

Good point. I was probably thinking more of Russian Hill - I have a friend who lives there, and always dreaded having to try to park in her neighborhood. I remember once we were supposed to go to a party at her apartment, and drove around for 30 minutes looking for a space, never found one, and eventually just gave up.

My then-girlfriend (now wife) lived at Alamo Square so I experienced a lot of awful parking experiences. The worst one took an hour and 20 minutes. (I had a work meeting in the city the next day and wanted to stay in SF instead of driving up from my place in Santa Clara. It probably would have been better to drive back home - 45 minutes away - go to bed earlier, and drive up back in the morning.)