1

That is a very broad question.

Are you asking about where to live in the city of San Francisco, or where to live outside of the city for commuting purposes? Or both?

Have you looked at rentals in the city? Do you know its geography?

It would be helpful if you came back with more specific information about what you want, and where. I do suggest that you familiarize yourself with the area, including the possible locations for commuting into the city.

2

OH...by the way, if you do land one of the jobs, the company you will work for will be able to help you with your questions about residence possiblilities, better than we can.

3

"I have 2 interviews with companies next week, both based in downtown San Francisco and I'm trying to figure out where I would live if I got one of them. Make a point to stay longer or over a weekend before/after the interview. This way you can get a better airfare rate but also gives you time to look around and visit different apartments and see the neighborhood around those apartments. Chances you're pretty much got the job since you've been invited to travel to San Francisco to interview unless you REALLY screw it up or pissed people off. Never mind seeing Fisherman Pier, Chinatown and the sights of S. Francisco. You're on a business trip not vacation and there's always time for that once you move there. Another place to find out is City-data.com. They also have a forum that discuss more about RELOCATING there and more so than this board discuss about travel.

Before going you can look around by Craigslist (they originated and still headquartered from there), ApartmentGuide.com or Apartments.com too. Both Apartment Guide and Apartments.com have print copies at local grocery stores (there may be others) that you can pick up while you're there. Also familiarize yourself with the local geography with Google maps (which also started from there). For one that will help you find the interview locations.

If you're willing to live further out from San Francisco especially in/around Oakland, San Pablo, Pittsburg, Vallejo or Richmond you may able find more reasonable digs. The catch to some of these locations is that they're high crime areas. The next priority is to find something within reasonable distance to the nearest BART station to allow you to commute more easily. Drive or walk to the nearest BART station and than take the train into downtown San Francisco. If you live across the bay (or north bay such as Sausalito) you don't want to drive into downtown S. Francisco. Traffic is a bottleneck on only two bridges (I-80 and SR92) across SF Bay and one bridge from the north on the famous Golden Gate (US101) down from Sausalito in addition to tolls (I-80 and GoldenGate are toll bridges) there's parking to contend with once you get there.

"I also have a cat that is an indoor/outdoor cat so would need to be a fairly cat-friendly area."
That's up to the landlord. Make a point to bring it up with the landlord when you DO meet them to see the place or talk with them on the phone. Some may allow a small pet (usually a cat or a SMALL dog like a Chihuahua) for an extra deposit, others may say NO pets. Period. If they say NO pets don't try to sneak your pet in because if you're caught it's grounds for an eviction.

"I'm 38 and single so want to be able to go out and meet people but am a little over the club scene. Would welcome any suggestions!" MeetUp.com

Good Luck!

Edited by: anyone101

4

Thank you both for your comments. I was expecting to live outside of San Francisco city as I'd been told it was expensive and my cat probably wouldn't be able to go outside. Was just looking for a place to start while I'm there having the interviews as I arranged to stay the weekend so I could look around.

5

Richmond, Pittsburg, Vallejo, and parts of Oakland have the highest crime rates in the Bay Area. Richmond's murder rate is one of the highest in the country. You are getting bad advice here. If you provide some information on your housing budget, we will be more able to help you. Supposedly you are interviewing for an executive posiition that will be well paid. Even so, be aware that many people in the Bay Area spend over half their income on housing. Also, I suggest you go there at least for a weekend BEFORE your interview and get a lay of the land so you will be more knowledgable in the interview.

6

Thanks for your input. Yes, executiveish position with income around $135k. The places recommended to me so far are Rockridge, Piedmont and East Bay and I've looked up what constitutes East Bay but seemed a lot of suburbs so wasn't really sure which ones were best for commuting into the city. These are still initial interviews so I have some time and will spending part of the week in between the two interviews so I can see what the commutes are like. Thanks again

7

Berkeley has excellent transportation, including BART station downtown. College Avenue, I guess is included with Rockridge. North Berkeley, above (east of) Shattuck Avenue, and Albany are good. In San Francisco, north of Clement Avenue (Richmond District), Sunset District, Twin Peaks area, Stonestown Mall area, including Parkmerced Apartments -- there are duplex-style apartments with park grounds (I don't know about pets). The Marina District is very nice, but pricey and clubby. Sausalito is also pricey and across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County (bridge fees one-way/day if you drive) -- there is a ferry from Sausalito to downtown San Francisco, or Golden Gate Transit bus across the bridge. However, Sausalito usually has sun on days while the rest of San Francisco has fog, which is a big plus in its favor.

8

I seem to have become sort of an advocate for the City-Data forums, but anyway . . . City Data is a relocation forum, with it's own San Francisco sub-forum, you may find it helpful: http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-francisco/

9

What exactly is a "cat-friendly area"? One without dogs?

10

In some suburbs it is an area without coyotes. Our son lost two cats that way.

11

Or, a neighborhood without avid birdwatchers!

12

The East Bay is a broad region. East Bay has crime filled urban, nice walkable urban, crime filled suburban, and suburban sprawl, plus more. Sounds like you're looking for a somewhat urban area but with some green space. $2000+ could get you a decent place in San Francisco with some space for your cat out in the Sunset or Richmond. In the Sunset, MUNI light rail can take you downtown. Or in the East Bay, as others have said, Berkeley/Rockridge in Oakland, which has plenty of access to BART stations.