The Official Tour
Today I went on a tour of the city with a very nice relocation not-agent named Allison. My friend Tony tagged along for additional insight/input since he's mister social/trivia and has lived all around town. That turned out to be great. Listening to him and Allison talk to each other about what they do and don't like around town was good information to have. Plus he could give me a non-interested-party assessment of what's reasonable for rent.
Since I don't even know yet if I'm moving, this was more of an orientation trip. Allison explained how some of the neighborhoods got their names and how they relate to all the hills and valleys, so now I have a much better feel for where things around town. (e.g. If you're in Pacific Heights, you're on a hill. If you're in the Noe Valley, you're in a valley. See?)
Hmmm, the rest of this is more so I can remember so you can skip it if you like.
The apartments I looked at were more to give me a feel of what I could get for my money. Since I was already prepared to spend a lot, I didn't have a sticker shock problem. I do know that I can find a place for less than the places I was seeing. And since the market's soft, I can negotiate a bit. I can see parking is gonna be a concern, though. I'd rather not have to use my car much, but I'm not getting rid of it and I'd like to have it not be a total pain in the ass to put it somewhere.
The main thing I'm concerned about is having lots of stuff to do and places to eat and drink within walking distance. I've never lived somewhere where I had all that. Well, Ann Arbor did, but it's not exactly a hotbed of activity.
The only apartments I actually looked at were in the Marina or Pacific Heights. I'm more familiar with the Castro and Noe Valley. They all seemed like they had plenty going on, that I could find somewhere to live in my price range, and that parking might or might not suck or I could pay a ridiculous amount for a designated spot.
I'd be working in South San Francisco, so commuting from the Marina or Pacific Heights (at the north end of the peninsula) would be farther, though opposite the general flow of traffic. I think I'm tending towards Castro or Noe Valley because that's where my friends live. It does seem a little more relaxed down there, though. I got the impression that the folks really like the Mission for going out to eat and drink, but you wouldn't really want to live there or be walking around late at night.
I was thinking of hitting up craigslist and spending some time Thursday looking at places, but there's no sense in getting too deep into this when I don't even know yet if I have the job.
It was a good day. I saw a lot. I learned a lot. I experienced all the microclimates (heat, cool breeze, allergy flare-ups). Allison was very cool and I think she'll be really helpful if I have the fortune to need her further services.
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cool. so far so good. i'm glad you're getting a feel for the city.
i thought pacific heights was pricey and a little uppity. am i wrong?
No, that's about the feel I got from Pac Heights. The Marina wasn't much better. Lots of very fashionable women/ex-sorority girls with very fashionable strollers whose husbands/ex-fratboys are making big bucks downtown.
Hey Erica, I lived in SF for over 14 years - Go for Noe Valley - without a doubt. Or the Mission, a little younger and rougher around the edges but once you know your way around it's a non-issue. Castro is cool too, but you really should also check out Glen Park - especially if you are commuting to the South Bay. A lot like Noe Valley - small "village" atmosphere, great park, excellent food and drink and perfect location for a So. Bay commute. Stay clear of the Marina - you'll hate it. I don't know you, but trust me here. It's not particularily queer friendly and it just too "too". Besides, if there is another big quake - adios amigas.
Good luck in your search and if you need any advice - just hollar!
fool, you better take the bus and not drive to work! :)
MJ, good stuff to know. I think I'm leaning pretty strongly towards Noe Valley or somewhere adjacent to it.
Glenn, if I live close enough to a BART station, I'll probably take that to work every day.