It's a jungle out there

I am on an apartment hunt in the wildest city in America. There are oodles of different neighborhoods, the prices are obscene at best, and competition is no joke. It is survival of the fittest for sure, and I have unfortunately been on hiatus from the stair master (that was before walking up Lombard Street last Thursday).

Last week I saw a cute one bedroom place in Rockridge (sort of the Dilworth of Oakland) listed for $1400. There was even a yard (gasp) and it's only a block from the BART which zips you across the bay & into the city, traffic-free, in 18 minutes or less. The ceilings were high, the bath room was tiny, but there is plenty of room for 3, maybe 4 to drink wine in the kitchen while cooking a dinner.

Another fab-u-less place I saw was in Cole Valley. Just a 10 minute bus ride towards Golden Gate park (kinda south of the city) drops you into a cute, family-oriented neighborhood with a small doggie park right across the street from the 2nd floor apartment. This place had a backyard too (hard to believe, i know)!! And even a porch overlooking it...no wonder it is $1,950 a month. Inside was fab-u as well. Berber carpet, fresh paint, two large closets, a small room off the living room that could be an office or even guest sleeping quarters. The kitchen opened into the living room via a breakfast bar and across the living room from that are french doors leading out to the open-air porch with a view of the shady yard below and the hills above the city.

So now you've heard about the good.

The bad and the ugly:

Near the Panhandle (an extension of beautiful Golden GAte park--great locale) is a one bedroom for $1995. This price buys you awesome location, bathroom mold, an intersection that is louder than your alarm clock, and kitchen cabinets that look like they conceal something from a horror movie.

Thanks. Neeext.

In Hayes Valley I was one of, ohhh, 26 people lined up a three story winding staircase to see a $1350 studio near the Haight and several parks. Though we patiently waited to see the joint for 20 minutes, it only took 20 seconds to take make up my mind. Hell no. With a double bed, a chair, and a closet, there was possibly 4 square feet of room left of floorspace.

Trust me, there is more, but I'd rather not relive it.

My first week here in SF has been amazing, fun, exciting, and challenging. Thank you so much for your prayers and kind messages.

love, meg