Where to live in San Francisco

Just landed a job at an investment bank in the financial district of San Francisco. I've only been to the city briefly and I'm wondering what neighborhoods I should look at when finding a place. Thanks for the help.

 
Best Response

Here's a hasty rundown of the major hoods:

The Marina: The "frattiest" neighborhood. Extremely nice restaurants and boutiques, though residents of other neighborhoods will assume you're an elitist and judgmental yuppie for living there. Relatively expensive. A bit far from the financial district (FiDi).

Pac Heights: Like the Marina, but a bit younger crowd.

North Beach: Little Italy/strip club epicenter. Where the beat generation hung out. Relatively tame despite the many strip clubs. Great neighborhood all around, but it attracts a lot of tourists. European feel.

The Mission: Hispanic neighborhood in the process of gentrification. Hipster haven. Very trendy vibe, lots of used bookstores, random boutiques, art studios, etc. A BART ride to FiDi.

Nob Hill: Ritzy, old money neighborhood. Not many young people until you get to "lower nob hill" aka the "Tendernob." Great views, close to downtown. Expensive.

The Tendernob: Has a bit of a grungy feel, but it's right near the heart of downtown (Union Square) and rent is pretty cheap. Lots of art students and tourists around these parts.

SOMA: "South of Market." Lots of old industrial buildings converted into lofts. Drew an influx of entrepreneurs during the dot com boom. Relatively new housing, quite trendy. Very close to FiDi. South Beach is a subdivision of SOMA, and has a lot of young people. Right near the ball park.

Haight-Ashbury: Self explanatory. Like acid & homeless youth? Want to be right near an incredible park (Golden Gate)? This is your spot. Far from FiDi.

Typed this out really fast, but happy to answer more specific questions. What are you into? I can give you more tailored recommendations with additional info.

 

startupbanker is right on the money, but I'd recommend Russian Hill; it is a bit like Nob Hill. The area east of Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill is also great.

A lot of people like Noe and SOMA, but I am not a huge fan. SOMA is kind of hipster-y. and Noe is just dull.

I'd stay out of the tenderloin if possible. It has gotten nicer of the last decade, but it still has pretty high crime. The homeless/druggie population is also high.

Finally, just pick an apartment near a BART station. It will make getting around much easier. SF is one of a few cities where you neither need nor want to own a car.

 

Thank you all for the advice. I'm pretty excited to get away from the east coast and SF sounds like its an awesome place to work for a few years.

Startupbanker, I'm pretty into the outdoors, I'm in a frat but it doesn't control my life, I love sports and I'm a huge fan of all kinds of delicious food. Fortunately, my company is paying for me to travel and for 3 days to find a place so i'll get to check out all the areas I hope. I worked last summer in Menlo Park, and I quickly realized that its not that similar to the city at all. any other thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 
GothamAndMeta:

Marin is a nice place

You mean the Marina area? Marin is across the Bay and you have to take a ferry or cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get there.

I'd recommend SOMA/FIDI if you want more of an urban feel (I'm not a big fan of either, too dead during the weekend and at night). If you want more of an SF feel within 20 minutes by public transportation, I'd recommend North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Pac Hts, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Cow Hollow, Marina.

Marina/Cow Hollow tend to be popular with the young finance guys. It's a younger area with lots of bars, I call it the "frat house bros neighborhood of SF."

 

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm in the same situation as the OP and would also appreciate insight.

Three of my college friends and I are all moving to SF for work (others in consulting, tech, and education) and were hoping to find a place for all 4 of us together. Anyone have insight into how improbable that would be while still staying within 1500-2000 per person and with short commute to the Financial District?

We're currently thinking of Nob Hill, Chinatown, the Mission, the Marina, etc.

 

I recommend either of these areas: SOMA - more of a true downtown area so has more riff raff but close to everything. Honking, homeless, malls, clubs, etc. I'd live in a high rise here because then you get a nice new place with gym, pool, etc. downside is its kinda quite on weekends and no great bar areas are walkable (marina, north beach, mission). North Beach - I am in a girls bed in north beach right now! Close enough to downtown but does have lots of bars and places to eat. It's a younger area with lots of young taill that lives here. Potential downside is there are no new places nor high rises. It's more of a suburban feel to the area since buildings are only a few stories tall at the most, which is a downside only if you wanted a new/splashy place. You could probably walk to work from either location or at least take a short bus ride. Marina is where I currently live and it's the true young persons hangout of the city. It's the post-college place to live, but the commute could be a little over 20 minutes, which I know is your commute limit. North beach is close enough that you can always walk or take a short cab over to the marina when the mood strikes. $4k budget for two is actually becoming hard to do these days. I've been looking to move into a decent 1 bedroom and it's about $3,200. I'm sure you'll love SF and feel free to PM me for a drink when you get here.

 

Was there earlier this week and liked SoMa and Marina, thanks for the recomendations. Mission was cool too, but a little bit sketchy at parts - very touch and go block to block. Is there a street or section which has gentrified a bit quicker where tech/VC/IB people are living? It kind of reminded me of Harlem - awesome and cheaper if you know where to live, kind of dicey if you don't.

 

Interested in this as well. Not to highjack this thread but what about East Bay? It seems that some locations like Berkeley, Hayward, Walnut Creek and even Concord are all within 45 minutes from FiDi by BART. The rent seems a lot lower as well. Any comments on those aside from the typical suburbia characteristics (no nightlife, less diversity, quiet, etc.). There is a possibility that I might have an opportunity there and I would be moving with a soon to be spouse. Thanks.

 

Interested in this as well. Not to highjack this thread but what about East Bay? It seems that some locations like Berkeley, Hayward, Walnut Creek and even Concord are all within 45 minutes from FiDi by BART. The rent seems a lot lower as well. Any comments on those aside from the typical suburbia characteristics (no nightlife, less diversity, quiet, etc.). There is a possibility that I might have an opportunity there and I would be moving with a soon to be spouse. Thanks.

 

Go with the Marina or SoMA. The Marina is good because it's crawling with young professionals like yourself. SoMA is good because it's really close to the Financial District and places are a bit newer/larger.

"If you can count your money, you don't have a billion dollars." - J. Paul Getty
 

Marina is a hike to FiDi, so that could make things tricky. North Beach is a much better option if you find a nice place - plenty of good bars, easy walk to work and not far to Marina or SoMA either. Russian Hill/Polk St. is also a great place to live. If you want a newer place in a tower / development, go SoMA, but beware there's like no green space in the entire neighborhood and is a ghost town in terms of places to eat/drink with a few exceptions.

 

I'd rather chew broken glass than run into Nancy Pelosi. What a fk'ing nightmare she is. Embarrassing.

Anyway, CA x Montgomery.... I'd live in nob hill so you can walk to and from work w/in 15 or 20 mins. But depends on when you need to get in. I worked market hours in SF, so was up at 3:30 AM and in my office by 4:30, so lower nob hill was very convenient for me. Marina a little bit yuppie - make sure you wear at least 3 popped collars at all times. But if that's your style, pay a little more and enjoy. I'd shoot for Nob. Close to polk st which is fun for the eve's.

W /roomates, expect to pay 1200 +. You don't need a car, but expect to pay 2 - 300 extra a month to rent someone's garage if you do bring one. I had mine, but only drove it once or twice a month.

PM me if you have any other questions.

 

I'm at California & Battery. Where is the best place to find roommates? WSO? Who is looking for roommates? I graduate early and might be moving early but most likely moving end of June. PM for info.

 

I find SOMA a bit sterile. Newer and nicer, maybe, but it doesn't "feel" like San Francisco. Nob Hill and North Beach are good choices.

Young people are concentrated in the Marina and the Mission. The (only somewhat deserved) stereotypes are Mission Hipster and Marina Douchebag. FWIW, the Mission has much better weather (it's actually warm there sometimes!!) and awesome Mexican food.

The Filllmore is a nice neighborhood in my opinion. Lively with lots of music nearby. Bus connections to FiDi.

 

I am also looking for roommates in SF. Im willing pay in the 13-1500 range and would like to live in a young and happenin place. I'm moving there in September and will start work in the same month. Let me know if you are interested!

 

Yeah f*ck the City, you should just live on the Peninsula. That commute is brutal unless you have a tech bus to shuttle you in. If you're single I'd probably take a hard look at Mountain View, San Mateo or maybe even Redwood City. If you're married w/ kids; Burlingame, San Carlos, Belmont, Menlo all good options.

The City is 30 minutes uber ride away (or 45 on Caltrain). Easy hop when you want to be up there but you don't need to be surrounded by the tech smuggles.

 

I'm a single early 20s female. I'm somewhat famIliar with the Peninsula as I had family there and I think I would die if I had to live in RWC, San Mateo, Mountain View as a 22 year old.

I see your point about just going to the city when you need to but I'm guessing I am going to want to be there pretty much all weekend. I'll have friends who will let me crash but I can't couchsurf every weekend, that's no way to live.

 

Those are good areas to be where you can walk to work even. I lived in Pac Heights, and although it was a bit further, I prefered it.

Cow Hollow/Marina is OK, but I find it to be cheesy.

-------------- Either you sling crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot
 

I'm going to be in SF this summer (down the street from FTP), from what I've been told, Craigslist is pretty much the way to go. So...if you find a decent listing and could use a roommate, PM me.

 

Check out Craigslist for sublets in SOMA, north beach, russian hill and nob hill. Marina is not bad but yuppy and a decent distance away. Nothing to do in Pac heights. Avoid the Tenderloin and "Lower Nob Hill" (aka- slightly nicer part of the Loin).

If you want some space for yourself, expect it to run you about $1500/month. If you have a roommate or two it can be as cheap as $1100-1200.

 

I'm looking for a place in SF too but I'm from the area - still looking for a roommate though I might end up living with someone from my school (or at school). Where are you guys working?

Craigslist is definitely the way to go but I've been kinda lazy. Let me know if you guys find anything. I'm willing to go check it out...

 

are there any other listings beside craiglist, i have searched through pretty much all the areas close to my workplace within my price range (below 1300)...and everything was pretty much filled up already.

 

relax man, something ALWAYS comes up- SF is one of the most transient cities in the world, so people are always looking to sublet. Worst case is you sublet in one apt the first month and then move to another in the 2nd/3rd. Not the end of the world.

 

i went to SF last year and winged it - do not recommend this!

i flew down with my stuff (was abroad until a few days before) and got a hotel. i looked and looked and found a place for a one month lease to hold me over til i found something else. i showed up there and the place fell through. luckily, i was able to stay with another intern for a week, then a coworker offered me his old roommate's vacant room for a month. finally, i found a place that was more expensive than i had planned on paying ... btw i was doing a six month internship in a city south of SF so i was looking mainly in SOMA because needed to be near the caltrain.

Moral is dont wing it like that ... but then again if you are working right in SF you can likely look anywhere in the city.

My recommendations: i like the marina. prime females, good amount of night life, good neighborhood, near the water which i like a lot

if you live in SOMA, live on 4th or east of 4th . Do not live west of 4th.

lower pac heights was pretty nice

overall, i would say marina is the place to go (unless you prefer to get something within walking distance to your office)

SF is an interesting city ... 1 block can be real nice and then the next block can be real sketchy. Do research on your neighborhood!

 
PussInBoots:
Wow, you guys rock at due-diligence... NOT

UCB is right across the bridge, 25 min away from Fin. District. There will be a ton of students giving away their places for $400 - $500/month. If you have a car, you are set. Just gotta make sure you beat the traffic, which is not that hard with 7AM - 10PM hours

Good thought, except:

1 - No car (and BART stops EARLY, have to connect after ~6p, midnight is done completely) 2 - I don't know any bankers that get in before 8AM 3 - If you can get a place downtown for $700-800 a month (and you can), I don't see the point

edit: I had looked into UCB FWIW, friend of a friend goes there...which is how I had that list of issues ^^

 
PussInBoots:
Jeeze you are from NYC target, and interning here in SF? Wow that's a long trip :)

Well, given my background, I really want to do tech banking, so through a bit of luck and circumstance, was able to snag an offer at a top tech group. Given that tech banking = SF, Palo Alto, or Menlo, across the country I go :)

 

PussInBoots--I would not recommend living at UCB for summer interns doing banking internships. It's not a far commute from the city to Berkeley if you just want to hang out and what not, but after a sleepless night or a long day, the last thing you want to do is make the commute.

 

A friend and I (both working as IB summer analysts in SF) have just put a deposit for a three month lease on a two bedroom/two bathroom apartment in the SF financial district. We're looking for up to two additional roommates for the summer.

The lease is from 5/25 to 8/17, and should coincide with most summer analyst programs. Rent is $2650 a month, and the apartment is in a great location (right in the financial district; starbucks, 24-hr fitness, dry cleaners all close to the apartment complex).

Here's the link with all the details: http://thegateway.com/living/tower2br.html

Please PM me ASAP if you're interested.

Thanks!

 

Est laboriosam quia delectus saepe aspernatur voluptatem doloribus. Qui tenetur aliquid dolorem error.

Natus quibusdam est in temporibus ullam et ut sapiente. Suscipit iste aut sequi. Fuga alias in omnis et id sed in. Voluptas ipsa eos est aliquam eaque sed.

Natus tenetur quia quam est. Necessitatibus aut impedit ipsam sed enim. Quis quidem sint iusto mollitia consequuntur aliquid.

Porro vitae nisi quo quia. Rem in iste nihil adipisci fugiat dolorum debitis. Suscipit doloremque exercitationem deserunt aut non alias. Assumenda eaque nostrum ipsam ut tempore expedita.

 

Provident velit rem quis et quisquam necessitatibus nostrum sapiente. Fuga doloremque rerum quod commodi consequatur eum. A blanditiis suscipit dolores. Et voluptas explicabo aut quisquam fuga id voluptatem.

Eligendi consequuntur sit cumque reiciendis. Impedit maxime accusamus placeat blanditiis ipsa voluptates. Deleniti quasi velit aut inventore. Tempora molestiae voluptatem alias voluptatem non et nemo. Assumenda est molestias sed magni minus.

Totam exercitationem nulla quod temporibus error laborum. Doloribus nostrum necessitatibus fuga autem eos.

Praesentium nostrum explicabo dolorem ratione ut iure mollitia consequatur. Consequuntur unde dolor enim omnis laudantium. Totam perspiciatis et et totam sed reiciendis. Molestiae sit eligendi laborum non eum odit.

 

Eos nostrum at optio aut. Et ut qui architecto dignissimos dolor. Quae a voluptatem eius eos sapiente consequuntur laudantium. Est et labore sunt officiis eos consequatur. Qui distinctio et ut quis. Tenetur unde qui nobis voluptas voluptatibus sit omnis.

Ut dicta rerum laudantium molestiae eaque facilis. Ut quasi suscipit quibusdam quia ut. Molestiae et est maiores ut.

Qui commodi beatae eum reiciendis reiciendis aut. Voluptate laborum omnis voluptatem quae voluptatem architecto fuga pariatur. Error aliquid incidunt sapiente consequuntur dolorem id numquam assumenda. Sit ut dolores laborum nemo quia. Exercitationem ut odio eligendi atque quas placeat. In quo et sed et qui.

Et ad et doloremque accusantium beatae. Blanditiis debitis cupiditate nihil numquam optio consequatur placeat. Veritatis placeat et rerum autem architecto ipsum non. Dolores et sint velit. Voluptas quam sit voluptas nihil tempore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”