Where to live in San Francisco?

Question

I will be getting a job at 425 Market Street soon and need to find a place to live. I'm looking for a safe place that is within 20 minutes walking or a 20 minute bus ride. What are the neighborhoods that would work for this? Let's pretend cost isn't an issue, although of course it is. I just need general ideas for now. Thanks!

Answer 1

i work in soma and i live innsunset the most desired place to live by most here in the city.

first off i live right next to uscf. right on the n line. 9th irving is a very busy and homey area with THE BEST BAKERY IN THE CITY many home grown coffe shops (and yes a star bucks) the park is two seconds away..the deyoung (i can see from my living room window as i write this) same with the gg bridge)

also again there's the n line which gets you to 4th and powell in less than 30 mins...at most (that is if there's no ******* homeless at deboce park holding it up)

renting? well its tough call there-because it's not terribly cheap but you can easily find studios that are huge or 1 bedrooms that are nice around 12 hun. i pay 12 (for a 2 bedroom and private parking..yes i know i'm luck-but they hooked me up because i have a new born and a wife)

the area is full of famlies while at the same time filled with many dr's to be and local sfsu students. there are some nice bars one being the little shamrock which is the 2nd oldest bar in the city..and its really cool to hang out there.

innersunset as its called is considered to be the last true neigborhood here in the city that hasn't been over run by chain stores.

us locals here won't let it.

great people watching.

Answer 2

I live in San Jose and have been a frequent visitor and walker in SF, to inlcude he 425 Market St area. Since I go off on foot adventures, I get pretty familiar with the streets and neighborhoods. You are very well located as far as work is concerned, and you're also within walking distance of some very upscale condos, apartments, etc. One can't give you an actual 'street' reference or block as a best spot or neighborhood, because their are hidden treasures all along that area.

But generally speaking....if you run a Yahoo map of 425 Market Street, the wide ranging area that is the least desirable for you is what is called "south of Market". Look at the map for your address. The area below (south) of that Market street line and extending inland and away from the ocean, is the least desirable. And the farther you go down Market St in a direction opposite the ocean and Embarcadero, the more you get into Skid Row, which is oddly enough, near the city hall vicinity.

The Embarcadero was remodeled and revitalized years ago and it has many upscale living spots. There are nice living areas in the inland neighborhoods as you continue north along the Embarcadero as if walking to Fisherman's Wharf.

I know people who live in what's termed "the avenues", which is the entire area (on the map) north of Golden Gate Park. Those are normal living areas. All around North Beach has decent living conditions. These areas wil probably have you riding the bus to work.

SF has a good bus and rail system. The buses run many and often.

You're really going to have to go there and meander on foot and explore. SF is expensive to live in, but scenic and a great place to be.

Answer 3

I live about two blocks from there in Avalon Towers By the Bay -- it's a high-rise apartment building with tons of ammenities and is very safe. It's in South of Market (SoMa), which has grown much nicer in the past 1-2 years. Other than that, you might want to consider Nob Hill, which is more "cutsie" San Francisco, but a bit farther away. Depends on what you're looking for. I'd also recommend craigslist.org for your apartment search. Good luck!

Answer 4

Noe Valley, Duboce Triangle, and the Castro are nice, and about 10-15 minutes by Muni (metro). The Sunset and Richmond neighborhoods are much cheaper, but they will be longer than a 20-minute commute to work. Nob Hill and Russian Hill are more of the "classic SF neighborhood" but it is harder to find housing there it seems.

Answer 5

Check out "South Park" in the SOMA area. It is about 5 blocks south of Market. Also easy walking distance to the ball park. It is like a little oasis in the city with trees and a park right in the middle of all the apartment buildings.

Answer 6

Try the Haight Ashbury or the Inner Sunset.
Not walking distance but Muni (the municipal railroad) runs every 10 to 15 minutes.