Down this road you'll find the Cliff House and the ruins of the Sutro Baths. These ruins aren't too impressive, but it does make for a nice and adventurous date (and something worth seeing in the city). There is a nice like trail you can hike, a cave you can explore, and if all this is too boring, the beach is only a walking distance away. You can stand right on the edge of the ruins and stare out into the ocean. It is clean and safe, and it has its own parking lot. Also, its located in a really nice neighborhood of the city. So if you are up for walking, you can explore some nice houses and parks as well.

Very hard to get to if you are riding public transportation. And this is a tourist site so you may run into some people with too many questions. And it tends to be windy and cold on most days.

This is in between the main area of Castro, and Church and Market. At this corner you can find Ike's Sandwich Shop, which as the most delicious meat,vegetarian, and vegan sandwiches in the city. It is always sunny in this part of town, and there are many bars, clubs, and venues around for something to do. About two block down is Dolores Park, which is perfect for a picnic, day drinking/smoking, and meeting new people. Safe. A girl can walk home down this area and not be bothered.

Everyone is really friendly here, very very touchie-friendly, especially at night when every is out and drinking.

This is the heart of the Sunset District, and being such there are some very good Asian and Thai food. There is also plenty of greasy and cheap (but very good) Chinese food (off Noriega). The bus #28 runs along 19th, and has connections to the L, N, 5, 71 (which can get you pretty much anywhere in the city). Rent is on the cheaper side for very descent houses, that include laundry and garages. College students are starting to pick up on this, so there is a somewhat social scene (more along the lines of house parties). Also, the 28/91, L, and N are all owls, so getting home is possible at any time.

This is the Asian District, and the elderly can be very pushy to get their way through. Mi-day, the 28 bus can get very crowded. 19th Ave is a busy street, so lots of truck and bus noises throughout the day and night.

This intersection is adjacent to San Francisco State University, making it an ideal location for new students who can't afford to live on-campus ($700-$900/mo. for your own room). The colonial style homes are uncommon elsewhere in San Francisco, and feature hardwood floors and convenient access to laundry. It's heavily populated with students, meaning parties are common.

Owning a car here can be extremely frustrating; parking is nearly impossible and you can expect your car to be broken-into about once a year. Public transportation here is also lackluster, and without a car you will become utterly dependent on the "M" light-rail. It's heavily populated with students, meaning parties are common.

Super affordable area that many people don’t know about. Very sunny (we’re talking hot!), diverse neighborhood with many modern looking homes. If you share a flat or home with a few people, it can be pretty affordable. I had a sunny, bright room with my own mini balcony in a 3-bedroom flat. Public transportation options abound! There are also lots of eateries/convenience stores in the area. Since this area is close to the freeway and other busy streets, it might be noisy!

Even though the neighborhood is mostly comprised of families and students, the socioeconomic makeup of the area makes it a little rough around the edges, and not the most desirable place for a young person who is living alone. There seems to be some minor gang activity and some drug dealing–probably due to the fact that the Bayview District, the Excelsior District and deep Mission border this area. If you are someone with an open mind and want a real city experience, then you might be fine here-I wouldn’t recommend this area to someone who is new to the city. The police do patrol the area, so it’s not totally unsafe. While there are a lot of amenities nearby on San Bruno Avenue, there isn’t a major grocery store, so you will need to plan ahead for your food shopping, especially if you don’t have a car. Streets aren’t particularly walkable due to geographical makeup of some of the streets (it’s slightly hilly) and there isn’t a lot of parking after 8 pm on most nights.

If you’re going to live in the Sunset, this is a great spot. Noriega Street is like a “mini Chinatown,” with lots of markets, dim sum restaurants and bakeries within walking distance. There is even a gourmet coffee shop that is a neighborhood favorite on Noriega Street (between 23rd and 24th). There are few dives/sports bars (a little on the rougher side, but they exist) The ocean is a short bus ride away, and a walk or jog to Golden Gate Park will take about 10 minutes. The area is safe, but is noisier than other parts of the Sunset.

Despite all the amenities mentioned above, you might feel like you are isolated from more of the central parts of the city. It will still take you a good 35 to 40 minutes to get downtown during a non-commute hour. Friends might not want to come out to this neighborhood to visit due to the location and lack of nightlife. The close proximity to the ocean makes it foggy and colder than other parts of the other city, though the fog does sometimes clear later in the day.

Quiet, safe area–home to mostly families and students. If you can find an in-law in this area, the rent is usually very reasonable, and you usually will develop a good relationship with you landlord. Ocean is about 8 blocks away, and the Great Highway is a wonderful running trail and gateway to Golden Gate Park. I highly recommend this area to those who are outdoorsy, love to surf, or have a dog. If you like to walk, you can find a few markets, cafes and dive bars on various streets. Another great area for SF State students because there is fairly reliable transportation to the campus, and you can get far away enough from campus to get away from school. The L-Taraval is roughly a 3-block walk, the 48-Quintara bus to the east side of the city is a block away, and the 29-Sunset that goes to SF State is roughly 4 blocks away.

Very foggy area due to the ocean. The weather out here is generally the opposite of the rest of the city. If you’re someone who likes to go out a lot at night or enjoys eating out, this is not a good neighborhood because commuting at night can be tough, and there aren’t too many late-night eateries. Even working downtown can seem like a trek because there is only one major train that goes downtown. You might also feel isolated since those who live in more central parts of the city may not want to trek out to your neighborhood–even driving out there can take awhile sometimes. While the area is very safe, you will see police patrolling the streets–it’s a popular neighborhood for growing/dealing marijuana, and there was even a resident running a massage parlor out of their apartment!

This neighborhood is located on a hill with great views of Bernal Heights and Glen Park. If quiet is what you’re looking for, this is a great area since it is far away from businesses, restaurants or bars. If you have dogs, McLaren Park is six blocks away. The rents are less expensive in this mainly residential neighborhood, and there are many homes to rent for almost the same price as some two-bedroom apartments in other parts of the city. There’s very easy access to highways 101 and 280 if you need to commute.

What makes isolation good for this neighborhood also makes it difficult to live. There aren’t any stores or restaurants within walking distance of this location so a car is almost necessary! Parking is difficult due to many multi-car households. Walking at night is not recommended since it’s so quiet without a lot of street or traffic activity. There isn’t any social scene unless you venture down to Mission Street.

One of the quietest neighborhoods in San Francisco, the strip of Balboa street between 38th and 36th Avenues represents the social hub of the Outer Richmond. Amenities include Japanese, Italian, Chinese, and Mexican cuisine, two cafes, the charming/historic Balboa Movie Theater, and a single dive bar. The area is clean and safe, while rents are relatively cheap.

This area is boring - and there are long commutes everywhere. The journey to Union Square can take up to 45 minutes both on the 38 Geary bus (one block away), and the much more infrequent 31 Balboa bus. Most of the housing was built in the post-war years which, with their stucco walls, low ceilings, and poor lighting, stand in boring contrast to the stately Victorian and Edwardian homes found elsewhere in the city.

The intersection at 9th and Irving represents the Inner Sunset District's social hub, famous for its dense offering of quality Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Italian, American, and Mexican cuisine. Nightlife includes a handful of bars and Irish pubs. Parking is often easily found along Lincoln Avenue, while commuting to downtown takes about 45 minutes on public transit, on either the 71 Bus or the N-Judah light-rail. The neighborhood is safe, clean, and family-friendly, and is at the entrance to some of Golden Gate Park's best offerings: The Botanical and Japanese Tea Gardens, the De Young Museum, and the Academy of Sciences.

Long transit waits and expensive cab fares can make this neighborhood feel isolated from the rest of San Francisco. If you are looking for a "city-living" experience, this might not be the place. Many restaurants close early relative to elsewhere in the city, and nightlife is limited to a handful of dive bars and Irish pubs.

Located in the Sunset District, Kirkham and 25th Avenue is a quiet, lazy suburban area speckled with trees, lawns, and nice houses. Mostly residential, one doesn't have to worry about much traffic of any kind, including cars, pedestrians, or buses. Many families live around here, so for people with kids, this is a great area, especially since there is a youth rec center nearby. Most of the homes have private garages and driveways, and street parking is easy to come by. Considering how pretty, quiet, and safe this area is, rents are quite reasonable.

As is typical with most of the Sunset, fog, cold, and gloom are usual guests at 25th Ave and Kirkham. For people searching for nightlife, restaurants, or anything to do other than take a walk or go for a bike ride, disappointment looms. Finding public transportation can be difficult, and in order to get to more exciting parts of the city, a long commute is required.

The great thing about living at Oak and Masonic is you get all the exciting hub bub of Haight-Asbury without actually having to live in the middle of it. This intersection is two blocks from the legendary Haight, but it's also a block from the tree-lined Panhandle Park. Oak and Masonic offers the best of both worlds -- all the great restaurants, clubs, bars, and stores of Haight-Asbury, and the quiet, scenic calm of a park. The homes and apartments here are stylish, full of character, and well kept, and the location is nicely central and provides easy access to the rest of the city.

Traffic is constant on Oak Street - which makes the area noisy, even late at night. Parking is nothing short of a nightmare in this area, so folks with cars will sometimes find themselves circling for hours (and I recommend writing down where you left your car!) Car break-ins, graffiti, and muggings are not uncommon here, and the cost of rent is not easy on the wallet.

Parkmerced is a large housing complex that’s located just off 19th Avenue near San Francisco State University in the lower southwest corner of San Francisco. There are a variety of housing options from 3 bedroom townhomes to high-rise flats (with studio, 1, 2 or 3 bedroom/bath options). It’s a convenient place for San Francisco State students because most of the townhomes and high rises are within a ten minute walk to the University, while still being far away enough to make you feel like you are living off campus. Rent is reasonable if you sharing a townhome or apartment (most students group together and share the cost of a home or flat). This particular building is a high rise located on the edge of Daly City. The walk to campus from this building is 10 to 15 minutes. The 28 bus going towards Daly City Bart stops right outside this building, making it convenient for those who need to go to Bart, or if you want to make a quick trip to Daly City to catch a movie or grab a bite to eat (there area plethora of Pilipino food and chain restaurants in Daly City). This building also has a good number of coin-operated laundry machines.

Since it so close to Daly City and very suburban, the location makes you feel like you aren’t truly living in San Francisco (even though you have an SF zip code and pay SF taxes). If you don’t have a car, living here can be frustrating because you have to ride public transportation just to run errands. I would sometimes “kill two birds with one stone” and walk the 1.8 miles (one-way) from this apartment building to West Lake Center to get groceries and sneak in a workout. A lot of young teens used to deal drugs and get into fights right outside my window. There’s also A LOT of partying and noise on the weekends since most of the residents are SF State students. If you are a single professional renting a place for yourself, you could find a more central, urban spot for the same price, if not better, price.

19th Avenue itself is a busy road that offers fairly quick access to San Francisco hot spots like Golden Gate Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio, and San Francisco State University. This intersection is the mouth to bustling Irving Street which is packed with great markets, restaurants, and bars. Parking is fairly easy, and even if you can't find a spot on Irving itself, the surrounding streets offer many parking spaces throughout the week.

The traffic on 19th Avenue is steady which causes considerable street noise. While this area of the Sunset is one of the most lively, it lacks venues for folks looking to party on the weekend. For example, there are only a couple of bars nearby, and absolutely no clubs or theaters. While the restaurants are plentiful, the majority serve Asian cuisine so only one type of food craving can be fulfilled.

This intersection is in the Inner Sunset district of the city and is quite lovely and affordable for those with middle to modest incomes. Many students call this area home, as well as families moving out of the more frenetic areas of the city. There is ample street parking, minimal panhandling, and reasonable rents in this area. There are many nice shops on Judah and Irving streets; both these streets are close to the MUNI light rail lines. The area is also next to Golden Gate Park- always a plus.

It's like a relaxed version of the Mission. Very relaxed, not as dense, with lots of cute coffee shops to work in and a growing art scene. Great San Francisco Victorian architecture. Close to the Panhandle, Golden Gate Park and the Haight, so nightlife is easily accessible. Great for USF and CCSF students. This area has a neighborhood feel - people will help you if you look lost and shop-owners will tell you the story of how they met their husband.

A little gray for my liking. Bedrooms run around $1,000-$1,500 each - so get ready to pay. Commuting from here is difficult--and the hills mean biking is also treacherous!

This intersection is in the Anza Vista neighborhood of San Francisco. It is close to the University of San Francisco, and Lone Mountain Campus. It is a quiet area, and rents are pretty average for San Francisco (read: not cheap). Public transit is not direct, but the neighborhood is close to the Geary Street and Fillmore Street where MUNI lines can be found. The area is largely residential, attracting families.

If you are superstitious you might take note that Anza Vista was once a cemetery, and all the graves were moved in the 1930s and 40s. Not much nightlife in the area itself, but it isn't far from some social hubs.

This area looks worse than it is. This intersection of the Mission borders SoMa (South of Market), and has a lot of foot/car traffic. While it is grungy, it is a relatively safe neighborhood. Rents are average for SF (read: not cheap), but are cheaper than much of the city. It is sunny, and the main boulevards (S. Van Ness, Mission, Valencia) are well lit. It is also very close to the 16th and Mission BART station and the 14, 22, 33 and 49 MUNI bus lines.

Depending on where you live around this intersection, it can be very loud, particularly on the weekends when the bars are closing. There is very little parking, and cars without garages must be moved for street cleaning and are at risk of break-ins. There is a large homeless population and the streets tend to be rather dirty.

Bernal Heights is a lovely neighborhood south of the Mission and right next to Bernal Heights Summit, a large hill surrounded by parkland. Many families and couples who can't afford a house or condo in the more expensive areas of the city choose to buy here as it is more affordable (although some housing prices can be sky high here, as well). Being in the lowlands, it is generally warmer during the day than most SF neighborhoods. There is some crime, but is not known as a high crime area.

Bernal Heights can be difficult to commute to and from for those without cars.

This area is known as NoPa, or North of the Panhandle. The Panhandle is a long strip of park land connected to Golden Gate Park. It is close to many interesting neighborhoods and, of course, the beautiful and historic Golden Gate Park. This area is ideal for those who love to run, and like a relatively clean and calm neighborhood, that is also adjacent to areas with more nightlife.

NoPa, like most urban SF neighborhoods near parks and tree lined streets, can be very expensive. The commute for those without cars can be difficult.

Sunset is a main artery for traffic, and this is where the L and 29 Bus cross, so it is easy to get to SFSU, Golden Gate Park or the Richmond from here. Nice, grassy park extends all the way from Lake Merced to Golden Gate park along Sunset.

There are weirdos and old people constantly waiting around for the bus. It's almost always foggy in this area.

There are gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. This area is full of large mansions. The Presidio is just a few blocks away, as is the Golden Gate Bridge for commuting north of the city. It is very clean and safe here.

You need to be very wealthy to live here. Travel anywhere but north is difficult. There isn't much to do in the immediate neighborhood, socially.

What makes this area special is the great collection of food here. Otherwise it's pretty sleepy, until the L rolls through, and then it sounds like an airport.

Nothing bad about it really, except that there isn't much going on after the restaurants all close at ten. Also, it's a long trek to get downtown and there are zero cabs either.

This is a quiet residential neighborhood right next to a really big park. It is just a few blocks away from a BART station and very close to an entrance to 280. There is a strip of "downtown" restaurants and shops just a few blocks away. It is a safe and clean area and the rent prices are good.

There's not a ton to do socially. It's located pretty far from downtown. There are quite a few commuters living there, so there isn't much of a neighborhood feel.

I lived on this corner for 2 years. It's a sleepy neighborhood in the Irish part of town. Great because it's right on the L and near the 24 hour 7/11.

Boring, foggy, wet and chilly. That goes for anywhere in the Sunset. Irish jerks are often getting hammered and fighting in front of Costello's.

This intersection is in an area known as Presidio Heights, as it borders the Presido, a beautiful San Francisco park and neighborhood. Largely residential, the area boasts tree-lined streets and single family homes. Commuting can be difficult without a car as there is very little public transit that goes through the area.

Like many higher priced neighborhoods in the city, it is a bit isolated from nightlife, and, as I stated, can be very expensive to live in.

This area, known as Parkside, is very calm and residential. While it is close to some busses and relatively close to MUNI's N Judah line, public transit would be difficult to depend upon for daily commuting. There is plenty of parking for those with cars. There is little crime in the area, particularly because it isn't close to many social hang-outs or areas with drug traffic. The area is populated with families and retirees, in general. There are a number of parks nearby, and it is close to the San Francisco Zoo and the ocean.

This area is not ideal for anyone looking for a lot of "city fun." It is very quiet and isolated from nightlife, restaurants, etc. Another problem with this area is that it can be very chilly and foggy, particularly in the mornings and evenings, as it is so close to the ocean.

This intersection is in a neighborhood known as Western Addition. Although mostly residential, it is close to the Fillmore District which boasts a great deal of nightlife, shopping and restaurants. There is plenty of street parking, since there is not a lot of foot traffic. As with any urban area of SF, there is always some risk of petty crime, but common sense is generally sufficient to remain safe. The area is solidly middle class and is ethnically diverse, by and large.

This area borders the mission outskirts and Potrero Hill. It is a little quieter and cheaper than the inner Mission but not as desolate or far as Potrero Hill proper. There are good bars and tasty little restaurants around. Transportation is comfortable with plenty of busses and a close proximity to the freeway. There is also the Potrero Del Sol park which has a playground, a skatepark and lots of grass to lie around on.

It's kind of dangerous here. There are lots of drugs and other crime related mischief that goes on. It's also not the prettiest place to be in the city.

This area of town borders several different neighborhoods, your surroundings change enormously from block to block. You will be walking distance to Chinatown, North Beach, and Downtown. For the most part, prices here are on the low side, and most of the housing consists of large apartment buildings. Getting places is easy whether you walk or drive, because everything is close by-the freeway, bart, muni and all sorts of bus lines. If you like art galleries or are a student at the Academy of Art, this is also a great place to live. Walking on the street, you are likely to meet people dressed in suits, art students, or tourists looking for the gates of Chinatown or Union Square. While there is a fair amount of noise from traffic during the day, it is quiet at night.

Few people live here for a long time - most are just passing through. It doesn't feel like a neighborhood - there is no grocery store withing a one square mile radius and more hotels than residential buildings. Street parking is rare and unless you want to pay for a garage, having a car here will be difficult. It is not a particularly clean part of town and there are lots of bums and pan handlers. If you like living close to a bustling night life, this area is not for you. After 9pm it is pretty much a ghost town.

This area is perfect for anyone who wants to live in the city, without having that city feel. The streets are lined with apartment buildings; it is safe and quiet. There are also parks and restaurants just a short walk away.

It is quite far away from the city part of San Francisco. To get there, you would have to take a car or public transportation. This is not the best location for someone that wants to be walking distance to all the popular clubs and lounges.

Who doesn't want to say that they live on Haight and Ashbury? There is no place in the city that epitomizes San Francisco history better. Although this is a very popular destination for both tourists and city dwellers alike, once you get on to Masonic street it feels surprisingly quiet and neighborhood-like. The houses here are mostly beautiful old Victorians, so if you want a place with character, this is a great neighborhood to live in. Although bustling during the day, it is a fairly quiet neighborhood at night, and in spite of being an area with lots of homeless people, it is pretty clean and safe. Most houses come with their own garage and street parking is not impossible to find. Being so close to the park, it is a great neighborhood for pets and kids. Walking down the street you will meet a good cross section of the population. All kinds of people live and visit here. There are families, older people, young punks, hippies, tourists and those just out for a good time. There are tons of shops, restaurants and bars so you will never be bored whether you possess a mode of transportation or not.

Because this is a great part of town to live in, housing here is not cheap. It is also not an ideal place if you do not have a car, because although there is public transportation, it is not abundant. If you want a quiet neighborhood, this area is also probably one you'd better avoid as there are all kinds of activities going on here at all times. Lastly, there are lots of panhandlers and bums that live in the nearby park, so if you don't like to be daily hit up for money on your way home, this is an area you might want to avoid.

This is a great mix of the suburban with the urban. You are faraway enough from down town not to have to feel like you live in a big city when you don't want to, yet close enough to enjoy city life when you are in the mood for it. Most of the houses are duplexes or single family homes, most people have their own garage and a small garden. At the same time you will be close enough to Geary Boulevard to walk to your neighborhood bar or stroll to dinner. Living so close to Geary is a great advantage because there is every kind of business imaginable. You can get your photo framed, buy a new mattress or have the best Korean barbecue all in one block. Parker Avenue itself is clean, quiet and well maintained. There are attractive lawns and well cared for vehicles everywhere. You will likely run into families and people over 40 on the street here.

Because of all its advantages, this part of town is not cheap, but neither is it trendy. If you are looking for a hip part of town to live in, this is not it. If you drive, coming home in Geary Blvd traffic everyday can get old fast. There are no freeways close by. And if you do not drive, although there are plenty of buses, it will take you a while to get to downtown. If you like lots of trees this is not the part of town for you.

This is a fun part of town with lots to do. Great restaurants, shops, bars and music venues are everywhere. Most of the houses are apartment buildings of moderate size and there is a large Asian population that has been living in this part of town for years. Housing prices are moderate and although it is a bustling neighborhood during the day, you will not be kept up by noise at night. It is also fairly safe and neither particularly clean nor particularly dirty. There is a good cross section of hipster, yuppy, and everything in between. This is a great neighborhood to live in if you are young.

If you try to park here any time after six, bring a box of Kleenex. I guarantee that you will be crying with frustration. I have circled here for over 45 minuted on several occasions. Also, although there are bus lines that run here, if you don't drive it may take you a while to get anywhere outside your neighborhood. Don't live here if you like trees, because there are virtually none anywhere in the vicinity. Lastly, if you are trying to avoid people don't live here, chances are you'll run into someone you know.

This is probably the least expensive part of town, and whatever your budget may be, you won't strain it too much living here. It is a good place to live without a car because it is very close to all sorts of public transportation. There are also lots of hidden gems of restaurants, clubs and bars in all sorts of price ranges. If you're into dive bars, this is heaven for you. Also, if you're not planning on using your kitchen for cooking, this is a great part of town because there are tons of cheap eats open till the wee hours of the morning. If you do have a car, although parking is not easy, it's not as impossible as in some other areas.

This is the dirtiest, dingiest, most depressing part of town to walk through during the day and becomes somewhat dangerous after dark. The streets are littered and there are strung out people. The houses are mostly large, old apartment buildings that have a sad air of once having been glamorous. The people you are most likely to meet on the street are drug dealers, prostitutes and johns who will likely hit you up for something. People rarely WANT to live here. Period.

If you want an urban experience involving a loft and creative types, this is the part of town for you. Chances are you will run into a hot new DJ or the person on the verge of creating the next internet sensation at your local coffee shop. The majority of houses in this part of town are live/work spaces for artists of every ilk. Shockingly, this area has decent parking situation. My favorite aspect of this neighborhood is that although many of the buildings look uninhabitable from the outside, on the inside they are often gorgeous. The lofts are fairly new, with tall ceilings, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens and lots of light. It is fairly safe at all times of day or night although I wouldn't leave anything in my car. The neighborhood is pretty quiet at night unless one of your hip neighbors happens to be having a party or is inspired in the middle of the night to start on that metal sculpture he/she has been envisioning. If you walk down the street you will meet hipsters, artists, people with creative hair, tattoos and piercings.

This is not the best area of town to live in if you don't have a car because although it is not a social wasteland-there are a fair amount of shops, restaurants and bars fairly close by- still you'd be hard pressed to get groceries and other necessities on foot. If you have kids and want something green to grow in your garden, this is probably not the place for you either. Also, if you're want a conventional-looking home and don't like the idea of your friends thinking you live in a large garage if they haven't been inside, again, this neighborhood is not for you.

This is a very posh part of town. Most of the houses are single family homes and range from the somewhat large to the mansion-sized. There are many great shops, restaurants and bars on nearby Chestnut street and if you don't want to drive anywhere you can find plenty to do in a few square radius of your house. In fact people who live in the Marina have a reputation for rarely leaving. The streets are all clean and tree lined. If you walk down the street you will run into young, clean cut, preppy people who look more Orange County than San Francisco. Overall this neighborhood is clean, quiet, safe and maintains just the right social balance between calm and boisterous.

This is an expensive part of town. Don't even think of looking here if you are on a budget! Also, if you want to witness any kind of diversity around you, this is not a place for you. Nowhere else in the city is the crowd so homogeneous, and nowhere else will you be judged if you are not wearing the latest in gym wear. If you move here and spend any time in the Mission, don't tell people you are from the Marina, or risk being instantly shunned.

The best thing about living in this area is that you have the beach as your backyard. This is a great place to live with young kids, because there are mostly single family homes, lots of parking and virtually no crime or noise. Although it is not cheap, it is more affordable here than in other parts of the city if you are interested in buying or renting a house not an apartment. You will not run into many people on the streets here because there is nowhere to walk to and most of your neighbors will want to drive, but if you do run into someone it will most likely be someone pushing a stroller or a person over 50.

Fog, fog and more fog. A warm and sunny day in San Francisco is somewhat rare, but if you live in this part of town it is virtually non existent, although the two or three fogless days that you will be graced with will be exquisite. The other really big inconvenience about living here is that you cannot live without a car. There is no transportation and no grocery stores, bars or restaurants anywhere in the vicinity. It will take you half an hour without traffic to get anywhere near the center of town.

This is a safe and affordable neighborhood and a good place to live if you have kids. Also good for students and those who want to live in San Francisco, but prefer a more suburban neighborhood feel. It is an easy place to live without a car because of the proximity of various bus routes and the abundance of shops and restaurants on nearby Geary and Clement streets. The majority of houses are duplexes. The people you are most likely to meet on the street range from young couples with kids to older representatives of the Russian and Asian communities. Another bright note is that it is too far out of the way for bums and panhandlers so there are virtually none.

Chances are that if there is a rare day of sunshine in San Francisco, your house will still be shrouded in fog and an average of 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the city. Also, if you do drive a car, and your house does not come with a garage, you will likely be paying as much in parking tickets as you do in rent because there is virtually no street parking. On the other hand if you do not drive, it will take you as much time to get to downtown as if you lived in the East Bay and had to cross a bridge.

Dolores park, which is always a happening place, is right at this intersection. The houses are very pretty and there are lots of shops, cafes, bars nearby. On a sunny day, hipsters converge in the park to drink beer, lie around and bask in the scenic view of the city. The park also hosts many free events such as movie screenings and small time theatre.

Dolores Park sometimes seems to be a proving ground for art school brats. People leaving the park can be loud (and drunk). Take some time to decide whether or not you can handle the full force of today's youth.

There are many public transportation options in this area, and it's easy to get almost anywhere without transferring. There is a good balance of dive bars and boutiques, and your restaurant options are plentiful: from BBQ to burritos to fine dining. Also, this is where three neighborhoods meet: the Castro, Lower Haight St., the Mission. There's always something to see or do.

Noise can be a problem at night, especially around 2 am when the bars close. Also, the many transportation options can be tiresome - I am over the sound of rumbling trains. The apartments are a bit smaller, but are moderately expensive.

Warren & Devonshire Way is near the UCSF Parnassus campus, making it a great place for students. It is a clean and quiet street in a safe neighborhood. Street parking isn't too difficult, but many apartments have garages. Rent prices are reasonable. 9th Avenue is not too far away, and has many great restaurants and shops.

Warren Drive is on a steep hill, so traveling by foot is a pain. This isolates you from other parts of the city, and makes going to restaurants and bars difficult. This is a foggy and cold area.

The student housing at Mission Bay is very nice and convenient for UCSF students. The new campus is attractive, with a grassy lawn, artwork, a state-of-the-art gym and more. The housing is new, the rent is competitive, and the rooms are spacious. It has a dorm-like atmosphere, so there are plenty of opportunities to socialize within the building. Parking in the area is decent and there is easy access to highways.

Outside of the campus is not attractive. It is full of warehouses and concrete, and it is not safe to walk around alone at night. Travel to other parts of the city can take a while. There aren't many restaurants, nightlife or shops in the immediate area (though that is starting to change!)

18th St & Sanchez is attractive and clean. It is a relatively safe, comprised of young professionals and students. There is a lively social scene in both the Mission and the Castro (close by/accessible), offering great choices for nightlife. 18th St & Sanchez is close to the Muni and BART for travel within the city, and to highway entrances for commuting out of the city

There are some homeless people around, though they usually stay out of your way. Parking can be difficult on weekend evenings if you don't have a garage space. Rent prices are higher than other Mission locations.

The Lower Haight is more relaxed and less touristy than Haight Ashbury (Upper Haight). The rents here aren't cheap, but they are more reasonable than some of the surrounding areas such as the Mission and the Castro. The neighborhood is pretty evenly split between single young professionals, hipsters, and young families.

Lower Haight has some crime, although it seems to be equivalent to crime levels in the Mission & the Castro. Parts of the Lower Haight are loud - with bar crowds on the weekends. Parking is difficult (though no more difficult than the other densely populated areas of SF)

Rent here is cheaper than other places in San Francisco - also, it is easy to commute to other parts of the city. For nightlife, this is the 'Jazz District' of San Francisco, and there are lots of jazz clubs. The streets are clean and tree-lined.

This area has a reputation for gang activity. I do not feel safe here at night.

Central location, close to transportation, Polk St.

No parking, can be noisy.

This area is known as The Dogpatch, and is the last neighborhood on the Eastern end of San Francisco before the industrial structures pop up at the edge of the bay. While there have been residences in the area for a long time, many new apartment buildings and condos are being developed and can be rented for less than average SF prices. Many of these loft style rentals are listed as live-work spaces, and would be great for those working from home. There is ample parking and the area is relatively free of panhandlers.

While crime is not rampant in the area, I would not suggest wandering the streets of The Dogpatch alone at night as there are large expanses of it that are unlit and sparsely populated. Commuting can be difficult unless you own a car, particularly at night when busses stop running or run infrequently.

Close to many social scenes, shopping and the water. Transportation is nearby as well. There are many parks in the area.

Parking is reasonably, can be noisy at times. Rent is a little pricey.

Right in the middle of a surprisingly busy place. There is an art school nearby with weekly openings, as well as bars/venues, a Whole Foods, and good diners. We are away from the bustle of downtown but there is enough happening to keep us busy! Also, 16th and Mission is a quick ride down the road.

Even the shortest walk seems to take forever. Potrero Hill is a quiet, mellow neighborhood. Keep your car clean of any visible valuables. The bums are there but most likely they will keep to themselves. Muggings happen sometimes but not too frequently.

Lot's of fun. Good bars and cheap restaurants. Capp St. is like a shadow of Mission. You're pretty much on Mission but you actually aren't. There is always a house party somewhere near Capp. The Uptown and the Phonebooth serve to bookend the unknown wildness of this little street.

To put it bluntly, it's a s***show. Literally. Watch your step. People get mugged and cars are broken into. I'm not even going to mention parking tickets (it's a sore subject). Because of its close and parallel proximity to Mission and South Van Ness many drivers in a great hurry have elected Capp as the mission's emergency access/ drive as fast and recklessly as you can road. Watch your step.

Chances are you will find a place that you can afford here, since this is not an expensive area of town. It is also conveniently within walking distance to Mission street where there are lots of inexpensive restaurants, markets and bakeries. It is just a few blocks from 24th St BART, so if you do not have a car it is not a problem and if you do drive, getting home and going to work should be relatively easy - it is very close to a freeway entrance. The neighborhood is primarily composed of hipsters.

This is a sketchy part of town - it is right next to a housing project where gangs and drug dealers abound. The houses are not particularly well taken care of for the most part and the street tends to be dirty. There is very little aesthetically pleasing about the area. I wouldn't feel comfortable parking a really nice car overnight on the street or walking home alone really late. Being so close to a freeway exit, this area of town also tends to be noisy during the day, although car activity dies down significantly at night.

This is a great place to live if you are more comfortable in a suburb environment; also perfect if you have young kids or are a student going to San Francisco State and can afford off campus housing. It is safe, quiet, and very green here with little parks and benches everywhere. This is a haven for those who want to live in an apartment building, have parking and a safe, clean, quiet neighborhood. It is also relatively inexpensive.

If you crave a social environment or neighborhood bars, this area is not for you. The worst part about it is that it is extremely boring. Also, if you don't have a car, getting anywhere will take you both time and effort. The apartment buildings are mundane - most of the interiors and exteriors are the same. In fact, it is very likely that you will get lost your first month of living here since there are no particular landmarks that will distinguish your apartment building or duplex from the dozens just like it.

This is a fun part of town with lots to do: Bars, restaurants, shops, clubs and everything in between line the street. It is a safe/friendly/bustling neighborhood, a haven for dog owners, and anyone who enjoys a fun social scene. There are lots of well groomed gay couples holding hands, but there is a good cross section of the San Francisco population that comes here to live and play - The Castro feels like a perpetual party. Homes tend to be on the pricey side. Many have a beautiful Victorian interior or exterior. Public transportation is abundant.

Parking can be very difficult on this street, although you can usually find something within a three block radius if you're patient. There are often demonstrations or events such as the gay pride parade that attract crowds of thousands and swell the already busy street past its capacity. Sometimes violent crime such as stabbings or shootings are the sad result. This is not a place to move to if you are someone who needs absolute quiet in order to relax!

Large houses, great views. Right near Mt. Davidson Park. You can look up at night and see the airplanes flying around to land at SFO. If you view your home as a status symbol, this is a 'place to be'.

The weather is very chilly. There is very little bus transportation to this area. The streets are extremely narrow, only one car can pass at a time on some streets. Car breakins are common, but I feel safe taking walks late at night. This is definitely a residential area - and the only grocery store in the area is fancy and expensive.

This is a great place - close to every basic need a family person desires: a hardware store, post office, library, video store, cafes, pet stores and taverns. And if you are into late-night eating there is the popular King Of Thai Noodle Cafe.

The 'L Taraval' train and late-night bus runs on this street so it's somewhat easy (the frequency rate of late-night buses is questionable) to commute back and forth between this area and downtown SF. There is a high population of families in this area, however this area still houses undercover brothels and pot grow farms. Depending on how you feel about those things, this place could be awesome or not.

If you don't remember to move your car every week for street cleaning then you could easily rack up multiple parking tickets. This is a super-hilly area so unless you're into walking hills or biking them, travel is best by bus or car. Speaking of cars, this area has some of the smallest curbs I've ever seen, so parking is a bit of a matching your car size to the right curb, if you aren't parked in your driveway. Being in the armpit of San Francisco, you will get hit by fog most of the year (Though on days when there isn't fog, you can see to the Farallon Islands.)

Our intersection, near the top of Pac Heights, offers great views of the whole city, pretty much 360 degrees. There's a dog friendly park that usually has people (clean cut, 25-35 year old caucasians), but it's never too crowded or crazy. Multiple bus lines run down Jackson, Divisidero, etc. Parking is pretty easy as well. It's also just a few blocks from the shops/restaurants on Fillmore.

There are hills pretty much on all sides, so you may have to walk up/down a few occasionally, but that's SF! The buses may be loud, but the bus stops are never too crowded with people.

This is a great intersection for a few reasons: beautiful views of the Exploratorium, Alcatraz, and the Bay, beautiful mansions to look at, the edge of the foresty Presidio is right there, and (my personal favorite) the "Lyon Stairs." The Lyon Stairs go from Green to Vallejo and Vallejo to Broadway. They are beautifully maintained by the city, and they're also awesome to run up and down. There is a nighttime security guard at the stairs, and there are also surveillance cameras so crime is minimal. Parking is really easy here. It's fairly close (8 blocks) to restaurants/stores/etc. Also, since there are single family homes and few apartments (if any), noise and pedestrian traffic is minimal. It's very quiet.

Because there are always people exercising, privacy is a little limited. It is also far from the main stores and buslines (though not too far).

This neighborhood is very nice and safe. As a young girl, I feel completely safe walking alone at night. This intersection has many beautiful apartments, and also single family homes. Since there are families with their own garages, parking is not as difficult as other areas. It's easy walking distance from all the Union St. stores/restaurants, and it's 1 block away from buslines 22, 41, and 45.

It can be a bit noisy at times: young people walking back from the bars in the middle of the night, the multiple buslines, the fire station just a few blocks away, and the grade school on Green/Steiner. To elaborate, the school closes Green St down between Pierce and Steiner during lunch/recess so the kids can play (this makes it difficult to park your car). Also, there are some car breakins (many of the residents have nice cars with alarms, so humble/modest cars are often targeted).

This area is really safe, pretty, and close to the Bay/Crissy Field. The intersection of Union St and Steiner St is one of many hubs of activity in this neighborhood. The #'s 22, 41, and 45 buses pass by this intersection. It also has many restaurants, bars, wine bars, boutiques, etc nearby. There is also a church on this corner, if you're into that (and this church does NOT have annoying/loud bells, so no worries there!)

The buses can be noisy, and parking can be hard. There is meter parking on Union Street, but otherwise you need a parking permit (K) and/or a garage.

Geary and 42nd Avenue is a super quiet location - ideal for young families or those looking for a mellow place. You can safely walk the streets at night. A large hill separates residents from the nearest major grocery store, but you can find some restaurants, small grocery stores, and a movie theater that plays indie films nearby.

Also, this area is near Ocean Beach and the beautiful hiking trails that will take you near SF's historic Sutro Baths. There are paths nearby that lead into Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where you can greet beautiful sunsets and sunrises. The 38 Muni bus line that can take you to Ocean Beach or Downtown SF, all day and night. Parking is okay, not the best but certainly not cut-throat.

As always you are located near San Francisco's ocean so more often than not nights will be cool and damp. The less-than-robust nightlife may seem suffocating to those looking to have a more active life.

This intersection is the division between Inner Richmond, Laurel Heights and Lone Mountain. Geary & Arguello is near San Francisco's secret Chinatown - Clement Street. Geary is a busy street, and the 38 Muni Bus line runs straight to downtown with ease. The neighborhood is a blend of Asian and Russian families as well as yuppies.

The weather is bad in this area. If you like the sun, you might be better off looking to live in the Mission district. Parking can be a bit cut-throat as well.

If you are a commuter this is a great place to be. You are close to the 38 Muni bus line that runs all day and night to downtown SF and Ocean Beach. You are also near the 29 Sunset bus line which can take you to San Francisco State University and Candlestick Park. Culture-wise, you are near lots of mom-and-pop businesses run by Russian or Chinese immigrants. Lots of families live in this area and there are plenty of places to eat around. For recreation, you are near a couple of parks and a short drive to Baker Beach.

The weather! It is almost always foggy and cold in this area of San Francisco. Get used to not living with the sun. And because this is a family area, the nightlife is pretty non-existent. There are a few bars here and there but for the most part, life shuts down at 10 p.m. Another problem may be parking. Usually parking is fine but on street cleaning days (which happen weekly), good luck finding a spot to park.

Potrero Avenue and 17th is a bustling, diverse are on the edge of the Mission and Potrero Hill districts. The weather is almost always sunny, and it’s flat so walking to the nearby Safeway or Whole Foods is very convenient. Muni bus lines are practically at your front door and freeway access is nearby if you own a car. Great restaurants such as the Slow Club and Universal Café are close-by and of course, the exciting Mission District is a ten-fifteen minute walk away. The rents are relatively affordable but competitive since this is a popular area to live in San Francisco.

Potrero Ave. is a very busy street so expect quite a bit of noise/air pollution. There’s an empty lot on the corner of Mariposa St. and Potrero Ave., which is dirty and used by the homeless and graffiti artists. Car break-ins are frequent since some sidewalks are not well lit. Car accidents from speeding vehicles along Potrero Ave. are also a problem. SF General Hospital is located up the street so expect a good deal of sirens from ambulances.

California St & 17th Ave is a serene, residential location. Other than the hum of the #1 California bus and the frequent sounds of the foghorns on a foggy evening, this is a quiet neighborhood in the Outer Richmond district. It is a short walk from many diverse activities: to the north is the majestic Presidio (part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area) for hiking and scenic Baker Beach to explore, to the south lies Clement St. and Geary Blvd. with a wide array of Asian and Russian shops and restaurants.

While the air is pretty clean out in this northwest corner of the city, the weather can also be treacherous! The summer months can often catch you off-guard; it’s especially blustery here and the fog can be thick and unrelenting for days during the summer months. It often takes upwards of an hour or more to reach downtown San Francisco and other eastern neighborhoods of the city.

Divisadero & Bush Street has many classic apartments, often roomy, with nice detailing inside. It is cheaper than Pacific Heights proper, which is beginning to gentrify this corner. Divisadero/Bush offers much of the suburban, family, middle-class qualities of Pac Heights, though maintains the gritty Divisadero/Western Addition edge. There are lots of businesses, shops, and restaurants in the area, including a popular bar and a couple of yoga centers.

That gritty Divisadero/Western Addition edge also means panhandlers and out-of-neighborhood elements. Also, Divisadero is a busy street - traffic can be difficult. The bar nearby can be loud into the early morning.

At the edge of the hilltop campus of the private, Jesuit University of San Francisco, the houses and apartments here have beautiful views of the city west to the outer neighborhoods. The sidewalks are wide and clean, lined with trees. The university's soccer field and health center are across Parker, while quaint prewar and Victorian-style homes line Golden Gate Avenue across the street. Golden Gate Park and Ashbury St. are at the southern foot of the hill. Close to St. Mary's Hospital and the commercial strip of Geary Blvd as well. Two bus lines, the 5 and the 31.

This is college country, with the noise and behavior that entails, although USF is plenty quieter than bigger schools. The apartment block at the corner of Turk and Parker is very dorm-like inside and may not offer a more "adult" living situation. Housing can be expensive, and the neighborhood association is always dealing with the university, its foot and vehicle traffic, and expansion plans.

This is a sunny part of the city, with wide new sidewalks that lead down to the Embarcadero (a great area to jog, bike, or skate). It's a short walk to AT&T Park for baseball in the summer. The intersection also boasts a gym, sandwich shop, fine liquor store, and Chinese restaurant provide. The headquarters for CBS Interactive is on the same block, and sometimes its free WiFi floats around the immediate neighborhood.

There are lots of tourists, business conventions, wedding receptions, and, in the season, prom nights that 'invade' this area (as well as sports fans in summer). This is a mixed-use area with relatively recent developments projects, but this corner can feel bleak.

This intersection is comprised of commercial and residential buildings along Irving and the classic "ticky-tacky" Outer Sunset houses along 40th. Families, mainly Chinese, and singles/couples in the apartment block, make up the mix on this corner, with some of the young hipsters taking to the rooftops to smoke.

Loud gatherings, occasional parties, and fireworks make this, at times, a noisy intersection.

This is the famed Union Square area of San Francisco, filled with fancy shopping and eateries. It is a very safe area, always filled with people: tourists, families, and young adults of all different ethnicities. There is a small park in the middle of Union Square, perfect for sitting with a cup of coffee and people watching. This is the perfect area for someone that likes to be in the middle of everything.

If you like living in a secluded area, then Union Square is not where you want to look. Everything here is highly priced.

Beachside apartments line the west side of La Playa, with terraced windows offering views of Ocean Beach and the Pacific. Golden Gate Park and Land's End sandwich the neighborhood in green. Three MUNI bus lines (5,18, and 31) meet here, with the workhorse 38 Geary nearby as well. A Safeway supermarket dominates the area, which once was the site of the fabled Playland-By-The-Sea amusement park. A monument by the MUNI lot recalls the park and its colorful history.

A few bums haunt the area and the plaza between the apartments. La Playa can occasionally hold standing water. The Safeway, which has a large deli, has no cafe facility inside. It's often busy, with people from outside the neighborhood, getting supplies for the beach.

16th and Valencia is one of the best known social hubs in the city. Tons of great bars, restaurants and shops line the newly expanded sidewalks. 16th and Valencia is invaded every weekend by people from all over the city due to the lively atmosphere of the area. Valencia is a divider line between the dirtier and cleaner parts of the Mission. Because Valencia Street is more populated and gentrified compared to other areas of the Mission, the rents are much higher!

There are many, many homeless in this area panhandling. This intersection is always very crowded and loud due to the number of bars and restaurants in the area.

This area is a little overlooked. Near the Outer Mission, this neighborhood is on the edge of everything hip, and is, therefore, a little less expensive than the Mission proper and many other neighborhoods. This area has many wonderful restaurants and there are several cool bars where live music can be found. Because it's not as gentrified as other areas of the Mission, it is largely affordable and the side streets are quiet.

This area is close to some bus lines, but is relatively far from the last Mission BART (subway) stop. It can be difficult to get here without a car or taxi (particularly at night - when walking is dangerous as well!). It is a bit more dangerous compared to other areas of the Mission.

Close to public transit, shopping, beautiful Union Square and close to historic Chinatown.

This area is just up the hill from Union Square, where shoppers who want to max out their credit can find their wonderland, and tourist season never ends. If you want to wade through a million fanny packs and amateur photographers, this is the place for you. While downtown SF can be great for a few hours, living in the heart of it seems a little exhausting.

The area of Church and Market bridges the Castro and the Mission. While the intersection at Market street is very busy, the side streets are quite calm and quiet, and the dirtiness of the Mission proper seems to taper off. Right around this intersection is Aardvark Books, one of my favorite used bookstores in the city, as well as several good restaurants.

Church and Market area can be very busy, particularly for public transit, and the panhandlers tend to be a bit obnoxious.

24th and Mission streets offer a great deal both during the day and at night. During the daylight hours, the area is populated by families and small business owners and there is much diverse shopping to be found. Duck into a tiny shop and find odd treasures from all over the world, ranging from kitschy trinkets to handmade gifts largely from Central and South America. As the area used to be mostly Latino, there are many wonderful little restaurants to choose from that won't break the bank.

Might not be the safest area to walk around alone at night. Common sense should keep you safe enough.

Excelsior is still considered San Francisco, although it borders Daly City. Liquor stores are all around. Rent is cheap and rooms are often available. As for transportation, 29/54/52/49 lines run through Excelsior and connect to Downtown.

Depending on location, the Excelsior has pockets some which are more dangerous than others in terms of crime. Persia in particular has a regular daily traffic of police, ambulance, and fire department trucks heading over the hill to Visitacion Valley. Excelsior is very remote and spread out - and walking (or even biking) anywhere is difficult.

The blocks on 10th Avenue between Balboa and Cabrillo seem to have come from some old East Coast town, with large, multistory houses sporting front lawns and back yards and rear garages and sidewalks lined with tall, shady trees. Quiet and almost exclusive is the feel of this spot, although it's close to two main bus lines, the 31 Balboa and the 38/38L Geary, with a Safeway supermarket a few blocks away.

It can be too quiet, not citylike at all, on this block. Atop a hill or crest, when the fog is blowing, it can graze deeply into the trees. Street parking is limited, and house prices can be expensive.

This is the end of the road—of Judah St. Java Beach Cafe with great food and beer on tap is always crowded with regulars, locals, tourists and wanderers. The N Line turnaround is here, next to old-fashioned large public restrooms serving Ocean Beach, directly across the Great Highway and a large dune. Three motels in the area cater to out-of-towners and foreign tourists off the usual track. The surf town ambience is definitely at work at this edge of the city.

Every now and then, the particular N Line cars may linger at the turnaround for longer than humanly necessary. Java Beach Cafe can be so packed--with single people working on laptops--that sitting inside, in this cold, blustery spot, can be impossible. A few bums wander around from time to time.

Park Merced is a large community located next to San Francisco State University. Park Merced consists of apartments and townhouses that are occupied by many SFSU students. The muni line located at one end of the neighborhood makes it easy to access all areas of San Francisco. It is a relatively quiet, clean neighborhood which consits of a gym, parks, and cheap cooking classes for Park Merced residents.

Since Park Merced is only minutes away from a college campus, some weekend nights can be noisy due to college parties. Also, while there is a lot of accessible parking, residents and visitors must move their cars often unless they have purchased a parking permit.

The center of life here is Charlie's Market, which has been around since the 1920's. Once known for sandwiches, it's more of a general store now, but it anchors this intersection of apartments and small businesses. Three doors up Irving from Charlie's is the Doggie Bath-O-Mat, which is always barking with clients though the sound doesn't make it out the door. The barbershop next to Charlie's dates from 1946 and is now run by a cheerful young mom whose husband also runs an iPhone repair service from a corner of the space. There's a decent sushi house (that delivers), a locksmith, and a small print shop, as well as a pest control business whose fleet of trucks vacates the street just after dawn. The apartments here are mostly young adults with some families whose kids bike or skateboard down the gently sloping street every now and then. Golden Gate Park is a block to the north and Ocean Beach is ten minutes' walk to the west.

A rundown laundry and the vacant apartment above it threatens falling into disrepair. This laundry, of an age with Charlie's and the barbershop, is never used by residents, only by a lone homeless man who himself is pretty harmless but whose occasional visitors can get unpleasantly loud. Most residents use the nicer laundry on the west side of 41st Avenue. Rumor has it the last residents of the vacant apartment were druggies. As in the rest of the Outer Sunset, the sun is a rare visitor to this part of town.

The center of life in this stretch of Irving is Charlie's Market, which anchors this intersection of apartments and small businesses. The apartments here are mostly young adults with some families whose kids bike or skateboard down the gently sloping street every now and then. Golden Gate Park is a block to the north and Ocean Beach is ten minutes' walk to the west.

As in the rest of the Outer Sunset, the sun is a rare visitor to this part of town.

During daylight hour, 24th and Mission is populated by families and small business owners and diverse shopping abounds. The area used to be mostly Latino, and, partly due to this fact, there are many wonderful restaurants to choose from that won't break the bank.

The nightlife around to 24th and Mission is a little more scarce than it is a block over on Valencia street, however, one can find a few lovely holes in the wall such as The Attic (between Mission and Valencia on 24th) and Napper Tandy (between Mission and South Van Ness on 24th st).

While generally safe during the day, at night one would be wise to wander with a friend and be aware of one's surroundings. I wouldn't say the area is any less safe than any other in the Mission, but common sense and caution are required.

Also known as lower Nob Hill or more tenderly as the “Tender Nob.” I would live here over anywhere else in the Tenderloin/Nob Hill/Downtown area. The 'Tender Nob' is an interesting mix of upscale and gritty, and it seems like a particularly fruitful place for young artists, which enables one to see lots of cool art exhibits, as well as graffiti. The hip bar scene on Geary and the numerous art gallery openings are exciting, as well as the proximity to the water. Having more picturesque areas like the Marina and Nob Hill nearby is nice for walks and the rest of the city is very accessible from the Tender Nob. Other pluses include gorgeous architectural details on the buildings and cheap rent.

This area feels like an urban jungle, which can be a bit exhausting. The area is also loud, both from people and the congestion that accompanies a busy thorough-fare. The streets nearby are often populated by drug users and lost tourists that have adventured a little too far out of downtown. Due to their persistance, I often have a difficult time fending off panhandlers.

6th and Clement is a lively area in the Inner Richmond, with plenty of fun restaurants. There are a couple of good pubs with trivia and live music and multiple shops with cheap sundries. Golden Gate Park is nearby. The area is primarily made up of single adults and USF students. Rent is reasonable.

This is a noisy area with a lot of foot and car traffic. The Richmond tends to be isolated from the rest of the city as public transportation isn't great there. A car is a must. The area is pretty foggy and cold.

This is not a good place to live, but it is the home of the City of Justice and Police Department. It is close to the on-ramp to 280 for easy commuting out of the city and also close to the Civic Center Bart for transportation within the city. There are some upscale restaurants in between warehouses and bail bonds.

This is a vacant and sterile area chock full of warehouses and bail bonds. The buildings lack character and there is a general dirty and cheap feel. There are very few people walking around, making it scary to walk alone especially at night.

This neighborhood is very clean and has character. It is close to UCSF, making it a nice place for students to live. There are a few parks within walking distance, including Grattan Park, Golden Gate Park, and Kezar Stadium. It is a quiet, residential area with a sense of community. The residents are primarily young professionals and UCSF students and staff. There are cute and quirky shops, cafes and restaurants in this Cole Valley neighborhood. It is a down-to-earth area with real people.

It can be a pain to get to other parts of the city using public transportation. The main shopping areas are still quite mellow, so it's not the most "happening" part of the city. The residents expect the neighborhood to be quiet after 11pm, and will call the police if you are being loud (even in your own building).

With close proximity to UCSF, 4th and Hugo is a great location for students. It is also only a block away from the fantastic Golden Gate Park. Access to the N-Judah is convenient. Street parking is easy and many apartments come with garage spaces. There is a great market at 3rd and Hugo with sandwiches and produce. Restaurants and cafes are plentiful on 9th Avenue as well. This is a pretty safe area.

This is a quiet neighborhood with minimal options for nightlife. If you are looking for an exciting place to live, this is not the right choice. It is very foggy and cold.

This location is great for UCSF students because of the proximity to the UCSF Mission Bay campus. There are a few neighborhood pubs that are excellent, including Connecticut Yankee and Thee Parkside. Anchor Steam Brewery is just a few blocks away, which is great for free tours. The area is sunny, residential and quiet. Access to Interstate 280 is convenient.

There aren't a ton of restaurants or nightlife in the local area. You can get highway and baseball traffic when there are games at AT&T park. There is a recycling depot nearby where people haul scrap metal. There aren't a lot of people around after dark. The area is residential but still has an industrial feel.

This corner is located near many of the fun Mission bars and restaurants. It is particularly close to Zeitgeist, which has an outdoor beer garden, and Pauline’s and Little Star, fantastic pizza restaurants. This is a sunny part of town with plenty of diversity in the people. Housing is less expensive in this immediate neighborhood because of the proximity to the projects. Commuting is easy with an entrance to 101 just a few blocks away.

The area is very dirty and is home to many bums. Valencia Gardens, a low-income housing unit, was recently remodeled and is now up and running again. Because it is new it isn’t terrible to live near, but it still is the projects and introduces crime. Street parking can be difficult in this area, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when people are out for the nightlife.

Harrison & 5th Street is walking distance from Downtown San Francisco, the main action of everything and anything. Rent is cheapest down 5th Street. Also, roommates are very easy to find - this is a popular place to live! The shopping is great, and there are always people around with interesting stories.

Once the sun goes down, the creepers come out. If you are a girl walking alone, be on guard. The homeless prefer scamming on young women than anything else. But this can often come with them trying to grab you or talking your ear off. Closer to the over pass, bathrooms become street corners and large walls become prone to the ugly kind of graffiti.

Close to lots of bars and shops, lots of interesting people walking around if you like to people watch. Amoeba is right next door and Golden Gate park is only a few feet away.

There's lots of bar noise, especially on the weekends. If you walk 10 feet, someone will ask you for change/food/a cigarette/to kick them in the face for a dollar. Not very clean, people tend to leave their trash everywhere and anywhere.

This intersection is pretty close to the N-Judah (rail line), Golden Gate Park and Buena Vista Park, Haight-Ashbury, and many local markets and stores, etc. The neighborhood is quite clean and the back of my house affords a great view of the hills of SF. This spot is smack dab in the middle of several cafes and restaurants, so you feel tucked into the community. The neighbors around are mostly students (UCSF) or families, so despite the occasional rowdy party near by, the noise level is low.

Parking here can be really difficult, especially during meal times. Even if you have a parking permit, it will not do you much good if you can't find a place to park. Also, even during the summer, it can still be really cold and foggy (but that's typical of SF, minus the Mission), which is a shame since the area demands a nice view due to its advantageous coordinates. For people who frequent the BART, this place is not that close--you'd have to trek through a hill and a few miles before getting to 16th St. Mission BART Station.

Market St & 6th Street is a good place to grab a quick meal or shop for groceries but not a good place to live.

This intersection is rife with homeless people, drug dealers, and human feces. Not all of the homeless people are dangerous, but many of them seem aggressive and will get in your face, especially if you're a young woman walking by yourself.

Kearny & Union is a quiet, safe, and clean place for young people to live. Depending on the orientation of your apartment, you might wake up to a beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay. This intersection is a few blocks away from the North Beach nightlife, where bars, nightclubs, and strip clubs abound. Trader Joe's and Safeway are walking distance away, as are Chinatown, a bevy of clothes boutiques and cafes, and, of course, Coit Tower. People of all ages live here.

Since this place is located on a hill, it is one of the first places in SF to get windy. If you don't have a car and don't like walking up very steep hills, don't live here. If you do have a car, street parking is usually quite difficult to find. Sometimes you'll get lucky, but sometimes you will have to spend 20 minutes searching for a tiny parking spot.

The Market & 8th Street intersection is very conveniently located for those who rely on public transportation. BART and Muni trains and buses stop frequently at this location. Also, this is a busy intersection; you can easily catch a cab if you don't feel like taking the bus. The Civic Center Plaza is across the street and you're a short walk away from the SF Symphony, SF Opera, SF Public Library, and Asian Art Museum.

Corner stores and cheap restaurants abound in this area. You'll have no trouble buying a sandwich or aspirin. There's also a Walgreens a block away.

This place of chock full of homeless people, especially during the day. They're harmless (in the year that I've lived here, I have not been assaulted or physically threatened), but they are liable to harass passerby, especially young women, so if you have little patience with verbal harassment, avoid this area.

I love Stanyan/Haight Street during the day. Golden Gate Park is a wonderland for all ages, with art classes, museums, playgrounds, hikes and fields to explore. The shops are quirky (vintage, novelty, etc.) and suitable to both tourists and residents. There are great bars and music happenings all around.

Can be overrun with tourists and parking is usually difficult. Also, at night I sometimes feel unsafe in the neighborhood - I was waiting for the bus at the end of Haight Street on a Thursday night I saw no other women on the street (did they know something I did not know?!). Everyone on the street was a vagabond who made me feel uneasy. Housing in this area seems overpriced for its low safety level.

Hayes Valley is SUPER quaint, and a great neighborhood to get quality food (try La Boulange or Supperkuchen) and to go window shopping. The large contingency of young professionals living around here means that there are lots of trendy boutiques and yoga studios. This is the perfect place to go on a stroll with your honey (canine or otherwise), and I find that it has more character than some of the other upscale neighborhoods in SF. Commuting via bus or bicycle is pretty easy from here.

Not a lot of parking, and kind of expensive--you don't really get the bang for your buck in terms of real-estate (rooms run small around here). Few nightlife options.

South Van Ness & 18th Street is located near the lively Mission nightlife. In this ethnically-diverse area, you can enjoy a wide range of tasty and inexpensive dining options. The weather is nice and sunny and Dolores Park is only a few blocks away. Housing is relatively affordable and there is easy access to highways for commuting.

This isn’t the cleanest or safest part of the city. There are many bums living on the streets and crime is prevalent. During my time living here, I saw car break-ins, prostitution, and petty crime. This corner is set aside a few blocks from the major pedestrian traffic making it little troubling to walk alone at night. Street parking can also be difficult.

I love my hood! I live at Folsom and 15th and which is essentially the grocery shopping nexus of the city--Rainbow Grocery and Foods Co. are almost across the street, Safeway (16th and Potrero) is less than a ten minute walk away, and Trader Joe's (plus Bed Bath & Beyond, CostCo) are only 0.6 miles!
Bart, Caltrain & the freeway are all easily accessible, as is all the Mission action (I regularly walk to Dolores Park and Valencia St.)
Fav joints nearby: Homestead Bar, Stable Café and Chile Lindo Empanadas

The noise: there's a lumberyard on Folsom so there are trucks coming by at all times of day, and there are homeless neighbors who can get loud but are rarely confrontational. I've heard many a flamboyant argument coming out of Truck, the bar that's a few doors down.
Also, There aren't enough affordable food choices in the immediate vicinity.

I lived at the corner of 14th and Dolores for two years. One of the benefits of this location is the proximity to the Church and Market Street Safeway, endless amounts of great restaurants and bars in the Mission, Lower Haight and Castro districts, and the popular Dolores Park. This part of the city is bright and sunny and the area is clean in comparison to other areas of the Mission District. Finally, there is easy access to HWY 101 for commuting in and out of the city. Many of the residents in the immediate neighborhood have lived here for years and there is a sense of community and pride. As such, the neighbors look out for each other and make a real effort to keep the area safe and clean. For example, one local resident goes around each day to paint over any new graffiti on building walls.

Street parking can be difficult in this neighborhood, especially in the evenings. The Mission is a popular spot for homeless people. For the most part this is not a safety concern, though car break-ins are prevalent. This corner is set back a couple of streets from the main nightlife venues, but there still is late-night street noise from people traveling by foot.

Union Square is a shopping paradise - if you like things on a large scale. If you are a designer Diva or gentleman, this is your mecca. Chanel, Gucci, Tiffany, Barney's, Saks, Cartier are just a few of the glitzy names you will discover here. Also, there is the legendary Gumps; the museum/dealer in beautiful wares. Aside from these BIG stores, some of the best highlights can be found on the many tiny alleyways.

This is a concrete jungle and very much like most downtowns of urban cities. With the exception of a few, the stores are the same ones you will find in New York, Chicago and Boston. People are dressed in suits and pressed for time, wearing an I love San Francisco sweater and a camera around their necks or homeless. There is virtually no street parking during the day and not a grocery store for miles. It is a ghost town at night.

Hayes Valley is a fantastic neighborhood to live in because there are tons of amazing restaurants and shops. Having Blue Bottle as your morning coffee spot and Absinthe as your neighborhood bar is reason alone to live here in my opinion. If you need more help spending your money, here are ten other ways: walk into #1 Gimme Shoes #2 Dish #3 Miette Patisserie #4 Dark Garden #5 Alla Prima #6 Lava 9 #7 Arlequin wines #8 True Sake #9 Flight 001 #10 Nancy Boy. If you can walk away without a shopping bag (or 10) then you are a far stronger human being than I. This is also dog and kid parent paradise. Every other person has one or both, they are all chic in their attire and there is a nearby park to walk them!

Really can't think of much if you have the money to afford the rent and play. If you are on a budget STAY AWAY because unless window shopping does it for you, you will only be making yourself unhappy.

I loved living on Shotwell and 25th. Rent was cheap and it was just a few blocks from the BART. This is a fantastic location if you do not have a car because everything is within walking distance. There are some awesome Mexican grocery stores and bakeries and two of my all-time favorite burrito joints - El Farolito and La Taqueria. El Farolito is open until 4am and there is a bar around the corner that opens at 6am. Like I said, perfect if you're young and adventurous.

Parking is HORRIBLE if you come home any time after 6pm. I constantly had to park ON the sidewalk and paid as much in parking tickets as rent. This is not a good place to own a car unless your place comes with a garage. In my two years of living here my car had its antenna chopped off, its mirror shattered twice and an endless number of kids who had fun jumping on all the car hoods in the wee hours of morning. The final straw was when I came downstairs to go to work and found my car was not in drivable condition because someone had plowed into its side (naturally leaving no note). It is also a rather dirty area and it is not uncommon to see a drunken man sleeping on the sidewalk. A note for ladies-unless you enjoy wolf whistles think twice about wearing a skirt and heels on your walk home!

A little busy, but very convenient. Lots of food and things to do.

The central sunset neighborhood is a gem of a place that is close o Golden Gate park, the beach and great restaurants and shops. It is also close to a few bars, which provide entertainment close to home on an night of the week. (Fo example, the Irish Pub has karaoke on Sunday nights.) It's also a very safe and friendly neighborhood with families, students, young people and all types of characters. Conveniently located close to the N, the 29 and the 28 bus lines that will take you almost anywhere in the city, the sunset district is a great place to live and hang out.

I lived in the Chinatown/ Nob Hill area for five months when I first came to the city. The neighborhood is super central, which makes it easy to get anywhere in the city. Unfortunately, that usually means walking up a couple of very steep hills to get anywhere. The neighborhood has some cute café’s and shops, and is close to the bars on Polk St. and in North Beach, but is surprisingly very quiet (with the exception of the Cable Cars!). It’s a crowded area, and if you have a need for open spaces or natural sunlight in your apartment, I’d opt for a different neighborhood.

In a city as diverse and eclectic as San Francisco, the Marina represents a homogeneity not typically seen in other neighborhoods. Meander down Chestnut St—the neighborhood’s main drag—and you can get a pretty accurate image of the neighborhood. Young mothers pushing strollers twenty-somethings ogling other twenty-somethings, and boutique after boutique to sate any shopoholic’s desire for $200 jeans. While the Marina is more “blah” than some of the other neighborhoods in the city, you won’t find a place safer to walk around in at night. It’s also bustling at all hours of the day, which begs the question: don’t any of the residents here have to go to work?

San Francisco is one of the densest cities in the United States, so getting some unfettered alone time can prove difficult. Luckily, there’s the Land’s End trail, which snakes its way around the perimeter of Lincoln Park. The trail hugs the coastline and will give any shutterbug enough scenic vistas to fill up an entire memory card. Easily accessible by Muni, the Land’s End trail is the easiest way to escape San Francisco without leaving the city limits.

Great views and near shopping and restaurants. Get a condo high in a tower.

I currently live on Fulton near 25th, and I love it because Golden Gate Park is basically my backyard. Right across the street from me is the disc golf course, which is very popular (and free of charge). It’s relatively residential out here: the closest place with bars, restaurants and shops is about half a mile away on Geary, but this area’s generally not too hilly so it’s easy getting around on foot or bike. And if you own a car, it’s actually fairly easy to find parking out here: there are often open spaces on the south (i.e., park) side of Fulton. If you don’t drive, there are buses right on the corner running east-west & north-south.

I lived at 9th Ave & Cabrillo from 2002-2009, and enjoyed it thoroughly. In this part of the Inner Richmond, you basically get the best of both worlds: it’s within easy walking distance of thriving social scenes on Geary & Clement Streets and Haight-Ashbury, but you can also relax in Golden Gate Park at your convenience. This area is also super-safe: the sidewalks are wide and well-lit, and in the seven years I lived there (often walking around in the middle of the night), I was never hassled even once. No, the IR isn’t particularly hip, but then again it does have a certain unpretentious charm.

The Outer Richmond is the only neighborhood in the City surrounded by nature on three sides – Golden Gate Park to the south, the Presidio and Land’s End to the north, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. So if you like hiking, biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, surfing, and other outdoor activities, then you’ll love the OR. It is also home to two of SF’s best independent movie theaters – the Four Star and the Balboa – which are both located near bars & restaurants where you can enjoy a drink or a meal before or after the show. There is one possible drawback to living in the OR worth mentioning: it’s right under the fog belt, so it is often less sunny than many other neighborhoods.

The Inner Richmond is a great neighborhood for those who like peace & quiet but also want access to SF’s cultural benefits. On one hand, the area is sandwiched between two of the world’s greatest urban parks – Golden Gate and the Presidio – where people can truly enjoy nature without leaving the City. On the other hand, the park is also home to the California Academy of Sciences & the De Young Fine Arts Museum, and there’s a semi-flourishing restaurant scene around Clement & Geary Streets for enjoy cheap ethnic/Asian food. Another advantage of the IR is it’s a generally safe area, so many families with kids move here.

I agree with most everyone else. This area is a bad area, not necessary life threatening, but it's dirty with lots of bums and vagabonds loitering at all times.

Great roof-top deck view if you can find an apartment with a deck. Most apartments have a roof that you can get access to. The very real downside is that the cable car is a noisy.

Got my car broken into twice right here. Once it was locked in a private garage, the other time parked on the street.

30-something live in this area. Nice restaurants and quiet/mellow mood.

Just out of college, I worked for the SF Mayor's Office as an unpaid intern. After a few months I was offered a short-term (but paid!) gig working for the City on a project attempting to document the environmental causes of chronic crime. Bad lighting in rough areas was a big factor. At any rate, I had to photograph Hunter's Point public housing area one morning. I was chased out of the neighborhood, and eventually had to be escorted by police to photograph specific intersections with regular high crime. Based on my experiences, I would not suggest living in Hunter's Point, (or
SF public housing in general, for that matter).

There's really so so much to do here but right at the corner of 16th and mission things are pretty sketchy, and the people who go out on 16th street are usually younger / rowdier at night, especially on weekends.

If you go over to 16th and valencia, its not as bad. the area is changing with lots of shops and restaurants (4 barrel coffee!) and there are some nicer places.

This area is considered Lower Haight/Hayes Valley. The block seems a bit sketchy at first - the projects are up the street and there is some type of transitional housing at the corner of Haight and Laguna, but I have never had any issues with safety (knock on wood!). While there are bums that may wander the street occasionally, that is generally par for the course living anywhere on Haight.

This spot is great because it is easy to walk to great restaurants and bars on Haight Street and Hayes Street within a few blocks. Downtown is easily accessed by bus (about 15 - 20 minutes to get to Union Square) and there is a bus line (6 and 71) that picks up right at the corner of Haight and Buchanan and Haight and Laguna. The Castro is just up Market in the other direction and is about a 15-20 minute walk. The Mission is close by as well, which can be easily accessed using the 22 on Fillmore or a 15 minute walk. It is difficult to get to North Beach/Fisherman's Wharf from here using public transportation, but it is not too expensive of a cab ride.

This area is reasonably priced and great value for your money due to the close proximity of all of the cool city spots. Definitely a great place to live.

I love my corner of Sacramento and Laguna. Pac Heights in general is a great neighborhood-- pristine, safe, clean, and can be expensive (but worth the premium). However, you can also find very reasonable rents as well. I got lucky with a rent controlled place and my huge, beautiful 3BR apt's monthly rent is $2800/m (hard to beat). The neighborhood is rather yuppy. Lots of young professionals and some young families.
My apt faces Lafayette Park-- perfect if you have a dog, want a place to sunbathe and read, run, or just relax. There's also a small playground for kids, a bbq grill, and picnic tables. On the opposite side of the park, there are 2 tennis courts. The park is an open space, completely safe, and pristine. You can also see the ocean from the park-- great sunset views.

It's also a few blocks away from Fillmore St. which is full of great restaurants, brunch spots, boutiques, shops, salons, yoga studio, spas, 2 movie theaters, grocery store, and Harry's Pub. Everything you'd ever need is in walking distance.

It's central to everything. If you commute to the financial district, it's super convenient because the California 1 runs on Sacramento and picks you up at the cross street. The California 1BX, the express muni, picks you up at Sacramento and Fillmore. Nightlife is also walking distance or a short cab ride away. There's Divisadero St. to the south east, Polk St. to the west, Marina to the North, and Japantown to the south.
I love this neighborhood.

I lived at 1125 Filbert for 3 years. It's an awesome spot. Great views, near some nice restaurants, and walkable to upper Polk which is getting much more lively for nightlight.

The downsides are that it's not very walkable, doesn't have a great neighborhood vibe, and is expensive. There also lacks the culture and great ethic food that other areas can offer.

Love Cole Valley. A great hidden gem of a neighborhood a short walk up the hill from the Haight. This was my first place in SF. A tad bit expensive for me then (unpaid intern + waiting tables) but the neighborhood is still one of my favorites. Great little restaurants, shops, located in the heart of the city and close to many different Muni and bus lines. I would move back in a second.

I lived on Filbert and Hyde for a year. It was a good area with great views. Many mornings I would head up to my roof with coffee to enjoy the Golden Gate, looking out past the Marina. Sometimes the fog would hang for hours on the Bridge and the lush Presidio, and then for no reason at all other than a bit of wind, push its way up to the crest of my hill and wrap the neighborhood up in a cool, quiet shroud, blocking out all the views and almost all noise. The only sound left was the clanging of bells that accompany an engineless train. The weighty sound the sidewalk feels when a full-loaded trolly coasts down the hill.

This area is fun with lots of young people and great bars and coffee shops nearby. Its near the 24th street bart station, which is much nicer than the 16th street bart.

The area West of Valencia is pretty nice, mainly old, but well-kept Victorians. Close to Dolores Park, but also right in the zone for the good stuff on Valencia like Ritual Roasters, Valencia Wholefoods etc.

This area is considered lower Tenderloin. I almost lived here when I first moved to the city. However, after walking around the area, I decided it was unsafe (especially at night). Also, it's not desirable to live near a major intersection here because of noise (cable cars, buses, etc). Though on the upside, the area has cheap ethic eats, and some solid bars, but you can always commute here easily without having to deal with the density of bums outside your house.

I lived at Bay and Hyde for nearly 3 years and I thought it was a fantastic location. The area is itself is close to a lot of different spots in SF including Polk Street, North Beach and the Marina, while also being right around the corner from Ghiradelli Square and the waterfront. The neighborhood is very safe and if you have a car there is amazingly a fair amount of street parking. It can get a bit crowded with tourists the closer you get to Fisherman's Wharf, but it's really not too bad once you get used to them. Transportation is good with a number of bus options as well as the cable car, which runs up Hyde toward Union Square. The noisiness of the area depends on where you apartment is. Bay Street can get a little loud so be prepared for traffic noise in the background. Overall though, I really enjoyed living there.

Nob Hill's a fantastic neighborhood that pretty much has it all: great restaurants, quaint coffee shops and ample transportation. For the carless person who works at home, like me, it's a dream. The downsides: trolleys and buses are loud until about midnight, no nearby parks. That said, I love the proximity to everything. Admittedly, it feels like an extension of China Town at times w/all the Chinese signage, but it's not a big deal. Plus, it's a short walk to North Beach or China Town, and it's easy to run down to the Marina. I do a 9 mile loop to Fort Point (at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge) and back that's breathtaking. Great motivation.

Haight-Ashbury isn't as gritty or scary as people make it out to be. Just one street down on Page, the atmosphere is very residential with gorgeous old Victorian houses, lush trees and none of the riff raff that plagues Haight St during the day. Sure, the street gets occasional crazies, but it's relatively quiet overall. Parking is also abundant and doesn't require a permit. Best of all, it's sandwiched between three parks: GG/Panhandle, Buena Vista and Duboce (all great for dog-owners). Divisadero has great bars and restaurants, as does Haight. Buena Vista has some of the best views in the city, and lower Haight has an active night life. I used to run around all the parks, and you can easily run 5 miles to the beach through Golden Gate Park w/o ever stopping for a light. For being active outdoors, there's no better place in the city. However, the only nearby gyms are in the Castro, and they're supposedly used as a pick-up spot which could get old.

North Beach is nice but takes 20+ minutes to get on the 101 if you're driving.

There's really so so much to do here but right at the corner of 16th and mission things are pretty sketchy, and the people who go out on 16th street are usually younger / rowdier at night, especially on weekends

If you can handle being far off, 19th and Judah is actually a pretty happening spot — close to the park, lots of restaurants and bars, and right on the N-Judah line back to civilization

All you'll get here is overpriced food and noisy tourists - live a few blocks in to avoid them!

South Park is a really cute spot — expensive though! It's right next to the Caltrain which makes commute nice, and has some bars and restaurants within a block or two so it doesn't feel as desolate a the rest of SOMA

NoPa is a great area - you can relax in the Panhandle to the south and go running GGP anytime. There's a convenient Lucky supermarket and delicious Papalote restaurant at Fulton & Masonic. The area is very clean and decently priced. Oh yeah, the Haight is a few blocks away for great bars like Deluxe.

6th and mission is a terrible place to live. It's crime ridden, bums and drug deals going down in this location. It's literally one of the worst intersections in San Francisco.