Moving to SF and request advice - UPDATE

[Formerly Known as Hawaiibiker]

Vindingo,  Thanks for the offer.  I am hoping my apartment hunting trip after my friend's wedding will be fruitful.  I will definitely keep it in mind but please don't hold off lisitng the room on my account 

Msincredible,  Yes, everyone has been very helpful and I really appreciate it.  Thanks for letting me know about the commute ... that's good to know that it shouldn't be too bad and it'll finally be nice to "share lanes" LEGALLY!    Once settled, I am hoping to meet everyone during your normal get-together .... I guess that's called zeitgeist?

[ghostrider]

the commute into and out of the city should be fine. the only problem will be the maze. the joining of all 6 freeways leads to mongo traffic all day and nutts traffic at commute times. it's easy on a bike or in a train but in a car you may need something to stop you from going crazy  .

[sugarcrook]

Are you set on living in SF?

The Creek has a pretty thriving night life as it's the current spot people move to when they get tired of paying crazy rent in SF.

It also has a thriving Cougar community, and has several well documented Cougar hunting grounds.

I think The City is cool but for me its not worth trying to commute in and out of every day. Not that my 104mile commute a day is much better, but at least there is no traffic.

What are these places you speak of?  I could use some weekend entertainment. 

[desmoquattro]

Desmoquattro, thanks for the input. I heard the Mission has a great eclectic feel but can also be a little sketchy depending on where you go.  Is this what you find?  Any specific part to avoid and/or target?  I will also be in Nappa Valley on the 16th to attend a friend's wedding so am hoping to get a few days in to check out some neighborhoods.  Anyone want to meet up and share some input and a drink ... first pitcher is on me 

The Mission is awesome, and I don't think it's sketchy at all. First appearances are a bit deceiving: you might see some dirty streets and a few homeless people, but it's not a dangerous place. San Francisco is a very safe city, by American standards...and it's far safer than, say, traveling up the western shore of Oahu as a haoule 

I've lived in The Mission for almost 5 years, in SF proper for 15, and have been coming here for years (my dad and grandfather were both cops here). Some folks sketch on The Mission, but I don't worry too much about it. Your neighborhood is as good or as bad as you allow it to be: the folks on my block stay vigilant, quickly paint over graffiti, and stay on top of the police to patrol our street and put a stop to anything untoward going on.

Come on out on the 16th, and hang out with us. You'll be in town at the same time as bigian, so we'll all be getting together during that time. BikerGoddess and I will be back after the 18th, so PM me for my cell and we can give you a personal tour of the neighborhood.

Oh, and if you're working in Walnut Creek the reverse commute will be awesome...whether by BART of by bike

[CharliesAngel]

Hey there,

Welcome!  Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth...sounds like we've both lived in a few geographic locations.

I moved here from being based in HK for 4 years.  Ended up living in the Richmond on 4th Avenue (between Geary & Clement Streets) b/c of a GF who lived in the upstairs unit of the Victorian - it was a godsend actually as the dot.com boom was still going on.  I'm of Shanghainese origin but was born and raised in Germany and have lived in Europe 1/2 my life.  That's why the Richmond was/is so cool - restaurants of all Asian cuisines, grocery stores (both Asian and Western), safe neighbourhood, proximity to Golden Gate Park and the GGB (for beautiful riding in Marin!), and 280 (if you are heading South).  I'm assuming your parents are Asian - they would love being able to walk/hang around the Richmond.  My Dad has visited me a couple of times and he loves being able to walk down the street to buy his Chinese newspaper.  Here's my only complaint about the bar scene here... it's limited to either very casual pubs or very shee-shee/upscale bars/restaurants near Laurel Heights.  But it's not really a complaint b/c I can get to any other evening spot around town within 5 - 20 minutes.   Probably a good thing since I might be out even more than I am now!    Oh, I guess another negative is that this area is not very close to BART.

I've also lived in the Castro (Diamond @ 18th) with the ex-BF.  I loved this neighbourhood and felt extremely safe!  It also happens to be the mecca of the LGBT community which makes it very busy during the Castro Street Fair, Pride, Halloween, etc.  There are a lot of great restaurants, tons of gyms, stores of all kinds and very sunny (great microclimate in this 'hood).   Some people might prefer Noe Valley but to be honest, I'm not a baby stroller kinda gal so I'm fine being a visitor in that neighbourhood.  Both of these neighbourhoods have the Muni trains: The Castro Station serves trains F, K, L, M that connect with BART and from Noe Valley, there's J that connects to BART) = quite convenient!

Currently, I'm back in the Richmond/Presidio Heights/Laurel Village neighbourhood.  I enjoy living here but the micro-climate can be a bit foggy but it seems with global warming that there has been less of it these past 2 years...

But Desmostro is right, there are so many awesome neighbourhoods in SF - make it an adventure - you can always change hoods and experience something else before you head towards the Burbs

[Formerly Known as Hawaiibiker]

Sorry for the delayed response everyone ... just got back from Miami  [moto]

Ghostrider,  that's why I don't plan on having a car ... I love the fact that I can finally legally split lanes .... have been doing it but always looking out for the 

Desmoquattro, the haoule comment was too funny ... actually, when I first moved there, I was told that if I broke down out west, even though I could pass as a local ... just don't say anything and people would help me out ... otherwise, my haoule accent would give me away!  I assume you also spent some time in paradise?

 I'd love to see you guys on the 16th but I'll be up in Nappa sharing libations and giving my condolence ... oops, I mean celebrating my friend's wedding      I will definitely send you a pm to see if we can hook-up after the 18th .. thanks for the generous offer 

CharliesAngel,  wow, sure looks like you've had an interesting life.  I really enjoyed the spicy duck tongue I had in Shanghai and the dumplings from HK.  Did you attend those crazy rave parties in the streets of Germany?  I distinctly remember trying to ride home afterwards, covered in foam, head to toe ... hehehe.  I'd love to hear more about your travels.

The Richmond sounds like a great neighborhood.  Yes, you are correct about my parents also being Asian. I am sure they would love being able to stroll the neighborhoods.  Unfortunately, not being close to the BART makes me want to look at the Mission and SOMA more closely.  I've heard the same about the Castro being a good area with a lot of things going on.  I am far from being a homo-phobe but having a HI license plate means I have a rainbow prominently placed on my motorcycle.  I don't want to give the wrong impression or else I may be single for all the wrong reasons... hehehe       Actually, I was told that if I can find a place between the Castro and the Mission, that might be a good compromise and would give me access to each neighborhood's great character

If living in SF is anything like the great experience I've had with MOB, then I can't wait to get out there!  Thanks everyone and look forward to meeting everyone. 

[duckwrench13]

If you're considering your folks being "at home" while being in the neighborhood, Ingleside has all the same benefits of the Richmond, but with the Balboa Park BART station just down the street, and the K Muni line running right through the middle of it all. Super easy access to the entire city, and easy commuting to the East Bay.

[Desmostro]

The godsend of your search - Google Streetview is now on my street. I just realize my POS car has now been immortalized out in front. The bikes, are in the garage...



It's here. I haven't seen the inside, but my place is next door. Its the top floor, new clean, and massive for San Francisco. 3 bedroom 2.5 bath Loft, + 3000Sq feet, garage, huge balcony, view of south bay. 5 min.s to BART. 2Min's to train going south. 1 minute to 280 or 101. One of the sunniest places in the city. Super quiet. Not an elegant neighborhood. But Potrero Hill can be fun, just not as social as North Beach or the mission. House. Lots of houses. Not sure what the price is. prolly $3300 to 3400. a month.

There may be smaller ones coming up very soon. I saw someone else moving out this weekend down the street.
If anyone wants the landloards number PM me.

Everyone,

Thank you so much for the replies
...
Desmostro, that loft you were talking about ... is it near a Bart station and do you know what the rent is? (you can pm me if you don't want to discuss in public).
...

[Desmostro]

Sorry for the delayed response everyone ... just got back from Miami  [moto]  YOU POOR THING...

Ghostrider,  ... Actually, I was told that if I can find a place between the Castro and the Mission, that might be a good compromise and would give me access to each neighborhood's great character

+ 1 great spot. Very green, cool, central, nice vibe etc, not too foggy. Near Tartine!
www.tartinebakery.com/ best way to put on 30 pounds in a week. 

[duckwrench13]

Near Tartine! www.tartinebakery.com/ best way to put on 30 pounds in a week. 

Agreed! +30    ....pounds!

[cloudseeker]

It's not San Francisco, but if you're commuting to Walnut Creek I'd throw out Berkeley as an option.   You can actually take twisty roads all the way there - especially if you live in North Berkeley.  Cool places to live would be the top of Solano Ave, or near Monterey Market (northbrae, westbrae area).  Great weather, walking distance to a few awesome restaurants (Fonda, Rivoli, Ajanta), good pizza (Gioia was in the "bay area top 6" for pizza in the Chronicle), the great french bakery La Farine, a good cafe, the local green grocer, a butcher, etc...and above the top of Solano this is the view (from Indian Rock, where you can boulder if you are into climbing):


To get to walnut creek, you go up to Grizzly Peak, then take Wildcat Canyon to Bear Creek, and then (I think) Reliez Valley road.  Back roads all the way - you would be pretty stoked about the commute.

Also pretty good mountain biking.

I'm going to try to make my next job out in WC so I can have that commute.

[sh]

Depending on your personality you might like Berkeley or Oakland which would shorten your commute slightly and avoid the toll.

SF is all about weather.  Parts of the city are foggy and cold.  Other parts are sunny and warm.  I've lived in the Mission next to Dolores Park and now in Bernal Heights.  Both neighborhoods are very similar and have great weather.  Bernal is more windy in the evening, but a lot less crowded.

The Mission looks rough but it's actually filled with young hipsters with money.  Every person in the city seems to descend on Valencia around dinner time (which is a pain imho).  Having taquerias everywhere is awesome and I can't imagine living somewhere without them.

You should visit the city and explore the neighborhoods a little.  Try to visit a neighborhood in the morning, afternoon, and evening to get an accurate picture of what the weather is like.  There are places in the city that are beautiful for a few hours and then windy, cold, and foggy the rest of the time. 

The closer you get to ocean beach the more foggy and spread out everything is.

Each area of the city seems to have a different crowd too.  In the Marina or Pac Heights you'll find the pristine 999 Fila crowd, where the Mission is all about monster darks.

Use Google's street view maps to explore before you get here.

Try to find a place that has garage parking.  A garage can cost $200 a month depending on the area.  Bikes on the street is not the safest bet.

[MendoDave]

My two favorite areas are In North beach and the Haight if you like the night life these are also great Nightlife spots. The Haight also has the N-Judah and a bunch of activity going on during the day as well. From North beach you can just take a bus a few blocks to down town and catch BART. It all depends on what you want. You really need to spend about a week or more looking around the city.

[desmoquattro]

...where the Mission is all about monster darks.

...or extremely loud blue S4R monsters 


Oh, and watch out for potholes...here's a map:

[sh]

Oh, and watch out for potholes...here's a map:

lmao.  I reported you to the moderator for pure awesomeness.