suze

If he is going to make a successful move to San Francisco, he (and you) need to quit comparing it to what he has in Chicago. That just isn't going to happen.

Besides Berkeley you'll may also want to check Oakland.

Grassshopper

I mentioned Burlingame on this thread a few days ago. My 20something daughter just moved out of her apartment there and she loved it. Her one bedroom apt. was $1300.

rbnwdln

Wow, thanks for all the help. He just forwarded me a craiglist ad for an apartment in a Victorian that looked beautiful and not horrendously expensive but it is in Haight Ashbury! Isn't that like, drug dealer, down-and-out scarysville?

SAB

Where in the Haight? And no Haight-Ashbury is not "drug dealer, down-and-out scarysville". Haight Street itself can seem crappy with lots of young, homeless, street people hanging out, but the Haight has some very, very expensive homes (think multiple millions) and some very beautiful Victorians within its confine. Hence the question about where in the Haight?

suze

Nope, that's not correct at all. Mission District and the Haight would be two neighborhoods I'd love to live in if I could afford them.

chazza

I live 10 mins from downtown sf and pay $2050 for a two bedroom appartment
be expected to pay for 1 bedroom 1400 and up and for a two bedroom 1700-2500

trippinkpj

In the city, I'd vote for Cole Valley although I'm not 20-something.

toedtoes

If the only real consideration (other than cost) is being able to get to the airport easily, remember airporters.

There is Marin Airporter that services all of Marin County - it takes about 1-1/2 hours barring traffic issues to get from Novato to SFO on the airporter.

There is Sonoma County Airport Express that services Sonoma County to SFO or Oakland - it takes about 2-1/4 hours from Santa Rosa to SFO and 2-3/4 hours from Santa Rosa to Oakland.

There are others that service the different Bay Area regions.

MaureenB

The Victorian in the Haight might be a good idea. We were visiting family recently in S.F. and my niece took my son (both age 18) to the Haight Ashbury district one day to hang out. They like the little shops and cafes there. It's a young scene. Lots of S.F. music history there. Some burnouts from the 60s, too, but that's inevitable.
>-

SAB

trippinkpj--Cole Valley is wonderful, but it not a post-college single neighborhood. Too expensive. Lots of younger couples, however. Most of the younger, singles live closer to Haight or the panhandle. Cole Valley used to be filled with med students from UCSF, but not anymore. Many of the apartments have gone TIC or condo.

Leely

Burlingamers--I was just razzing you. It depends on the individual, of course, whether he/she would enjoy that environment. I *do* think that unless a young person is a committed suburbia-lover and/or has a family, he/she might as well start out in SF--or even Berk/Oak and--then decide "Hey, I'd rather be someplace more relaxing."

Of course if I wanted relaxing I would hightail it to Marin.

I don't think Haight is terrible. A bit grotty, but not dangerous. SF is a small, extremely gentrified city; most neighborhoods have some sort of mix--or are simply upscale. He's not going to live in Bayview or anything. Although I know artistes, etc., who have already started migrating out that way.

Leely

SAB--I saw on another post you like DaFlora. You are one of the only Fodorites I've ever seen mention it. I love the food there and the wine list is great! That gnocchi appetizer is heavenly.

trippinkpj

Interesting info SAB, about Cole Valley. I spent over a week in the area when my DH was in the hospital at UCSF.

Bostonstrangler

All of these people that are calling SF gentrified must live somewhere else. SF has one of the worst law and order records anywhere in CA and a huge amount of drug and sex tourism. You'd have to be blind not to notice the prevalence of people sleeping on the street... more than NYC, more than LA... that's what happens when you create a city around an attitude of tolerance. Not that I'm bashing it, it's wonderful, but let's be realistic bay area people.

easytraveler

As usual, someone with the name "BOSTONstrangler" knows more about San Francisco than the people who live in and around it.

easytraveler

Sorry, posted before I finished: this is nonsense.

As I've said above, I know several young people who live scattered all over San Francisco in different neighborhoods, it's a great city for young people.

MBnancy

Our sons moved to SF after college and were roommates. They love the City. After several years one decided to come back to the beach in LA, but the other stayed. He lives in the Richmond district. Has always had to have a couple roomies to aford a flat. He likes this area (has been in several in SF) because he can find a parking place for his car everyday. Many streets have parking rules where you have to move your car day after day for street sweeping. Lots of parking tickets if you forget to go move your car early on a Tuesday morning.

StuDudley

We lived in the Noe Valley when we were in our 20/30s & loved it. We're in our very late 50s now and have lived on the Burlingame/San Mateo border for the past 26 years (the area with restuarnats/cute shops that others have mentioned is a 10 min walk away).

However, we go into San Francisco for almost all of our entertainment - dinner, movies, shopping, hanging out, long walks, etc. Often when we return home after a night in the City - places like the Marina, North Beach, Union St, Mission, are very active with 20 year olds walking around and enjoying themselves in the City. As we drive up Burlingame Ave (shere the local stuff is located), things are dead on week-days, and barely alive on Saturdays. There are more places for a 20 YO in Burlingame than there were just 10 years ago - but still NOTHING like the City.

Regarding crime - most of that is confined to areas in the City that your son will probably never see. We've been here for 32 years, and never had an occasion to drive through the area in the City where most of the crime occurs. Sure - there are too many unsightful vagrants on the streets - but most of them are annoying but pretty harmless. If your son lives in Chicago, he won't have any problems with "threatening" people in San Francisco.

My wife & I moved to San Francisco from the LA area 32 years ago. We both agree that moving here was the single most positive thing we ever did in our married lives (not counting getting married to each other - and we don't have kids). Don't have your son miss the opportunity - live in SF or Berkeley/Rockridge (I much prefer SF).

Stu Dudley

dmlove

As we drive up Burlingame Ave (shere the local stuff is located), things are dead on week-days, and barely alive on Saturdays. There are more places for a 20 YO in Burlingame than there were just 10 years ago - but still NOTHING like the City

Stu and I usually agree on these things, but not on this one. While I agree that Burlingame Ave. is NOTHING like the City, I completely DISagree that it is dead on weekdays (even during the day) and barely alive on Saturdays. In fact, I regularly marvel at the vibrancy of this very decidedly suburban downtown area. Just go into Peet's or Starbuck's and you'll see what I mean. (I still think your son should live in the city, but that's because I think the suburbs aren't meant for 20-somethings).

rbnwdln

Hey, it is fun to see some of my regular Fodor's Europe people helping me out! My husband and I have made reservations to fly to SF in early January and meet him there for a long weekend of 'house' hunting. I know he would love to live in SF proper but paying over $2000 for a one bedroom is going to be too much. Also, he has a car and will need parking. We all continue to look on craigslist for ideas, although it is too early to jump on something. Thanks again for all the ideas. It is helping so much!