SF Neighborhood Guide

(Unofficial Code: 1=least safe, 9=most safe)

Once you have made a decision about where you're going to live, you can start to narrow your research. It is important to understand the difference between areas. Each area has its own character and rent vary accordingly.

San Francisco's neighborhoods can vary dramatically from block to block. More than the features or size of the apartment, the price will be based on location.

The following neighborhood synopsis may be used as a general guideline. Keep in mind that one person's paradise may be another person's prison!

Bernal Heights: (Moderate rent; code 6)
This neighborhood on the southeastern-most hill of San Francisco, is a melting pot of interesting cultures. Housing includes Victorians and stucco homes on quiet streets, with beautiful views. There is a lot of industry at the eastern base of the hill and transportation is limited.

Haight-Ashbury: (Moderate to high rent; code 7)
An eclectic neighborhood that is birthplace to the flower-power/hippy movement of the '60s. Living in this district could be an adventure. There is a fusion of grand Victorian homes, thrift shops and trendy restaurants.

The Marina: (High rent; code 8)
This neighborhood is located by the Bay at the north end of the city. It is close to many of the attractions which San Francisco is noted for--Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, North Beach, and many other attractions are nearby. Shopping and dining are superb. It is largely an upper class neighborhood, but bargains can be found.

The Mission: (Low to moderate rent; code 5)
The Mission District is known as the "Sun Belt" of San Francisco. Housing is mainly low cost Victorian flats and houses. Most of the residents are Spanish speaking. Mission Street has many fine Mexican restaurants, as well as a variety of discount stores and grocery shops.

Noe Valley/The Castro/Castro Heights: (Moderate to high rent; code 7)
Diverse neighborhoods with a variety of coffeehouses, pubs, cafes and shops and beautiful views. These adjacent neightborhoods attract many young professionals. The Castro is considered the hub of the gay community.

North Beach: (Moderate to high rent; code 7)
Spectacular views and the narrow streets of Telegraph Hill make the area one of the most charming in the city. The weather here is sometimes windy and chilly. There are major nightspots, cafes, fine restaurants; the neighborhood has a strong Italian flavor. Also known as "Little Italy."

Pacific Heights: (Very high rent; code 9)
This prestigious area has impressive mansions and grand apartments. Share renting may allow you to live here. A very upscale, quiet, and safe area.

Potrero Hill: (Moderate rent; code 6)
Located in the "Sun Belt," the views are among the most spectacular in the city. Housing ranges from old Victorians to stucco houses and modern apartments. The area located below the hill is in some places filled with industry and in other places rather noisy, but the area on the whole is worth looking into carefully. Transportation can be somewhat limited.

Richmond District (a.k.a The Avenues): (Moderate rent; code 8)
This quiet, middle class neighborhood is also known as the "Second Chinatown" due to the growing population of the Chinese community in this district. It adjoins the north side of Golden Gate Park and ends at Ocean Beach. There are many outstanding Southeast Asian restaurants and inexpensive grocery stores nearby. Baker Beach and China Beach are also nearby.

Russian Hill and Nob Hill: (High rent; code 7)
Noted for its steep hills and cable car routes, this area has breathtaking views and many hotels. This neighborhood is close to the Financial District, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf.

SOMA: (Moderate rent; code 4)
The edgily chic South of Market (SoMa), a neighborhood in transition, is located southeast of the Financial District and Golden Gate University. Tremendous growth and redevelopment ensues here. SoMa is a hub for hi-tech companies and is also home to many of the city's trendy nightclubs and bars. Many modern apartment complexes and new live/work lofts abound the area immediately south of Market Street and the Financial District, however, rents tend to be high.

Sunset: (Moderate rent; code 8)
This district adjoins the entire southern side of Golden Gate Park, ending at Ocean Beach; it also has the San Francisco Zoo at its southwest end. The district has rows of post-war houses and could almost be classified as a suburb. It is a quiet, low-crime area with good transportation, but is usually foggy.

Tenderloin/Civic Center and Bayview/Hunters Point: (Low to moderate rent; code 2)
The rents in these neighborhoods are the lowest in the city, but the crime rate is among the highest. These areas are not recommended. The safety problems of these areas should be considered carefully before deciding to move here.

Twin Peaks/Diamond Heights: (Moderate to high rent; code 8)
This middle to upper middle class neighborhood is a quiet, low crime area, with excellent views and apartments more modernly styled. There are trees, parks and open spaces; it is usually windy and the hills are steep. Transportation can be somewhat limited.

The Western Addition: (Low to moderate rents; code 3)
This neighborhood, which stretches from Lower Pacific Heights to the Lower Haight, has some outstanding Victorians and is close to downtown. CAVEAT! Parts of this neighborhood can be rough.

Alameda County

Berkeley: (Low to moderate rent, code 6/7)
Berkeley is a dynamic community of students and professionals that has developed around the University of California campus. Rents can run as low as $150 per month for sharing a two bedroom apartment, but the low rentals mean that the vacancy rate in Berkeley is only 2_5% on average. Oakland

An ethnically diverse city of over 300,000 residents, Oakland is located within thirty minutes of downtown San Francisco. The low to moderate rents available present an attractive alternative to the high cost of living in San Francisco. Oakland, made up of a variety of neighborhoods, enjoys the warm, sunny weather found throughout the East Bay.

North Oakland: (Moderate rent; Code 6/7)
This very popular section of the city is close to the University of California and the shopping/restaurant districts of College and Piedmont Avenues. There is easy access to San Francisco on BART or express bus (E, C).

Lake Merritt: (Moderate rent; Code 6/7)
The lake area is located near downtown Oakland and the shopping/restaurant district of Grand and Lakeshore Avenues. The historic Grand Lake Theatre, with four first_run movie houses, is within walking distance. San Francisco express buses include the N, K, V, A, B, CH.

Oakland Hills: (Moderate to high; Code 8)
The hills area runs for several miles and includes neighborhoods called Glenview, Fruitvale, Laurel and Millsmont. The express buses N and V service many sections. There are fewer rentals available and the commute to San Francisco is usually not more than one/half hour. The area is above Highway 580 with good views and nice weather.

East Oakland: (Low rent; Code 4)
This area is below Highway 580 and is not considered too safe. Several buses service the area and the Fruitvale BART station is nearby, but it may not offer the best rental quality.

Piedmont: (Moderate to high rent; Code 9)
This hilly city is an elite community completely surrounded by Oakland. Very few rental units are available; however, occasionally families take in student boarders. Transportation is adequate; a car is recommended although two express buses to San Francisco serve the area: C, CH or CB. Contra Costa County

Lafayette: (High rent; Code 8)
This is a small community with easy access to restaurants, shops and transportation. Located close to Lafayette Resevoir, this little city is ideal for jogging, biking, hiking, boating or fishing. Although it is slightly colder in winter months, the summers are very pleasant.

Concord/Walnut Creek: (Low to moderate rent; Code 7)
These relatively large cities offer many housing options. Houses and apartment complexes are available at reasonable rents. Summer and winter temperatures are in the extremes and the commute (best by BART) is approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

El Cerrito/Richmond Annex: (Moderate rent; Code 7)
These communities just north of Berkeley boast quiet streets and good shopping. Both cities offer good quality housing although availability varies. The commuting time by BART is approximately 45 minutes. The weather, as with most of the East Bay, is warmer and sunnier than that found in San Francisco.

Other excellent locales to consider would be the quieter towns in the South_East. Each is a self contained residential community with suburban, shady and quiet neighborhoods. There is a pleasant mix of styles from the traditional older home to the stucco_tiled roof to the California Ranch and more recently, apartment complexes and condominiums. Generally safe neighborhoods with moderate_high rents. Commuting time is relatively short on the BART system. Look into the following cities: Piedmont, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, Union City and Fremont.

The South Bay, which includes the Peninsula communities and the San Jose city area, does offer a wide range of rental possibilities, although commuting time may be long. The various municipalities popular with students (e.g., South San Francisco, Daly City, San Mateo, Palo Alto) are generally safe and quiet. The moderate and comfortable year-round climate, the abundance of recreational, cultural and academic activities makes it a desirable place to live. Varied lifestyles from the remote and foggy Pacific coast towns near Half Moon Bay to the modern sophisticated bayside communities like Foster City. There are many spacious townhouses and detached single-family homes to be found on the Peninsula. SAMTRANS serves the transit needs of the area with over 10 bus lines. Information on transportation to the South Bay is available at the Transbay Terminal, Mission and First Streets, San Francisco.

Daly City: (Moderate rent; Code 8)
As housing becomes more expensive, Daly City is becoming an attractive suburb for young professionals. This area can get foggy and cooler. Commute is best by BART.

South San Francisco: (Moderate-low rent; Code 7)
Referred to as "South City" and the "Industrial City", you will find older houses in this Industrial region of the Bay area.

Redwood City: (Moderate rent; Code 7)
This city combines residential, industrial, and commercial elements in a largely urban environment. A wide variety of housing types are available and shopping centers are located throughout the city.

Millbrae/Burlingame: (Moderate Rent; Code 7)
These are well-rounded communities with landscaped buildings and adequate parking. Many lovely homes on tree-lined streets have enhanced the quality of living in these cities.

Foster City/San Mateo: (Moderate-high rent; Code 8)
Housing styles are varied with a blend of stately older homes and new, modern high-rise condominiums in settings that range from waterfront to hillside.

The North Bay includes the counties of Marin, Sonoma and Napa. In general, the long commute time and the lack of reasonably-priced rental housing make this area an inconvenient one in which to live. However, the county's natural beauty stretches from its headlands to mountains and rolling hills to rugged sea coasts and sail-filled bays. Perhaps the most affordable housing may be found in San Rafael and parts of Sausalito or Corte Madera, where new housing developments are common. Homes range from houseboats to palatial estates and townhouses.

Transportation to and from the North Bay is available on Golden Gate Transit bus lines as well as on ferries across the Bay. Schedule information for the bus system is posted at the Transbay Terminal at Mission and First Streets in San Francisco.