Moving to San Francisco. I'll need tips on how to survive and live alone.?

judyy · 12-25-2007, 02:16 PM

I'm moving out the summer of 2008 (FROM FLORIDA) and I think it's wise to prepare now, by saving any money I get my hands on and learning to be more conservative. Unfortunately my parents are not supporting me... So I have to pay for my own collge (community college) and my rent.. etc... I'm moving out because my parents own a business and they really need my help (no workers) and they have enough money to retire next year when their lease is over. But if I stay with them a year after I graduate from high school, they are going to renew their lease to a 10 year plan! yikes! I can't leave for a long while if they do that! So I have to leave immediately if I don't want to be stuck in florida (a place i despise).. I want to pursue my career in SF and I can't let me parents stop me. But I'll need help =[ TIPS ANYONE?

Inundated in SF · 12-25-2007, 02:17 PM

I have lived in San Francisco for 25+ years. Bring money or at least get a job that pays well enough so you have money for rent and things. In SF, rents are not cheap here, especially if you are hoping to live alone (the more roommates you have, the lower your rent although some landlords limit how many people can live in an apartment since extra bodies add more wear and tear on the place, etc.). Usually, landlords want first month's rent, a deposit (normally equal to one month's rent) and often last month's rent with the stipulation that if the rent goes up inbetween the time you move in and move out the you will still owe the landlord the difference. Utilities can be high because summers are generally cool enough so you often need the heater on (and definitely in winter), depending on where in the city you are (foggier places are usually colder). Eating out can get expensive (I guess groceries are comparible to other places but I don't know; when I travel I never cook for myself). In the city, you have a semi-good public transit system that can get you around--between Muni, BART, CalTrans and SamTrans, may take a long time but a car is NOT essential (there are also car clubs you can pay annually $10 or so for and be able to borrow out a car when you need one). I think utilities are high and keep increasing. You'll probably need cable tv if you want to watch tv (basic plus service without any movie stations is almost $60/mon.).

If you budget yourself and are careful, you can live quite happily here. If you aren't careful and let yourself buy as you want, it's real real real easy to go into heavy debt (and too many people are in debt bigtime). Jobs are available depending on what skills you have to offer. Just be wise, careful and don't do a lot of buying immediately until you settle in well enough to know where the discount places are, where you want to live, etc. Outside SF: the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, etc) is slightly cheaper than SF, South Bay (Palo Alto, Mountain View, Santa Clara, etc.) is about the same price as SF, North Bay (Marin) is expensive, further north it gets a little cheaper but then you have to commute if you work in SF.

yahoosucks · 12-25-2007, 02:17 PM

Could u pick a more expensive city? I hope your not moving to Marin county, its the wealthiest county in the country. Are u 21 yet? If so please buy a small automatic pistol before u go, you will never be able to buy one of these legally once u become a resident of CA and live within city limits. Good luck in one of the most beautiful cities on earth. I hope your career choice pays out more than 60k a year, or you will end up living in the slums. You sound independent and smart so I think you will be fine.

Vicky L · 12-25-2007, 02:17 PM

I think your biggest hurdle is going to be housing. Rent is really expensive here in SF, especially ifyou want to live by yourself in a nice neighborhood. i suggest getting a roommate in SF or looking for something a little further outside of SF. Since you're going to school here in CA, look for financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. You may also want to look at SFSU or another 4 year college in the area. They usually have dorms that you can stay in that are cheaper than renting in the area. and are more flexible with moving you around if you don't get a long with your roommate.

best of luck to you!

Vicky L · 12-25-2007, 02:17 PM

I think your biggest hurdle is going to be housing. Rent is really expensive here in SF, especially ifyou want to live by yourself in a nice neighborhood. i suggest getting a roommate in SF or looking for something a little further outside of SF. Since you're going to school here in CA, look for financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. You may also want to look at SFSU or another 4 year college in the area. They usually have dorms that you can stay in that are cheaper than renting in the area. and are more flexible with moving you around if you don't get a long with your roommate.

best of luck to you!

12-25-2007, 02:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
judyy Newbie Join Date: Dec 25th, 2007 Posts: 1	Moving to San Francisco. I'll need tips on how to survive and live alone.? I'm moving out the summer of 2008 (FROM FLORIDA) and I think it's wise to prepare now, by saving any money I get my hands on and learning to be more conservative. Unfortunately my parents are not supporting me... So I have to pay for my own collge (community college) and my rent.. etc... I'm moving out because my parents own a business and they really need my help (no workers) and they have enough money to retire next year when their lease is over. But if I stay with them a year after I graduate from high school, they are going to renew their lease to a 10 year plan! yikes! I can't leave for a long while if they do that! So I have to leave immediately if I don't want to be stuck in florida (a place i despise).. I want to pursue my career in SF and I can't let me parents stop me. But I'll need help =[ TIPS ANYONE?

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12-25-2007, 02:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Inundated in SF Newbie Join Date: Dec 25th, 2007 Posts: 1	I have lived in San Francisco for 25+ years. Bring money or at least get a job that pays well enough so you have money for rent and things. In SF, rents are not cheap here, especially if you are hoping to live alone (the more roommates you have, the lower your rent although some landlords limit how many people can live in an apartment since extra bodies add more wear and tear on the place, etc.). Usually, landlords want first month's rent, a deposit (normally equal to one month's rent) and often last month's rent with the stipulation that if the rent goes up inbetween the time you move in and move out the you will still owe the landlord the difference. Utilities can be high because summers are generally cool enough so you often need the heater on (and definitely in winter), depending on where in the city you are (foggier places are usually colder). Eating out can get expensive (I guess groceries are comparible to other places but I don't know; when I travel I never cook for myself). In the city, you have a semi-good public transit system that can get you around--between Muni, BART, CalTrans and SamTrans, may take a long time but a car is NOT essential (there are also car clubs you can pay annually $10 or so for and be able to borrow out a car when you need one). I think utilities are high and keep increasing. You'll probably need cable tv if you want to watch tv (basic plus service without any movie stations is almost $60/mon.). If you budget yourself and are careful, you can live quite happily here. If you aren't careful and let yourself buy as you want, it's real real real easy to go into heavy debt (and too many people are in debt bigtime). Jobs are available depending on what skills you have to offer. Just be wise, careful and don't do a lot of buying immediately until you settle in well enough to know where the discount places are, where you want to live, etc. Outside SF: the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, etc) is slightly cheaper than SF, South Bay (Palo Alto, Mountain View, Santa Clara, etc.) is about the same price as SF, North Bay (Marin) is expensive, further north it gets a little cheaper but then you have to commute if you work in SF.

12-25-2007, 02:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
yahoosucks Newbie Join Date: Dec 25th, 2007 Posts: 1	Could u pick a more expensive city? I hope your not moving to Marin county, its the wealthiest county in the country. Are u 21 yet? If so please buy a small automatic pistol before u go, you will never be able to buy one of these legally once u become a resident of CA and live within city limits. Good luck in one of the most beautiful cities on earth. I hope your career choice pays out more than 60k a year, or you will end up living in the slums. You sound independent and smart so I think you will be fine.

12-25-2007, 02:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Vicky L Newbie Join Date: Dec 25th, 2007 Posts: 2	I think your biggest hurdle is going to be housing. Rent is really expensive here in SF, especially ifyou want to live by yourself in a nice neighborhood. i suggest getting a roommate in SF or looking for something a little further outside of SF. Since you're going to school here in CA, look for financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. You may also want to look at SFSU or another 4 year college in the area. They usually have dorms that you can stay in that are cheaper than renting in the area. and are more flexible with moving you around if you don't get a long with your roommate. best of luck to you!

12-25-2007, 02:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vicky L Newbie Join Date: Dec 25th, 2007 Posts: 2	I think your biggest hurdle is going to be housing. Rent is really expensive here in SF, especially ifyou want to live by yourself in a nice neighborhood. i suggest getting a roommate in SF or looking for something a little further outside of SF. Since you're going to school here in CA, look for financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. You may also want to look at SFSU or another 4 year college in the area. They usually have dorms that you can stay in that are cheaper than renting in the area. and are more flexible with moving you around if you don't get a long with your roommate. best of luck to you!