For inexpensive, consider Big Lots. There is one on Mission St in SF.
There’s also a Costco right there. If Levitz is still in business (by SFO) then they have great prices and deliver.
Levitz…that’s a familiar name. Alas, they ceased operation as of 2008.
Ikea delivers for around $99. Make a list and buy everything for one delivery. Or look at craigslist and see if he can get used Ikea furniture, already assembled.
In large cities such as SF, NYC and Chicago, young people are constantly moving in and out so one can buy used gently used Ikea furniture for very reasonable prices.
My D found a used furniture store up in Corte Matera near her aunt. Her uncle had a truck so they picked it up. My H and D carried it all up three flights of stairs. They had a wide price range of items. she also found some used pieces at 2nd hand stores the city.
Check Amazon and Target (night stand, dressers). Our DS got his bed and frame on Amazon. Saw it for the first time last night and it looks very nice and DS says the mattress is very comfortable. Assembly required.
Rooms to go comes assembled, and still reasonably priced is Macy’s. HOmeGoods is good for accessories.
You can also order furniture on overstock.com. My S bought their guestroom bed and frame from them.
wayfair.com can have great deals, with free shipping over $49. My neighbor bought a really nice looking bed for uner $250
Just helped my son find a dresser at a vintage shop on Valencia, in the Mission, called Stuff. It cost about the same as one of the better ikea dressers but it’s solid walnut, really sturdy, and a cool midcentury piece. Plus, he could probably put it in a consignment shop & get back at least half his cost, if he moves back east after grad school.
Good to know. I will give my son the name of the store. He’s moving out there this week.
Valencia has great stores!! Did you go into the Pirate store??
@jym626 didn’t see Pirate but went into a few other stores that seemed worthwhile, like Harrington Galleries. There was also a thrift store that had a few good dressers but unfortunately, they were already sold.
It was just my third trip out to San Francisco, and a blast to shop vintage. Great, memorable days with my son. I’m going back out in another week on our way to Kauai. Looking forward to learning, exploring this city over the next several years as my son pursues his phd at UCSF. Already found my favorite cappuccino at Cafe Greco on Columbus and great Thai: Basil Canteen.
@RenaissanceMom - my D lived in SF for two years and I loved going to visit. I miss it.
@mom60 well, all I know right now is that I’m gonna miss my son like crazy. He graduated college 2 years ago and moved back to work in NYC. We didn’t see him much while he was in college. He spent summers there to work in a lab. But now that we’ve gotten to know him as an adult, and spent enjoyable time w him the last 2 years, it’s gonna be hard to see him fly off to the west coast. But it’s his time to move on and he loved the profs at UCSF most of all. It’s the right move.
@RenaissanceMom I feel your pain. DS did not spend any summers at home during college but, with the exception of last summer, was at a drivable distance. It was a pleasure having him home since graduation in May and we took a memorable family trip to Australia. I agree that this is the right move for him but it’s killing me. DH and I will be visiting him for a few days at the end of the month. After that, who knows? People keep asking us if we are going to move to SF. I think that’s a) premature- who knows if he’ll stay there and b) not for us- we are lifelong NYers.
It’s a challenge when our kids move away and build new lives for themselves, even tho it’s the exactly right thing for them to do. We have a S in Arlington, VA and D in LA, CA. We are thrilled for them but do hope they will someday resettle in HI. Time will tell, but in the meantime we are happy they visit HI at least once/year and we generally see them at least another trip or more during the year as well.
Yup, I’m hoping that one day my son will be back on the East Coast. Would be lovely if he returns to NYC, but I won’t be that greedy 
anywhere in driving distance would be nice.
DS’ landlord wants to do a walk through of their newly renovated apartment before turning over the keys to them. These are the items I thought of for DS to check;
*light switches and electrical outlets
*flush toilets
*turn on faucets in sinks and tubs
*stovetop, oven and refrigerator working
*windows close and lock (2nd floor apartment)
*document any cracks/chips in walls, floors, countertop, backsplash
Anything else I’m not thinking of? Thanks!
@RenaissanceMom http://826valencia.org/store/ The pirate shop… if your son needs a sunken chest or eyepatch.
Check floors and carpets for gouges, burns or stains–my kids have gotten dinged even when the damage was pre-existing. Take photos of current condition of anything that may be questioned at move out.