Where is a good place to live near San Francisco, CA?

Question

I am planning on moving to SF in March. I dont know anyone out there so i am not sure of where to live that is pretty reasonable pricewise and not too far from the city.

Answer 1

Are you going to be traveling by car or public transportation? Some areas have a limited amount of parking because of their locations. While others have too much.

If we're dealing with rental prices, Oakland, Emeryville and Berkeley are pretty reasonable, but you want to find a quite neighborhood. Oakland's Lake Merritt area is excellent if you're single and only need a Studio or 1 bedroom. You will also find that the area located on the boarder line of West Oakland and Emeryville is an open and coming neighborhood and condos are plenty (if that's what you are looking for).

Berkeley is really laid back and if you look good there are alot of inexpensive in-law apartments. You know those basement apartments or small apartment located towards the back of a single home. Plus Berkeley also has all of those sweet smelling flowers that you can smell year round in most of the neighborhoods (Honeysuckle I think).

If you want to be on the same side of the bay as SF, then Daly City is a good option as well. Although that city seems to have an awful lot of fog, so sunshine is rare during certain seasons but the sunset is awesome.

All 4 of these cities have plenty of transportation and lots to do, so get on Craigs list and check out some apartments to see which ones you like the best.

Welcome to the Bay Area. I've lived here all my life and still love it.

Ps Something else you need to know about Oakland is it's not as bad as the two people who posted before me make it out to be. All cities have a lot of crime, Oakland just happens to be on the radar because of publicity. You have to pick and choose your neighborhood. And when you do so, you ask yourself what are the major things you need for living there. I live in that West Oakalnd/Emeryville neighborhood I was telling you about. I have never encountered any problems here and safety is a major concern for me since I am a single parent and hearing impaired. The Lake area is also very safe as well. The neighborhoods they are refering to are located in North Oakland out near the coliseum and I don't even go that way late night. As long as you drive through your neighborhood of choice during the day and again at night, you will see what it's really like. Then make your mind up that way. Don't fall for the media hype. My neighborhood has a good racial mix. We have a large amount of Whites, Lations, Asians Yemens and of course Blacks. The majority of people here are in the working class. The Lake area is boardered by Chinatown so there is a large amount of Asians and Whites there. I used to live over there before I had my daughter and loved it. So pick and choose carefully and again enjoy your stay here. If you have any questions go ahead and email me.

Answer 2

Daly City is a nice area that is a lot cheaper than San Francisco!

If you are planning to rent...check out Lakewood Apartments At Lake Merced. My GF's mom lives there, the area is beautiful. You are directly across from a lake that has a jogging path that goes all the way around (3 miles). It's less than a mile from Fort Funston, which is a great park area with many jogging trails and ocean outlooks. On top of all that, you are about a mile from the start of Ocean Beach and the San Francisco Zoo. Stonestown Mall is also only about 2 miles away. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the heart of downtown, so commuting isn't bad. One bedroom apartments I think go around for $1100.

Don't go to Oakland, many areas are actually pretty nice, but the traffic crossing the Bay Bridge is HORRIBLE, plus the $3.00 toll adds up fast!

Answer 3

Resonable prices are unheard of in the bay area but I will give you some cities that are cheaper than San Francisco. Hayward is nice it's about 30 min south of San Francisco, Concord, Vallejo, Union City,San Mateo, Daly City,Hillsdale, Richmond Parkway (not richmond well richmond parkway is in richmond but only research the two apartment complexes on Richmond Parkway anything else is not good) But richmond parkway is borderline Pinole which is another good area. I live in Hercules which is right after pinole it's a great little suburb 30 min from the city they have really cute condos that maybe you can check out. I been here all my life born and raised in San Francisco I still commute to the city everyday cause I am a city girl but I love to live outside the city it's really peaceful very different from San Francisco.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Oakland really isn't as bad as many people seem to think, although there certainly are neighborhoods to avoid.

I live in the Grand Lake/Piedmont area, and it's very safe & quiet here.

Your best bet would be to check out craigslist - you can find some very detailed descriptions that will answer a lot of your questions.

P.S. On second thought, WillLyn up there ^ really qualifies for "best answer" (I think that sweet-smelling flower is jasmine, though)

Answer 6

Oakland is good prices, but area can be VERY rough. San Mateo, Burlingame, Millbrae are good areas, about 20 min away from SF. Not too expensive. Stay out of South San Fransisco, and San fransisco itself. They are expensive areas. Marin is nice, but pricy. Look on rent.com for places. Read reviews before you sign your lease. They make the places look nice in the pics but the area could be VERY dangerous. Stay away from East Palo Alto (I had a kid shot 20 feet from my door 2 years ago).

Answer 7

There really isn't anywhere that I would consider affordable. I moved out of the Bay Area just to be able to buy a home and not go broke in the process. I grew up in San Jose, about and hour and 15 minutes south of SF. One thing I can say for sure.....DO NOT move to Oakland. Very dirty, lots of crime, and while it is less expensive to live there, you will have to watch your back quite often. I sent you an email if you have any questions, just let me know.

Answer 8

I would have to say Alameda.
Oakland is kinda on the dirty side, San Jose is to far away and it would be a nightmare commute. North Bay is pricey, SF is extremely pricey.
Alameda is kinda in the middle, it is a nice location it is kinda in between SF and Oakland. It is an Island and the people are really nice.

Answer 9

The only city I resided in while living in the Bay Area was Oakland but that was '90-'94. I've been there annually since and hasn't changed much. If you don't mind gritty urban living it's alright. Good weather, central location, diverse population, and nature nearby. Of course you might get shot. Curiously, my only encounter was a pie thrown on my windshield.

Answer 10

Nowhere here is reasonable pricewise. Santa Rosa maybe. Residents of the area don't tend to visit SF all that much.

Alameda is very nice, lots of police, very little crime, direct ferries to SF. I live there :D