Any one from San Francisco?

[poodlelover]

My son informed me today he may be transferring to San Franciso in his job.  What's it like there?  Is living expenses outrageous?  Thanks for any info. 

[marc11864]

Ugh... It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

It really is quite pricey, even to rent in the city. SF is rent controlled of course but that won't do your son a whole lot of good initially. If he has a car, it may be more advantageous to live somewhere just outside of the city. Some areas of Oakland are reasonable and safe (Lake Merced area comes to mind). Even into the Daly City or San Bruno areas are less pricey. Assume 1 1/4 the cost of food if in the city at the grocery store.

Mind you, I don't want to dash his interest. SF has many fine things as pluses to live in the city proper. Not the least of which is if he does NOT have a car (and he may decide to get rid of it anyway due to parking there), the metro transportation in the city is fairly reliable and not outrageously expensive either.

http://www.sfmuni.com/cms/mms/home/home50.htm
http://www.bart.gov/index.asp

Hope this helps as a start! 

[marco23]

Well, I don't live there - I'm a tourist- but I LOVED SAN FRANCISCO!
The atmosphere is so laid back. Where I'm from, I can walk two blocks from where I live and it's desert. When I visited SF, walking two blocks you can have an adventure! The cafes, the Piers, the parks, cable cars, Chinatown, Heights, Golden Gate Bridge, the shops, the people, the friendliness...driving 20 minutes out of SF - into a forest.  Pine trees, fresh air, camping and hiking. Going from a tourist attraction...to enjoying pine trees within an hour...LOVE IT.
I'm just going by my visit....BUT, I am so in love with San Francisco!

[Robert]

I say GO!

SF is a true experience.  If he's young and single he can have a great time.  So much to see and do.  It's a very cosmoplitan city and very compact so you can go from the "Mission" (Central and S. American, primarily) to "Chinatown" to North Beach (Italian and home of the Beat Movement (kerouck, Ginsberg, City Lights Book Store) to the "Avenues" (Irish) to the Castro (Gay) to SOMA (South of Market) (leather) to  "Haight St" (Summer of Love...hippies, LSD, THE FREE CLINIC), downtown (business types) all in one day.  The food is excellent.  Lots of bars, catering to anyone and the latest whim.  And it's a very forgiving city.  And Liberal.

It's also expensive.  To live within the City, figure about $1100.00 for a studio apartment.  If he shares a 3 bedroom apartment, figure about $800 per person.  Plus utilities.  Forget the car.  Too expensive.  Parking is a hassle.  You always have to move the car to avoid getting tickets.  If you're working in SF, you don't need to car as public transportation is great.  You can get anywhere in the city in no time.  SF has a subway, surface buses, cable cars and trolleys.   

Like I said, if he's going alone and he's young, it's an experience he'll never forget and never regret.  It's a great opportunity.

If he wants something a little cheaper, across the Bay in Oakland or Berkeley is an option.  Lots to do over there and you can take BART (subway) under the bay to SF in a matter of minutes.


robert

[poodlelover]

Thanks everyone I will surely pass this info on to him.  Looks like if he goes best thing to do is get rid of his car.  He is excited about the possibility of going.  Relocating isn't new for him but i sure hate loosing my baby.  He has lived in NY and WI.   He is 24 but still my baby. 

[Robert]

24 years old?  San Francisco? 

What a combination!!  What an opportunity.  He should go for it.

robert

(who pines for the days when he was foot loose and fancy free)

[brezee]

Beautiful city- good luck!