Where are the best and most affordable places to live in San Francisco?
Answer:
In order of preference:
1) Mission/Dolores area. On the border of two really happening neighborhoods, this area houses the BEST park in the city (Dolores Park). Great food choices and right next to both BART and the underground Muni. (1BR market around 16-1800)
2) Nob Hill. I've never lived here but have heard nothing but good things about it. Supposedly it's the most "San Francisco-ey" of all neighborhoods with cable cars running through and steep hills with cathedrals and views. (Hard to find good places, 1BR 2000 and up)
3) Noe Valley. Very stroller-centric but low key and not uber-yupster. The Marina is uber-yupster and not in a good way. Noe Valley is the yupster people won't balk at. (1BR 1500-2000, usually includes parking option as it's more spread out)
** Potrero Hill is great if you want to be a little out of the city, have parking, have a great view, pay less and perhaps have outdoor space. But, unless you're below 19th street, you might as well live in Oakland. Dig? (1BR 1200 and up)
**Pac Heights is quiet and expensive but you wont' be able to catch a lot of busses, park or pick up delish food right around the corner. $$$$
Word of advice--SF is a city where the first question ANYONE will ask you is "where do you live?". This isn't for socio-economic standing, it's relative to personality. Almost every neighborhood has "good" and "bad" areas. SF is small. Each hood has a "cliche" of what the people that live there are like, the extremes would be Mission = hipster, Marina = yuppy. Good luck and happy apartment hunting. (obviously Craigslist is the only way to go on that one)
Try contacting a local real estate agent. They will know everything there is to know about affordable options. A really good website to browse local real estate/real estate agents is: http://www.realestateforsaleincalifornia.
It's really easy to navigate and is full of info about realtors with links to their personal websites. Most of their websites will have all the available homes/rentals in the area along with community info, so you can do some research before you contact anyone. Hopefully that works for you. Good luck!
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