Is san francisco affordable? (please only answer if u live in SF)?

Question

I"m going to college to be a graphics designer, just wondering if, even though the cost of living is high, having a decent job would pay the bills.

Answer 1

I have lived here since 1987 and I can tell you that if you want a decent place to live you need to bring home the big bucks.
The median income is considered 100,000 a year to live comfortable. that's if your not to keen on eating beans and hot a lot

Answer 2

Last I heard the average cost for a one bedroom in SF was $1,600 per month.... You don't have to live right in the city, you'd probably get a better deal across the bay in Oakland (gotta be careful which neighborhood, but if you stayed around downtown/chinatown you'd be safe and very close to SF by subway). The further out you go (San Leandro, Hayward) the more affordable it will be although it will still probably be higher than where ever you're coming from. If you don't mind roommates that would make things more affordable.

It's doable to live here, but yes it's a very expensive place.

Answer 3

It is hard for some to make ends meet in SF. Housing is the biggest issue but food is also expensive, transportation, cabs, the cost of keeping a car and getting insurance.

By definition, everyone here is affording it -- or else they're on welfare, sponging off friends, depleting their savings, bankrupt, homeless, etc. But most people find a way. You lower your housing and car expectations, live with roommates, learn thrift If you spend carefully you can get some amazing food for very little money.

Most college students do fine, but they do have to take out loans and/or work jobs. Graphics designers seem to make enough money to survive because demand is high from the ongoing dot com industry, advertising, marketing, product design, and the like. They don't live like kings though, and it is harder here than most places to live off of making art for the sake of art. Nearly all artists and musicians here have a day job.

People come here for the great things SF offers, and they make sacrifices to do it.

Answer 4

It very much depends on what you're willing to live with. Many college students live in San Francisco, sharing apartments or condos with several others.

You need to be aware that you will have a very small space, gas prices are extremely high in California, particularly in the Bay area, and other expenses tend to be higher than elsewhere in the country.

At the same time, it's one of the best places in the U.S to experience diverse cultures, eat at some great restaurants, etc., etc., etc.

The link below is to the city. It may help to make your decision.

(And just for the record, I have just left the bay area for south Florida, even though I have a darn good job- not because of the money, but I was ready to be warm again.)

Answer 5

I agree with everyone who suggested living across the bay & commuting to SF. It's really not that far to take the BART train from Oakland to SF (about 15-20 minutes or so) & it's much cheaper to live here. Someone mentioned studio apartments in SF running about $1,000. Here in Oakland, you can find a decent studio for about $650-800. Your best bet would be to check out Craigslist ( http://craigslist.org ) for roommates, rentals, jobs, etc. I live & work in Oakland, but have gone to SF many times. Some parts of Oakland aren't very safe, but if you check around, you can find some pretty decent places around Lake Merritt or even a little farther north in Berkeley.

Answer 6

It's not affordable, unless you make excellent money. Starting salaries for BA Degree holders is about $46,000 according to the SF Examiner. If you want to live here, and have your own place, expect to pay between $1400-$2500 for rent. I found a 375 sq ft studio in SOMA for $2200 a month, with parking running $300 a month, 4 blocks away.

Answer 7

I wondered the same thing before I moved here 9 years ago - then I realized "All these people do it, I can too" - yes it's expensive, but I'm a graphic designer too, and I make enough to live here, I don't have a car, rent's expensive my one bedroom is $1,500 a month but you can get a roommate set-up for about half that. utilities are pretty cheap as we don't have air conditioners. Everything is a bit more expensive than other places.

Answer 8

If you're flexible about what kind of living situation you're willing to tolerate, it can be. A barebones studio apartment in a crappy part of town will set you back $1000 a month, but transportation, food, clothing, etc. is about as expensive if not less so than a lot of other cities. Be prepared to marry for money...

Answer 9

I live in SF. It's affordable. Go to the Museums: MOMA and De Young!

Answer 10

Yes it's high! But if you can room with folks you'll be ok. If not just stay across the bridge in Berkeley or El Cerrito