<p>My sister and brother-in-law who are in their 50’s have lived in the Mission district for several years and really like that area. They live in a second floor unit of two in their building (the other unit is occupied by a couple that’s slightly older) and have a wonderful view north of downtown SF. They are close to lots of good restaurants and it’s not too hard to get around from where they live, at least not any more so than anywhere else in SF. There is also easy access from there straight down Dolores to get to the 101. The biggest problem they have is parking. They have two cars and only one parking space in their building, so it’s sometimes a struggle for one of them to find a space that’s less than two or three blocks away. When I’ve visited them, it sometimes takes a good half an hour to find a space. Just something worth considering.</p>
<p>Cow Hollow/Pacific Heights!</p>
<p>If it was me, I would consider the weather. Richmond is going to be the foggiest. Potrero Hill and Mission will be warmer and sunnier. Cole Valley is often out of the fog that creeps over the Sunset. It seems to be the place where it starts to burn off.</p>
<p>Son lives in Glen Park. Many of his neighbors are “older” . He loves it.</p>
<p>Thanks again, everyone, for giving me great things to consider, especially the parking situation. The fog factor is also interesting to think about. Having lived in Ithaca, New York, which is in an inverted climactic bowl which means very little sunshine in the summer and in Chicago most of my life with its winters, I like to think weather does not affect me too much – but H teases me that whenever I am in SF, I seem to luck into great weather and haven’t really experienced what it can be like when it is foggy day in, day out.
Have heard mixed things about Potrero and especially about whether the crime is getting better or worse?
I am actually going out there next week and plan to spend all my time exploring the neighborhoods.</p>
<p>I certainly love the setting of the Marina district – I guess I haven’t mentioned it much because of H’s commuting needs but also because preliminary looks at craigslist does not seem to bring up many apartments which are dog-friendly – which is certainly surprising considering the number of pooches frolicking (“frolicing”?) at Crissy Field!</p>
<p>Dbwes, yeah… The transportation issues make living in the Marina difficult.</p>
<p>I want a trip report after your exploration. :)</p>
<p>An area I like is the where Cow Hollow/pacific heights and Russian Hill converge. I am thinking Franklin and Valerio/green and west. You can walk to Polk, Union, Chestnut, Fort Mason, Marina Green and depending on your level of fitness the Presidio, North Beach, Marina Green, GG Bridge, Fishermans wharf. Lafayette Park is up a big hill but still walkable. Interesting mix of homes. Close to a public library.
Dog friendly makes apartment hunting harder but doable. My D’s building I think every apartment has a dog. </p>
<p>dbwes…timely article for you…
<a href=“Pet owners struggle as fewer S.F. landlords allow dogs, cats”>http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Pet-owners-struggle-as-fewer-S-F-landlords-allow-5603191.php</a></p>
<p>Thank you, gosmom – I saw this :(</p>
<p>I know you’re not looking in North Hollywood, but this article (a D’s friend posted this story to her FB wall) shows there are pet-loving landlords out there.</p>
<p><a href=“No pet, no apartment at North Hollywood complex – Daily News”>http://www.dailynews.com/lifestyle/20140220/no-pet-no-apartment-at-north-hollywood-complex</a></p>
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<p>My husband and I were fortunate to trade our suburban home in the Valley for a boutique highrise condo in the Yerba Buena (aka SOMA/South Beach) neighborhood in 2010. We are equidistant to ATT Park and Union Square, a brisk 15-minute walk. Target, Whole Foods, Cole’s Hardware, Safeway, my doctor, hairdresser, gym, church, restaurants of all kinds and prices, museums including SFMOMA (after the renovation is over) and Yerba Buena Park with lots of free art and performances most of the year… all within a mile radius. Easy access to public trans, and also easy to access freeways when driving a car. Best-kept secret is that this is one of the sunniest places in the City. It’s newer, and was considered seedy until the ballpark was built. So even long-time SF residents don’t appreciate how this part of the city has changed. Most say “SOMA doesn’t have a neighborhood feel” but they’re wrong! I’ve got my local bar, tailor, shoe repair guy, bottle shop… they love the locals! My daughters think it’s expensive and “mature” for the younger set (still in their twenties). It’s a little quiet on the weekends… in fact we wish more of the restaurants that cater to office workers would stay open on weekends. Never imagined we would live in a highrise, but turns out we love it here!</p>
<p>Thanks so much, msginac. If things get serious with moving, I may be PMing you!</p>
<p>And teriwtt, what a great story!</p>
<p>Good maps are helpful</p>
<p><a href=“http://judgmentalmaps.com/post/83644463249/sanfrancisco”>http://judgmentalmaps.com/post/83644463249/sanfrancisco</a></p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Good one, xiggi! But the Seattle map is off - UW students got misplaced. :)</p>
<p>:) On a semi-serious note, following Karl the Fog is not a bad idea for someone looking at moving here. </p>
<p><a href=“https://twitter.com/KarlTheFog”>https://twitter.com/KarlTheFog</a></p>
<p>I think the most valuable info on the map is the very small print “secret route to the GG Bridge” which when reversed is an equally valuable secret route to 280 and points south that avoids the hell that is 19th Avenue.</p>
<p>Bernal Heights has changed a lot! I used to live there and spent the last 10 days housesitting for friends in the old neighborhood. It has had a huge influx tech folks with young families, some people grumble but I loved the changes. The top of Bernal hill is one of the only leash free dog walking parks in the city, with views that won’t quit. Good restaurants and stores on Cortland and Mission within easy walking distance, easy access to public transport, on-street parking still possible, and it’s sunnier then many other neighborhoods. Bernal gets my vote.</p>
<p>Where is our report op?</p>