My Job is relocating me to SF. Where to start?

Off-Topic / Lounge
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My Job is relocating me to SF. Where to start?

A little background: I was in NY, my company just moved me to Chicago. I’ve been here for under a year. They asking me to move to SF which I accepted. I need to figure out where to move in SF so that I have an idea of budget and such.

Currently I live in Wicker park/bucktown in Chicago. A trendy area that been gentrified. I’m no urban pioneer, but I am willing to live in upcoming neighborhood, and places that are a little sketchy but not terrible. I pay $1600 in rent a month between me and my lady.

When I move to SF I may have to either get a place on my own, or randomly find a roomate, like CL style of something. My lady will not be coming with me right away so I have to absorb the cost by myself in addition to possibly helping her. I’d also need some manner to park a car as I need it for work.

I think for the first year. I’d like to live in the city area, then afterward maybe move outside of it, however if the price and neighborhood is right I would move out there.

I hear all kinds of different things, mission district, nob hill, pacific height, Berkeley, Sausalito, russian hill. I have no clue on value of property versus, square footage, versus safety, versus being in the mix. I know some places are outside the city and I could take the bart in which I would not totally object to.

Any help from a fellow San Fran person would be dope. My timeline is looking to be around early next year, Jan, Feb, March. I’d like to narrow my search in neighborhoods and understand how much I have to save to pay deposits, and living.

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Lol. That is all.

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You childish brit. lol.

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sozzles :smiley:

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Well, I can only suggest you come out and visit the area’s for yourself. Of the area’s you mentioned, the Mission is the sketchiest BUT they have great cheap food, cheaper rent and you’re closer to the nightlife. The other areas are the pricey parts of SF but only you can decide what you feel will be worth the $$$. Keep in mind that the San Fran Bay Area is second only to Manhattan in cost of living. It ain’t cheap but there’s tons to do and see. Also check out the Marina District, great food in the area and close to the financial district/downtown if that’s where your work is, but you’ll have to deal with the “hipsterdoofus” crowd.

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I absolutely have every intention of visiting the areas. But I know nobody in SF. So I’ll just be going off of google and what random people like you recommend. I’ll probably only have a week to really find a place, so I’ll need to literally narrow down my search from all these places to a few dope place that are affordable and focus my search there. I’ll take your suggestion about the Mission, I heard good and bad things. Obviously the cheaper the better, but while still be near nightlife, food, and things to do. For the first year I’d like to be in the mix.

BTW I work from home. So really being near stuff to do is a great asset. I don’t care about being near any business portion. A semi quiet neighborhood, that I can easily get over to the crazy clubs and bars if I need to.

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If you want to be near the clubs and night life, consider looking in the SoMa(South of Market St) area. It’s a bit more industrial but there’s some cool lofts and stuff around there.

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With the prices im looking at I’ll def have to room with someone! Thanks for the advice.

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All I can say is Im jealous. San Francisco Is my favourite city in the world. I would move there In a heartbeat. Spent my honeymoon there early this year. As cliche as it is “I left my heart in San francisco” :smiley:

Any one needing a worker in the area? shoot me a pm’ :stuck_out_tongue:

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I went there a few years ago, and recently for work and always enjoyed it. Don’t get me wrong, I really really love Chicago. Only being here for less then a year and gigging already at some major bars and clubs has been awesome. The people hear are so goddamn nice it sickening sometimes! The music is simply put amazing here. I’m hoping I can have a similar experience in SF, I know the music may be less, but I’m hoping to find some places I could DJ and gig at in SF too. Additionally I’m really looking forward to being in the outdoors again. Doing some mountain bike and road bike. Chicago being so flat really blows for a heavy outdoors person like me. Hopefully I can have a nice mix. i’ve been waiting to move west so here is my hope it turns out awesome.

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What kinda stuff do you like? I can point you in the right direction for House, Techno & Tech house but don’t know or care too much about Dubstep so no help there.

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Pretty much what you listed. House, techno, tech house, and progressive house. I enjoy electro, and sometimes trance if im feeling up for it.

No dubstep. I hate dubstep with a passion.

I mean i’m obviously interested in the super big night clubs just to go check it out and find one that maybe I could play at sometime. But other then that I’ll check out anything.

Hows finding gigs in town super competitive? I mean it can’t be any crazier then Chicago. Djs are a dime a dozen.

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South of Market. It’s the neighborhood DJTT is located in, and where I live. While it’s not the safest area, a large portion of the nightlife in the city is a few blocks away. Most of what you’ll find is overpriced loft developments, but the further from the ballpark, the cheaper. You could go over by where DJTT is, around 7th or 8th st, and get fair rent prices, but you never really know. I’d say that your best bet is to stay north of 9th st, east of Mission and West of Brannan. That’s pretty much a goldmine of DJs, I live in that area, Ean Golden lives there, all of my DJ friends live here, and most clubs are within bus distance.

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That sounds amazingly perfect. I think I’ll give that a look. You literally just gave me a perfect little box to look in. THanks a ton.

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Grats man!

SF is my home away from home. I lived in the bay area for a few years, and loved it!

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I’m looking forward to it. Although I’m certainly going to miss the music scene in Chicago. I’ve been residenting at some smaller bar/lounges here within a few months of moving, and I don’t know if I’ll have the same chances in SF. I personally play house, commericial house, trance, and electro. You typical night club stuff, but those dj gigs are usually pretty sought after, so we will see how it goes in SF. THanks for the recommendations to SOMA, mission, and Hayes. I will be looking in those areas to move. Its looking like next year will be when I make the move. I know nobody in SF so I’m hoping to make some friends quickly.

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Well im here semi exploring areas. Place is great. I’m from Chicago so im trying to find my scene like I did in Chicago. Unforuantely I don’t think I’ll ever find that. Literally ever other bar in Chicago has a set of deck and a DJ there. Its not hard to find gigs. I’m looking at SOMA but it looks so industrial. If I walk out the door i think I would be in no where land. I don’t mind driving to gigs, or nightclubs or whatever. But I do want to walk out my door to food, coffee and chill. I guess I live a life more then I DJ! I checked out Marina, cow hollow, pac heights, nob hill, and mission. All seemed alright, mission seemed pretty dicey, at least driving down mission St was a wake up call that I may not want to live in the mission, unless im missing a particular nice portion. Otherwise I’m thinking nob hill, lower pac, or maybe soma unless im also missing a cool portion. I don’t need to DJ at a giant night club, although that would be nice, but I like/enjoy spinning and see smaller places with DJs that murder it. Any suggestions? I’m moving in April or May now since its become official.

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this dude is from SF and hit me up on soundcloud. seems like a cool dude.
I checked out his website, seems like he is a big dj over there. maybe shoot him a PM and get some answers for your questions you have.

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Congratulations. SF is a great place to live.

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Hey Guiltyblade, I’m from the Bay (studying abroad currently). So I went to school at Berkeley and after I graduated all my friends moved to SF. Over the past two years we’ve all experienced SF a lot more and the consensus has been that the best place to live is SoMa mainly because its close enough to the city life and also just far enough where its not too crazy. The other place I would recommend is Nob Hill / Russian Hill. Absolutely beautiful areas to live. But I’m sure the SF proper residents on this forum can pitch in more on the living situations.

The awesome part about the Bay Area (SF especially) is the BART system. You can get pretty much anywhere you like at any time. Just gotta catch that last midnight train though if you don’t want to come home after the club by cab!

Electronic music club → Ruby Skye and that’s about it. There are other smaller venues around SF with raves/etc but those are always full of little kids. Ruby Skye is hands down the premier club of SF. At Ruby, I’ve seen Armin twice, Laidback Luke, Bobina, BT, Norin & Rad, the list goes on. I always make a trip out to RS when I’m back home from school. It’s very intimate and upscale and you get up close with all the big name djs. I prefer this experience much more than any kind of festival.

SF is all about the Bay diversity and culture. I’m 24, lived in the Bay all my life, and still find new things to do in SF every time I’m home. Embarcadero, pier 39, union square, chinatown, twin peaks, polk street, treasure island…

Hit me up any time if you’re looking for things to do or have questions. You’re moving to one of the best cities in the world. You’re not only moving to SF, but you’re moving to the Bay AREA (east bay, south bay, north bay) with cities full of things to do. I’m excited for you!

I feel like a tour guide :stuck_out_tongue: