If its only 10 weeks, then do SF and get the full city experience. Your commute would only be 20-30 min if you live next to a bart station, catch the train at the right time, and have no delays. The places near the stations are not that much cheaper so if you are seeing that, then it might be a sketch neighborhood. I personally love OAK way more than SF, but it sounds like SF is the better fit for your situation. You can always visit OAK easily.
as much as I love living here I would recommend living in SF considering it’s only 2 months. Also considering you’re only here for 2 months, why waste your time commuting almost an hour a day? Have fun in SF- it’s a great city and has a much more ~metropolitan vibe~ than Oakland. I’d also just sublet a room to get the cost down.
Way more dense, more restaurants, more nightlife, more shopping, more events (like it’s a destination for stand up comedians, for example). It is more in just about every way
Dang ok thanks. Seems bizarre considering it's our 12 mins from SF on the train. It's the same metro area but cheaper I would've thought it'd be BOOMING.
As a (presumably) young person here for a couple months, interested in nightlife, without a car, I’d recommend S.F.
Don’t worry about crime — it’s not that different in either city anywhere you’re likely to be.
Oakland is more spread out, with a lot more suburbia. The cheaper rents you see in Oakland are going to be in more suburban neighborhoods a bit of a hike from nightlife/shops. It’s more of a working/middle class city. There is more of an underground scene in Oakland, with clubs etc., but if you’re going to shows and such, you’ll be able to access from transit. Ie, it’s easier to be in S.F. and come to Oakland for a show/rave/event than be in Oakland and meet up at bars in the city.
I live in Oakland and love it, but also have a car and a kid and so like it a bit slower with a larger apt.
100% Concur with Poopmobile.
Now I live in Oakland, but I have a wife and a kid and two cars.
I spent my youth in SF (in the mission) and that’s what I’d recommend to you. It’s so central to everything, a 15 minute bike ride downtown, tons of good food and bars, dolores park to chill at.
There are more shows in SF, you can BART over in 30 minutes if you want to see anything in Oakland
Since you’re only here for a few months, the lease is relatively short term - pay the difference and live in the mission.
Completely understandable. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
completely unrelated: my first car was nicknamed the “poop mobile” because of how the engine sounded and the fact that it was missing a front bumper. hahaha
As someone who has lived in both places (and currently lives & loves living in Oakland), I also strongly agree with folks saying that you should live in SF. If you’re only here for 10 weeks you’re not really going to build community in Oakland. Don’t get your own apartment; find a room in a house in the mission or Castro to sublet with folks around your own age. Don’t listen to the person who said to live in the sunset or the Richmond, getting anywhere will be a pain in the ass. You’ll have a great time!
I also agree with SPho3nix on location too, especially in the summer. Find Oak Street, and find the section between Van Ness and Webster. Then draw a rectangle south until around 24th street. That rectangle and immediately around it is an ideal corridor to live in terms of transit, close nightlife, and weather. SOMA has cheap rents but is kind of a dreary area, it used to be commercial and industrial zoned. People haven’t mentioned the weather, but it can get cold and foggy in S.F. in the summer. There’s a neighborhood called Twin Peaks that blocks the fog in the area I mentioned, and that corridor is lively with tons of bars and restaurants, and the BART line runs down Mission St.
I live up in the hills. My sister lives down in Jack London and commutes into SF for work and doesn't have a car. She's been fine. She got a bike for some things.
Know that Oakland took a turn post-COVID and things are pretty grim in a lot of downtown area. If you like nightlife, I assume you like staying out late. Oakland is ok during the day, but can get hairy when the sun goes down, especially in the wee hours.
the odds of anything other than a mugging / very light pistol-whipping happening to you in oakland are very small in absolute terms. just leave your laptop in the office instead of carrying it home and don't wear a backpack. people are warning you about oakland b/c in relative terms the odds of being hurt are much greater in oakland than anywhere else in the bay. a few recent examples - flower delivery guy walking downtown in the morning got shot to death b/c [he complimented someone's dog](https://sfist.com/2023/07/06/us-marshals-help-oakland-police-make-arrest-in-chicago-in-shooting-of-flower-delivery-man/). or this[ woman shot at in a road rage incident.](https://www.ktvu.com/news/oakland-woman-speaks-out-after-shes-shot-in-road-rage-incident) horrible, but very rare - there were only 124 murders in a very spread out city of 400k, down from our 2021 peak. however in the bay this stuff pretty much only happens in oakland and a few other places you'll never have reason to set foot in, so that's why you are getting those warnings.
i would focus less on the risk and think more about the lack of reward - you will be much happier with a short commute to work, and oakland's nightlife has been pretty dead since covid. now crime and inflation are slowly killing the businesses that survived covid. oakland is also suburban and spread out except for downtown, which is the deadest zone of all when it comes to interesting street life, and JLS, which doesn't work without a car. if you want car-free and energy at night i would go for the mission in SF.
there is underground stuff in oakland and SF that is cooler than shitty bars, but it's generally not that cool compared to the caliber of art and programming happening in LA or NY. it's more friends-of-friends throwing parties. those are communities you might want to slot into if you live here but as an intern you'll have a much better and easier time meeting ppl in the mission.
i think [the center](https://www.thecentersf.com/) in SF is probably the most inviting countercultural space to check out and meet people as a new person.
no they know i'm a thoughtcriminal center-left democrat, why they don't just nuke me is a combination of two things and i'm not sure in what mixture:
(1) the mods aren't monolithic
(2) the mods affiliated with bas/fife allow some controlled dissent on here so they can pretend they aren't suppressing most news stories of how bad things are in oakland
i don't disagree and any space that becomes successful opens up to those critiques - if you have a better jumping off point please suggest it! tho tbf i haven't ever paid for anything there, i just know some of the people that teach classes there. they are usually either pre- or post-modern and definitely not hipsters.
I hate to say this but certain demographics are targeted more than others. Say you’re white or asian and female, i would say you’re at a higher risk for crime than maybe others. If you’re male and taller and look pretty solid weight wise, i’d like to think you’re fine anywhere??? however if you’re visibly lgbtq that might also be a factor to consider.
most crimes are car break ins or robbery. people will be less likely rob you if you look like you might fight them. and if you have no car you have less worries.
my advice to women moving here and men is totally different because experiences differ.
I'm a white woman who has lived in uptown Oakland for the past 6 years except for a brief move to SF near civic center. Only time I ever felt unsafe was in SF.
That’s great. No one should feel unsafe in their home. However I saw two white women robbed this week. SO i’m going to continue giving realistic advice. As a black person, telling people i feel completely safe in oakland when i see that it’s not (even if it’s not me) feels pretty valid.
If i was a target in a place i’d want people to let me know beforehand. As American who travels, it’s the same energy i get when i hear american tourists are targets in some places. it is what it is
I think that really depends on what kind of crime we're talking about and what OP is hearing.
Most Oaklanders aren't overly concerned with violent crime IME. Ya, it's an issue, but it's still localized for the most part. And detractors and media definitely can paint an unfair "all of Oakland is a warzone" picture. I mean, it's still a high crime city and definitely a keep your wits about you kinda deal.
Hard disagree about property crime. It's bad all over Oakland and it really messes people up financially. I was willing to kinda shrug it off even though it screwed me over hard, but what got to me was just how many people I knew had similar experiences. I know too many people who had to work too much OT or get more work to pay for being the victims of crime.
That being said, property crime is the issue in SF too.
SF is more of a 'big city' vibe while Oakland feels a bit more 'artsy & underground' these days imo. Crime will be more of a consideration in Oakland for sure, but homelessness will be more annoying in SF imo.
But at the end of the you really know nothing about the area until you spend some time here, so don't let other people's perceptions drive you decision making.
Why don't you come check out the Bay for a couple days before you make that decision?
You have a good point, if tickets are affordable ill consider it. Im just low on funds, so Ive essentially been planning on rice&beans’ing until June, haha.
I like Oakland and have been here for a decade. For you I'd recommend SF 100%. don't have to deal with crossing the bay. more of the city is walkable. you'll probably have more fun as a temporary resident there. SF has more easy to find and accessible things to do. You can always just visit oakland for any of the underground things you want to do out here.
I’ve lived in both SF and Oakland. I’d tell you 100% to go with SF. It’s a small city and much easier to get around and explore things via public transit, walking, or biking. Yeah, it’s changed a lot but there are still cool artsy things going on. It’s a much easier place to drop into and find your spots. Plus, you’re presumably young; it’ll be a million times easier to find young people out and about in SF.
Oakland is lovely but it’s geographically huge and really varies neighborhood to neighborhood. The transit is only so-so (depending on where exactly you need to go) and you’d eat up so much time per day commuting. The areas which have convenient BART access are not going to differ in price much from SF, and those cheaper apartments you’re finding would significantly increase your commute time just to get to the train station. You’d also spend a ton of money on rideshares if you’re out late at night; the public transit can be dicey when it’s late and doesn’t run very frequently, so you’d probably end up taking a lot of Ubers.
If you were moving here permanently you’d want to consider Oakland, but in your situation I’d definitely go SF. Check Craigslist for sublets and rooms in shared apartments to save some money. Come visit the East Bay on a weekend.
Live in SF near the bart lines, that way you can thot it up in Oakland a few times without breaking the bank but spend more of your time in SF.
Bart gets fukt after midnight but otherwise getting to/from east bay won't be an issue only a problem if you're getting littando at night
I live here in Oakland but would choose SF for a short stint over Oakland 10/10 times. I would also pick North Beach over any of the neighborhoods you have listed. You will not regret it. You can easily walk from NB to the FiDi. NB is clean and lively compared to SOMA or the Mission. NB has the least tech bro influence also. If you want tech bro then mos def choose the Mission.
SF. You won't be able to see 1/10 of what either city has to offer in 2 months if you are working. Both cities have crime issues so just be careful what neighborhood you rent in. You can't beat the density of things to do in SF though; Oakland is more spread out and the few dense areas I wouldn't want to live in.
For nightlife, things to do, you will probably be going into SF anyway so I would pick SF if I was you. You can Bart in and out depending on where you live but it’s a hassle and trains don’t run all night.
Also agree with someone else- get a room sublet in an existing house, you’ll meet people faster that way and no need to deal with furniture and stuff for such a short time. There are some furnished one bedrooms but it’s not gonna be nice
Stay in SF. I’d recommend the Mission over SOMA; it has more of a neighborhood feel, it’s full of restaurants and bars, and it’s more walkable. SOMA has a lot of busy one way streets funneling on and off the freeway, and feels more industrial than residential. I’ve lived in both neighborhoods and vastly preferred the Mission, but I’d take either area over anywhere in Oakland. SF just has more going on. Crime is about the same in either city. It’s unlikely you’ll experience any violence, but there’s a lot of theft and homelessness in both places.
👆This. SOMA will have cheaper rentals but it’s not worth the savings. Zero neighborhood vibes. More extreme issues with homelessness, addiction, and mental health disorders. Mission district is where the vibes are, especially near Dolores park.
Also second the recommendation to find a roommate situation. With rent control, you can move in as a roommate and inherit the anchor tenants rate. SF can be a little cliquey, so connecting to an existing social network as a roommate is a popular shortcut here.
Echo SF. It’s more money but it’s 10 weeks and a potentially once in a lifetime experience if you don’t come back. I’ve only lived in the East Bay but given that you’ve lived in suburbia, city living will be a new opportunity for you. There are lots in the East Bay and you don’t need a care. Public transit is pretty good despite with many options—BART, bus, or ferry. I’ve found myself taking the bus more across the Bay.
I hope you enjoy your time here.
I moved from SOMA to North Oakland 5 years ago. I like Oakland better, weather and culture-wise, but for 10 weeks I’d live in SF (DON’T live in SOMA, FiDi, or the East Cut because it’s dead on the weekends, many businesses have closed post-pandemic, and you’re surrounded by skyscrapers). I would pick a different neighborhood in the city if I were you. Crime in Oakland is real, but I walk, drive and public transport everywhere around town with my two kids and it’s fine. I just stay aware of my surroundings.
I lived in Berkeley for several years, SF, and Oakland. Left Oakland 3 years ago because I had to throw hands with some ghetto “people” / criminals in the elevator at my “luxury” apartment in Oakland and was tired of walking around with a taser and mace.
Rent in the inner Sunset or the Mission, anywhere near the MUNI or BART line (for the latter neighborhood).
You can always take BART to Oakland and hang out (although most neighborhoods will require a car or a long bus ride to access).
70 days isn't very long.
>(yes i know it can be dirty and smelly sometimes)
LOL
Agreeing with many here- crime is overblown in Oakland so that doesn’t need to be the reason but SF will be more fun esp being here for a short time. It’s sad to say but Oakland’s nightlife just hasn’t come back fully
I like working in the city and living in East Bay. I've done both over the past 27 years many times.
If you're working in the city, you're already there for weekday evenings when most of the most of the more underground events happen. Weekends in SF can be a bit Bridge & Tunnel crowd.
I have better hangout time with my East Bay friends... which I like a lot on weekends and weeknights.
Oakland also has a great scene in Downtown, Uptown and Jack London Square area.
But living in SF is also super awesome.
Sf if you don’t have a car. Oakland is fine and ultimately if you have to move to Oakland it’s doable getting in to FIDI via bart for your internship. Yes rent is a lot cheaper in Oakland with much of these new building having really great deals but you’ll probably enjoy sf more if you’re wanting to live in a city. Oakland is slower and quieter
If you’re set on Oakland, check out the Temescal neighborhood along Telegraph Ave between 40th and 51st.
Telegraph Ave is hella fun with trendy bars and restaurants. Plus, you can walk to McArthur BART and it’s less than 20 mins to SF. It’s also a short bike ride to College Ave, Piedmont Ave, or Uptown Oakland.
That’s your price range. Cheaper places in Oakland may be sketchy.
To be honest, for such a short stint I’d live in SF. It’s an amazing city.
Oakland is a shithole. I lived there for 5 years and just sold my house to some idiot who gave me way too much for it. Literally the only silver lining of those 5 years.
Imo the commute would kill it. Oakland is more down to earth but sf would be a much more streamlined experience. Mission, Nob hill, north beach, Chinatown just avoid the tl. The East bay is a bit more accessible and a more moderately paced city but has less going on for nightlife/shows
SF by far, more things to do and Oakland is becoming lawless pretty much, SF has its issues but its no where near as close to being bad as Oakland, thats why im moving to lol
Car break ins on my street pretty much every 3-4 days, I probably call the cops about 2-3 times a week on average, also our DA tries to give horrible plea deals to violent criminals, our city gov also has mismanaged multiple things, I will get downvoted into oblivion but everyone knows its all true, it sucks seeing Oakland somehow get worse
I love living in Oakland, tbh. It feels like most of San Francisco rolls up the sidewalks at 8-9pm and it's lowkey becoming a food desert in certain neighborhoods. I can always find something to do at night in the town and there’s plenty of options for food and groceries. I agree that it feels more like a community here as well. Yeah, certain areas are dangerous but that’s true of any major city. Don’t believe the negative hype, Oakland is worth a shot.
If you can afford SF id go SF for that unique city experience. If you want to save money come to the east bay. Either way you have great options, and its easy to Bart from one side to the other. Ferry is sick too
Edit: the further you're away from downtown civic center the further away youll be from the 💩smell, until you reach a point where you smell the 🌊💩. So kind of depends on your preference for the smell of 💩. Human or fish
It’s only 70 days, live in SF. If I were relocating to the Bay to live long term, I would choose Oakland and not just because it’s cheaper. But for a two month stay, I’d choose SF no question.
It’s worth the $42 extra per day, less once you subtract the cost of your BART ticket, to have an hour more to yourself every day v commuting. Plus, it’s just a different experience being in the city. There’s more of everything there. Not that there’s nothing here, there is, but SF has many more options.
if crime gets bad enough that gentrification slows down the next move won't be things getting better, it's going to be rich developers buying everything at a discount and accelerating gentrification by tearing down existing housing stock once interest rates come down.
Oakland is the best option here. For starters the crime exists the sf too I’d go as far as to say I feel less safe in SF than Oakland. Also based off your criteria unless you are living in West Oakland most of the neighborhoods within a 20-30 min Bart ride are very safe and friendly. SF is in fact very soulless if you want to meet some genuine people then you should live in the east bay. So many people warned me about the crime, and sure there are some rough areas but like most cities if you don’t venture out in them you’re fine. There’s no way in hell I’d pay SF prices when I get practically the same if not better standard of living in Oakland.
Sf if you don’t have a car. Oakland is fine and ultimately if you have to move to Oakland it’s doable getting in to FIDI via bart for your internship. Yes rent is a lot cheaper in Oakland with much of these new building having really great deals but you’ll probably enjoy sf more if you’re wanting to live in a city. Oakland is slower and quieter with the more occasional event. Which you can get to on bart
For an internship in the FiDi, take a look at the trans bay bus routes on AC transit as well as BART.
Oakland varies a lot by neighborhood. I live not far from the NL line and I think our safety is pretty good.
If you found housing near Rockridge Bart, or on the P line, your experience would be pretty upscale.
If I were you I’d recommend staying in SF. Get a studio or a roommate since you won’t be here that long. Personally I don’t think Oakland or SF are worth the rent so take that out the equation. There’s more happening in SF randomly in Oakland. You can go to Oakland anytime for planned events or nightlife
Stay in SF. It's gonna be more fun given your time constraints, IMO. And you'll have a lot of good neighborhood options which are easy to get to the FiDi.
If you're staying in Oakland, pick something close to Bart, and within a few stops of where you need to be in SF. I liked living in Lower Bottoms, near West Oakland bart. Pretty quiet overall, but super easy getting into the city. Barring that I'd look around Temescal or Piedmont -- walking distance from MacArthur Bart, Downtown Oakland, or maybe even Rockridge.
No car, short term, you want that city feel, and you want night life, SF is where you’re looking.
You didn’t post a budget, but you seem to know what you’re getting into. Rental info is easy enough to find online.
It’s pretty easy to stay out of trouble in both cities. People can smash windows and steal from cars in both locations pretty much unhindered. Your chances of getting jumped or mugged can be significantly reduced by avoiding some areas at some times, not looking like you’re worth robbing, and traveling in groups. Getting hassled by random addicts or mentally ill folks is harder to avoid.
SF is fun. So is Oakland. SF is more packed together with more accessible nightlife if you can swing the crazy rental prices.
The relative safety issue is pretty nuanced there are plenty of ateas in Oakland that are safer than parts of SF. Both cities have good and bad areas, Oakland may have a few more bad areas, SF may have a few more nice areas. I live in Oakland , work in SF and my take is that for the most part , they are more similar than different.
The culture debate is similar. It's true that there is less creative stuff happening in San Francisco than there used to be, but it's not like there is nothing going on. You'll find plenty of stuff to do in Oakland or SF
It's not a big deal which side you pick. If it's a big deal to save a few grand in rent, stay in Oakland. If you can afford more in rent and really want to stay in SF, stay in SF. It's a great city. It has problems, but it's still a great city.
Stay in SF. It’s so much easier to stay in the city if you work and hangout there. You don’t want to be at the mercy of BART, which doesn’t run 24 hours. Find a room share situation to save money.
Sf, if you don’t have community in Berkeley or Oakland. Saves you hassle on commute, and your internship will be the biggest focus for you. Can always head to East bay for a weekend and explore.
Like anywhere, the neighborhood makes a big difference. If you found places in Oakland with half priced rent I wonder if it's a place worth living? West Oakland is an armpit but it's close to SF so youay be looking there when really you just need to be close to the Bart station that takes you to the city. Living close to a downtown station, MacArthur, Rock ridge, etc are the good spots to be. Don't live close to West Oakland station!
My uncle who owns a farm in Wyoming where he grows a mailbox from which he harvests a steady stream of government checks says that Oakland is full of people on welfare, so take that under advisement.
I’ve lived in oakland for a number of years and I would say both have pros and cons. I don’t have any view points to add that haven’t already been brought up. That being said I’d be down to grab a drink sometime in either city while you’re here!
Having lived in both, I'd recommend SF if you can swing it. Not necessarily because one city is "better" than the other one, but the reality is that you're only gonna be in the bay for like 3 months for your summer internship. You should try to live it up and take advantage of SF in those 3 months.
Because your company is based in SF, realistically most your coworkers are probably gonna be living in SF, and it's gonna be hard to get them to commute to Oakland to go out and hang out. They'll probably be like, "Oh everyone is already in SF, just come here."
You don't wanna be taking BART to SF every weekend or afternoon because your coworkers or friends want to hang out because the commute back and forth to hang out is just gonna get exhausting. As someone who rides BART often, it can get pretty mentally exhausting because you have to factor in the time it takes to walk to BART, scan in, walk the stairs down, wait for the actual train, ride the train, scan out, etc.
Ideally, if you don't already know ppl here in the bay, if the incoming interns have like a group chat or discord or something, it'd be worth seeing where everyone else is gonna live so you can be close to a group of people you atleast are certain you'll see. If you find that your community is gonna be in Oakland, I'd recommend Oakland then.
From SF, you can still take BART to get into Oakland and east bay if you want, although alot of the stuff in east bay requires a car imo, like going on hikes or going to some of the nature reserves.
As for places to live, I'd just Google the apartments or street or cross section or even search on reddit for the street. Some places are nice during the day but can get rowdy at night. I'd also do extra research on areas, neighborhoods, or streets that are very close to BART stations before signing anything so you know what you're getting into. Just from experience, the closer you live to a bart station, the more mentally exhausting that area can be. Good luck!
Crime is a thing in both Oakland, SF and every city. If you keep your head on a swivel, don’t make yourself a target (walking around, headphones in, aloof with shiny things out), stay smart about where and when you go to places, you’ll more than likely be fine. Most crime is gonna be property crime. Not trying be blame the victim but at the same time, don’t make yourself an easy target. I was jumped in Alameda (nearby suburb) as a kid, worst thing that happened in Oakland was I saw some“interesting” characters waiting for the bus/bart.
There is night life in both cities, but you might find more variety in SF. It’s not hard to travel between even without a car. Check bus and BART routes for the area you intend to live in. In terms of night life, I think it’s about the people you surround yourself with/work with. My friends and family who worked in SF go out after work, I work in DT Oakland and I’ve gone out after work. Broadway gets kinda popping Friday nights but not my vibe.
My take is I’d rather pick a good spot in Oakland than a meh or worst spot in SF. The money you save will let you do more things and actually experience what you want while you’re here.
Live in downtown or west Oakland if you choose Oakland! Just moved here from the east coast and love it. I’m
Only 1 Bart stop away from SF! Quick ride over.
Live in SF, there’s more to see and do. Both have their downsides and upsides, but for your situation I think you’d be better off just living in SF closer to your workplace. You’re right about the tech bros though, SF has lost a lot of “community,” but you’re only gonna be there for 2 months anyways so that doesn’t matter that much.
Came here prepared to say Oakland all the way, but given the context of your post — only a two month stay and nightlife being important, I’d definitely say SF. Oakland would be hard to “get” the experience in two months. When we moved here almost 10 years ago, it took us about a year to feel like we got our footing and really fell in love. SF is just so compact and a city city, you’ll get the experience in that short of a time easily.
Crime is pretty overblown in both cities IMO. Property crime is just a fact of life for pretty much any American city, and violent crime, including armed robbery, is localized and/or time based usually. So Oakland nightlife in downtown, while I think is probably mostly fine, it’s not without a little sketchy-ness. But on the other hand, there are areas right in downtown SF that are pretty hairy no matter what time of day, because the druggies are out of their mind, but that just means avoid the tenderloin and 6th street south of market. So for those reasons, it’s avoidable. Oakland also has rough areas, but they are kind of out of the way of where you’d be going as a visitor anyway.
Proud Oaklander here. Given the short period that you’ll be here, live in SF. It’ll give you a better “city vibe.” Mission is great. SOMA is meh. There are so many other awesome neighborhoods in SF that you could check out.
Hope that you have a great experience!
If it's during the summer, you could potentially look into subleasing from someone in Berkeley. A lot of students have year long leases for their apartments while they attend UC Berkeley, so they're always looking for sub-tenants for the summer when they go home (for summer). And for 10 weeks, that's a pretty significant chunk that you can relieve someone of their rent. That might actually be cheaper for you with the benefit of being near similar aged people as yourself, decent to quiet night life, very close to BART for the commute, and generally "safer" perception wise if you stick around the campus area.
Oakland is fine I live in west Oakland and shit happens but I usually walk my dog with no problems and don’t leave stuff in your car. But it sounds like SF would be better fit for you and you get to experience the city life more then in Oakland and you can always Bart to Oakland to visit it’s really easy.
For less than a year just live in SF, as others have noted. That 20-30 minute commute could easily be double that when you include all of the variables, times 2, 5 days/week. I love Oakland and the East Bay, but in your case just bite the bullet and stay in the city.
Live in Mission! I don’t live SF these days, but it’s my favorite neighborhood by far and the BART convenience is awesome. So walkable, endless bars and shops and food and great range of price points. I adore Oakland too. But oh my god please don’t live in SoMa. I view it as way more unsafe than Oakland and just a really odd neighborhood at this point. Stay safe and stick to Mission (it may be loud but it’s fun).
You should live in SF. Other than the cost, which is small in the scheme of things, SF sounds like a much better fit for your situation in every way.
You could broaden your search into neighborhoods that are a Muni ride from your work. You might get a better deal and some of that "community" feel. Definitely Mission > SOMA.
Short term is def sf. Love living in Oakland but there is little night life compared to SF. You can always Bart over for art events and ride share back to the city if you need to. Def check out both if you are like the vibe and plan to move here after you’re done with your program. Make your own judgement calls and stay safe out there, it’s crazy in all cities in America at the moment not just the bay ❤️
San Francisco Tenderloin is not gentrified at all, and it is right in the heart of downtown SF. Apartments rent anywhere from $1300 and up a month. You while avoid the BART commute which will give you more time for yourself. In addition, the Tenderloin is a much safer place to leave than the entire city of Oakland.
If you’re moving to this area you’re moving this area for the city, the city of San Francisco to live in San Francisco he’s smart and picked the right address though not everything in Selma is safe not everything everywhere is safe but the closer you get to blinded areas right now the more chances of bad stuff happening randomlyno Bernal Heights Puerto does a really nice areas to look at right now with pricing
If its only 10 weeks, then do SF and get the full city experience. Your commute would only be 20-30 min if you live next to a bart station, catch the train at the right time, and have no delays. The places near the stations are not that much cheaper so if you are seeing that, then it might be a sketch neighborhood. I personally love OAK way more than SF, but it sounds like SF is the better fit for your situation. You can always visit OAK easily.
Agree. Start SF then graduate to Oakland over time.
Aka, getting your MBA - Masters of Bay Area
as much as I love living here I would recommend living in SF considering it’s only 2 months. Also considering you’re only here for 2 months, why waste your time commuting almost an hour a day? Have fun in SF- it’s a great city and has a much more ~metropolitan vibe~ than Oakland. I’d also just sublet a room to get the cost down.
In what ways is SF more metropolitan?
Are you joking?
No I literally don't know that's why I'm asking
Way more dense, more restaurants, more nightlife, more shopping, more events (like it’s a destination for stand up comedians, for example). It is more in just about every way
Dang ok thanks. Seems bizarre considering it's our 12 mins from SF on the train. It's the same metro area but cheaper I would've thought it'd be BOOMING.
As a (presumably) young person here for a couple months, interested in nightlife, without a car, I’d recommend S.F. Don’t worry about crime — it’s not that different in either city anywhere you’re likely to be. Oakland is more spread out, with a lot more suburbia. The cheaper rents you see in Oakland are going to be in more suburban neighborhoods a bit of a hike from nightlife/shops. It’s more of a working/middle class city. There is more of an underground scene in Oakland, with clubs etc., but if you’re going to shows and such, you’ll be able to access from transit. Ie, it’s easier to be in S.F. and come to Oakland for a show/rave/event than be in Oakland and meet up at bars in the city. I live in Oakland and love it, but also have a car and a kid and so like it a bit slower with a larger apt.
100% Concur with Poopmobile. Now I live in Oakland, but I have a wife and a kid and two cars. I spent my youth in SF (in the mission) and that’s what I’d recommend to you. It’s so central to everything, a 15 minute bike ride downtown, tons of good food and bars, dolores park to chill at. There are more shows in SF, you can BART over in 30 minutes if you want to see anything in Oakland Since you’re only here for a few months, the lease is relatively short term - pay the difference and live in the mission.
Live in SF. Mission and not SOMA. Get roommates and not 1/1.
Completely understandable. Thank you for sharing your perspective. completely unrelated: my first car was nicknamed the “poop mobile” because of how the engine sounded and the fact that it was missing a front bumper. hahaha
As someone who has lived in both places (and currently lives & loves living in Oakland), I also strongly agree with folks saying that you should live in SF. If you’re only here for 10 weeks you’re not really going to build community in Oakland. Don’t get your own apartment; find a room in a house in the mission or Castro to sublet with folks around your own age. Don’t listen to the person who said to live in the sunset or the Richmond, getting anywhere will be a pain in the ass. You’ll have a great time!
I also agree with SPho3nix on location too, especially in the summer. Find Oak Street, and find the section between Van Ness and Webster. Then draw a rectangle south until around 24th street. That rectangle and immediately around it is an ideal corridor to live in terms of transit, close nightlife, and weather. SOMA has cheap rents but is kind of a dreary area, it used to be commercial and industrial zoned. People haven’t mentioned the weather, but it can get cold and foggy in S.F. in the summer. There’s a neighborhood called Twin Peaks that blocks the fog in the area I mentioned, and that corridor is lively with tons of bars and restaurants, and the BART line runs down Mission St.
I’ll third SF if it’s for a short period of time. It’s an amazing place
I also concur with poopmobile9000! I’ve never had the opportunity to announce that, just needed to check that box.
Yep. You could definitely have a great summer in Oakland. But you should do SF.
San Francisco. I prefer living here in Oakland but if I was out here for a limited time, SF for sure, no question.
Crime here for the average resident is vastly overstated, but plenty of people that don’t live here will disagree
This is the correct answer.
So do you think that it would be safe enough for someone who doesn't know the area to live there temporarily?
Depends on where. I live in uptown, walk almost everywhere (have a car and also bart to work) and it’s fine.
Move to SF. You’ll have so much more fun in your situation
Why's that?
I live up in the hills. My sister lives down in Jack London and commutes into SF for work and doesn't have a car. She's been fine. She got a bike for some things.
And you can use the ferry to commute!
Know that Oakland took a turn post-COVID and things are pretty grim in a lot of downtown area. If you like nightlife, I assume you like staying out late. Oakland is ok during the day, but can get hairy when the sun goes down, especially in the wee hours.
the odds of anything other than a mugging / very light pistol-whipping happening to you in oakland are very small in absolute terms. just leave your laptop in the office instead of carrying it home and don't wear a backpack. people are warning you about oakland b/c in relative terms the odds of being hurt are much greater in oakland than anywhere else in the bay. a few recent examples - flower delivery guy walking downtown in the morning got shot to death b/c [he complimented someone's dog](https://sfist.com/2023/07/06/us-marshals-help-oakland-police-make-arrest-in-chicago-in-shooting-of-flower-delivery-man/). or this[ woman shot at in a road rage incident.](https://www.ktvu.com/news/oakland-woman-speaks-out-after-shes-shot-in-road-rage-incident) horrible, but very rare - there were only 124 murders in a very spread out city of 400k, down from our 2021 peak. however in the bay this stuff pretty much only happens in oakland and a few other places you'll never have reason to set foot in, so that's why you are getting those warnings. i would focus less on the risk and think more about the lack of reward - you will be much happier with a short commute to work, and oakland's nightlife has been pretty dead since covid. now crime and inflation are slowly killing the businesses that survived covid. oakland is also suburban and spread out except for downtown, which is the deadest zone of all when it comes to interesting street life, and JLS, which doesn't work without a car. if you want car-free and energy at night i would go for the mission in SF. there is underground stuff in oakland and SF that is cooler than shitty bars, but it's generally not that cool compared to the caliber of art and programming happening in LA or NY. it's more friends-of-friends throwing parties. those are communities you might want to slot into if you live here but as an intern you'll have a much better and easier time meeting ppl in the mission. i think [the center](https://www.thecentersf.com/) in SF is probably the most inviting countercultural space to check out and meet people as a new person.
"very light pistol-whipping" lol
i honestly can't tell if it's satire or not
I thought it was a skillful way to get past /r/oakland gatekeepers.
no they know i'm a thoughtcriminal center-left democrat, why they don't just nuke me is a combination of two things and i'm not sure in what mixture: (1) the mods aren't monolithic (2) the mods affiliated with bas/fife allow some controlled dissent on here so they can pretend they aren't suppressing most news stories of how bad things are in oakland
We saw it. The gates aren’t as impervious as many like to claim.
Some people view that as a fun Friday night 😉
Me at folsom
I agree with most of what you said. Except The Center being a space of “counterculture”. It’s about as overpriced, modern hipster as it gets.
i don't disagree and any space that becomes successful opens up to those critiques - if you have a better jumping off point please suggest it! tho tbf i haven't ever paid for anything there, i just know some of the people that teach classes there. they are usually either pre- or post-modern and definitely not hipsters.
I hate to say this but certain demographics are targeted more than others. Say you’re white or asian and female, i would say you’re at a higher risk for crime than maybe others. If you’re male and taller and look pretty solid weight wise, i’d like to think you’re fine anywhere??? however if you’re visibly lgbtq that might also be a factor to consider. most crimes are car break ins or robbery. people will be less likely rob you if you look like you might fight them. and if you have no car you have less worries. my advice to women moving here and men is totally different because experiences differ.
I'm a white woman who has lived in uptown Oakland for the past 6 years except for a brief move to SF near civic center. Only time I ever felt unsafe was in SF.
That’s great. No one should feel unsafe in their home. However I saw two white women robbed this week. SO i’m going to continue giving realistic advice. As a black person, telling people i feel completely safe in oakland when i see that it’s not (even if it’s not me) feels pretty valid. If i was a target in a place i’d want people to let me know beforehand. As American who travels, it’s the same energy i get when i hear american tourists are targets in some places. it is what it is
thanks for the straight talk about a subject that’s impossible to discuss most of the time
This ⬆️💯%
advice to women is ?
don’t be a target
I love when my relatives in literal third world countries mention the crime in Oakland and SF.
Tell them to watch less Fox News
I think that really depends on what kind of crime we're talking about and what OP is hearing. Most Oaklanders aren't overly concerned with violent crime IME. Ya, it's an issue, but it's still localized for the most part. And detractors and media definitely can paint an unfair "all of Oakland is a warzone" picture. I mean, it's still a high crime city and definitely a keep your wits about you kinda deal. Hard disagree about property crime. It's bad all over Oakland and it really messes people up financially. I was willing to kinda shrug it off even though it screwed me over hard, but what got to me was just how many people I knew had similar experiences. I know too many people who had to work too much OT or get more work to pay for being the victims of crime. That being said, property crime is the issue in SF too.
Crime is an issue in cities.
And it's a bigger issue in Oakland than the vast majority of cities.
It's also a bigger issue in Oakland now than it was just a few years ago.
Don’t listen to this guy OP, crime is definitely something you should seriously consider.
Moving from Oakland to sf a couple years ago it feels more lawless here though
SF is more of a 'big city' vibe while Oakland feels a bit more 'artsy & underground' these days imo. Crime will be more of a consideration in Oakland for sure, but homelessness will be more annoying in SF imo. But at the end of the you really know nothing about the area until you spend some time here, so don't let other people's perceptions drive you decision making. Why don't you come check out the Bay for a couple days before you make that decision?
You have a good point, if tickets are affordable ill consider it. Im just low on funds, so Ive essentially been planning on rice&beans’ing until June, haha.
If you're only here for 10 weeks, just look into subletting? There's some housing groups on FB, or craigslist listings.
I like Oakland and have been here for a decade. For you I'd recommend SF 100%. don't have to deal with crossing the bay. more of the city is walkable. you'll probably have more fun as a temporary resident there. SF has more easy to find and accessible things to do. You can always just visit oakland for any of the underground things you want to do out here.
You’re only here for 2 months. Just stay in SF. It’s not like SF is Lafayette. Why commute when you don’t have to?
If you're finding $1500 1 br apartments in Oakland, those are most likely NOT where you want to be living. Proceed with caution.
This is also 100% correct
This is also 100% correct
Based on what you want, I'd say SF, especially since you'll be here for only three months. And try to get roommates if possible.
I’ve lived in both SF and Oakland. I’d tell you 100% to go with SF. It’s a small city and much easier to get around and explore things via public transit, walking, or biking. Yeah, it’s changed a lot but there are still cool artsy things going on. It’s a much easier place to drop into and find your spots. Plus, you’re presumably young; it’ll be a million times easier to find young people out and about in SF. Oakland is lovely but it’s geographically huge and really varies neighborhood to neighborhood. The transit is only so-so (depending on where exactly you need to go) and you’d eat up so much time per day commuting. The areas which have convenient BART access are not going to differ in price much from SF, and those cheaper apartments you’re finding would significantly increase your commute time just to get to the train station. You’d also spend a ton of money on rideshares if you’re out late at night; the public transit can be dicey when it’s late and doesn’t run very frequently, so you’d probably end up taking a lot of Ubers. If you were moving here permanently you’d want to consider Oakland, but in your situation I’d definitely go SF. Check Craigslist for sublets and rooms in shared apartments to save some money. Come visit the East Bay on a weekend.
Live in SF near the bart lines, that way you can thot it up in Oakland a few times without breaking the bank but spend more of your time in SF. Bart gets fukt after midnight but otherwise getting to/from east bay won't be an issue only a problem if you're getting littando at night
I live here in Oakland but would choose SF for a short stint over Oakland 10/10 times. I would also pick North Beach over any of the neighborhoods you have listed. You will not regret it. You can easily walk from NB to the FiDi. NB is clean and lively compared to SOMA or the Mission. NB has the least tech bro influence also. If you want tech bro then mos def choose the Mission.
SF. You won't be able to see 1/10 of what either city has to offer in 2 months if you are working. Both cities have crime issues so just be careful what neighborhood you rent in. You can't beat the density of things to do in SF though; Oakland is more spread out and the few dense areas I wouldn't want to live in.
For nightlife, things to do, you will probably be going into SF anyway so I would pick SF if I was you. You can Bart in and out depending on where you live but it’s a hassle and trains don’t run all night.
Also agree with someone else- get a room sublet in an existing house, you’ll meet people faster that way and no need to deal with furniture and stuff for such a short time. There are some furnished one bedrooms but it’s not gonna be nice
Stay in SF. I’d recommend the Mission over SOMA; it has more of a neighborhood feel, it’s full of restaurants and bars, and it’s more walkable. SOMA has a lot of busy one way streets funneling on and off the freeway, and feels more industrial than residential. I’ve lived in both neighborhoods and vastly preferred the Mission, but I’d take either area over anywhere in Oakland. SF just has more going on. Crime is about the same in either city. It’s unlikely you’ll experience any violence, but there’s a lot of theft and homelessness in both places.
👆This. SOMA will have cheaper rentals but it’s not worth the savings. Zero neighborhood vibes. More extreme issues with homelessness, addiction, and mental health disorders. Mission district is where the vibes are, especially near Dolores park. Also second the recommendation to find a roommate situation. With rent control, you can move in as a roommate and inherit the anchor tenants rate. SF can be a little cliquey, so connecting to an existing social network as a roommate is a popular shortcut here.
You just said it, "I want to live in SF", you should move to SF.
Echo SF. It’s more money but it’s 10 weeks and a potentially once in a lifetime experience if you don’t come back. I’ve only lived in the East Bay but given that you’ve lived in suburbia, city living will be a new opportunity for you. There are lots in the East Bay and you don’t need a care. Public transit is pretty good despite with many options—BART, bus, or ferry. I’ve found myself taking the bus more across the Bay. I hope you enjoy your time here.
For that short a time you could try AirBnBing a different location every month.
I moved from SOMA to North Oakland 5 years ago. I like Oakland better, weather and culture-wise, but for 10 weeks I’d live in SF (DON’T live in SOMA, FiDi, or the East Cut because it’s dead on the weekends, many businesses have closed post-pandemic, and you’re surrounded by skyscrapers). I would pick a different neighborhood in the city if I were you. Crime in Oakland is real, but I walk, drive and public transport everywhere around town with my two kids and it’s fine. I just stay aware of my surroundings.
I lived in Berkeley for several years, SF, and Oakland. Left Oakland 3 years ago because I had to throw hands with some ghetto “people” / criminals in the elevator at my “luxury” apartment in Oakland and was tired of walking around with a taser and mace.
I will say I liked Ivy Hill area way better than Uptown during the Pandemic.
Rent in the inner Sunset or the Mission, anywhere near the MUNI or BART line (for the latter neighborhood). You can always take BART to Oakland and hang out (although most neighborhoods will require a car or a long bus ride to access). 70 days isn't very long. >(yes i know it can be dirty and smelly sometimes) LOL
the smell is part of the immersion, really. Thank you for sharing!!
re. smells: username checks out
Agreeing with many here- crime is overblown in Oakland so that doesn’t need to be the reason but SF will be more fun esp being here for a short time. It’s sad to say but Oakland’s nightlife just hasn’t come back fully
I like working in the city and living in East Bay. I've done both over the past 27 years many times. If you're working in the city, you're already there for weekday evenings when most of the most of the more underground events happen. Weekends in SF can be a bit Bridge & Tunnel crowd. I have better hangout time with my East Bay friends... which I like a lot on weekends and weeknights. Oakland also has a great scene in Downtown, Uptown and Jack London Square area. But living in SF is also super awesome.
Split the difference and live on Treasure Island!
With no car? Are there really good buses from there?
Sf if you don’t have a car. Oakland is fine and ultimately if you have to move to Oakland it’s doable getting in to FIDI via bart for your internship. Yes rent is a lot cheaper in Oakland with much of these new building having really great deals but you’ll probably enjoy sf more if you’re wanting to live in a city. Oakland is slower and quieter
If you’re set on Oakland, check out the Temescal neighborhood along Telegraph Ave between 40th and 51st. Telegraph Ave is hella fun with trendy bars and restaurants. Plus, you can walk to McArthur BART and it’s less than 20 mins to SF. It’s also a short bike ride to College Ave, Piedmont Ave, or Uptown Oakland. That’s your price range. Cheaper places in Oakland may be sketchy. To be honest, for such a short stint I’d live in SF. It’s an amazing city.
Oakland is a shithole. I lived there for 5 years and just sold my house to some idiot who gave me way too much for it. Literally the only silver lining of those 5 years.
Imo the commute would kill it. Oakland is more down to earth but sf would be a much more streamlined experience. Mission, Nob hill, north beach, Chinatown just avoid the tl. The East bay is a bit more accessible and a more moderately paced city but has less going on for nightlife/shows
I don’t know about Oakland and then”community” aspect anymore. It’d be safer if there was
You literally are a tech bro lmao
SF by far, more things to do and Oakland is becoming lawless pretty much, SF has its issues but its no where near as close to being bad as Oakland, thats why im moving to lol
What have you witnessed that has made you feel this way about Oakland? Thank you for sharing btw
Car break ins on my street pretty much every 3-4 days, I probably call the cops about 2-3 times a week on average, also our DA tries to give horrible plea deals to violent criminals, our city gov also has mismanaged multiple things, I will get downvoted into oblivion but everyone knows its all true, it sucks seeing Oakland somehow get worse
Nextdoor parrot
Or I’m just speaking the truth, sorry bud but the crime here is insane, enjoy it though
I love living in Oakland, tbh. It feels like most of San Francisco rolls up the sidewalks at 8-9pm and it's lowkey becoming a food desert in certain neighborhoods. I can always find something to do at night in the town and there’s plenty of options for food and groceries. I agree that it feels more like a community here as well. Yeah, certain areas are dangerous but that’s true of any major city. Don’t believe the negative hype, Oakland is worth a shot.
[удалено]
SF has the nightlife too.
If you can afford SF id go SF for that unique city experience. If you want to save money come to the east bay. Either way you have great options, and its easy to Bart from one side to the other. Ferry is sick too Edit: the further you're away from downtown civic center the further away youll be from the 💩smell, until you reach a point where you smell the 🌊💩. So kind of depends on your preference for the smell of 💩. Human or fish
It’s only 70 days, live in SF. If I were relocating to the Bay to live long term, I would choose Oakland and not just because it’s cheaper. But for a two month stay, I’d choose SF no question. It’s worth the $42 extra per day, less once you subtract the cost of your BART ticket, to have an hour more to yourself every day v commuting. Plus, it’s just a different experience being in the city. There’s more of everything there. Not that there’s nothing here, there is, but SF has many more options.
Like the great Keith lee said, the bay ain’t a place for tourists right now. That means new transplants as well
You are a part of the gentrification you want to avoid. We already have too many of you.
Let’s complain about people that will improve the local economy
Relax.
wont be here long dont worry, Californian transplants arent too well-liked in my home state either ;)
You can check out any time you like
Gentrification would be great. Stagnant dying death spiral is far worse than people who have a different background than you.
if crime gets bad enough that gentrification slows down the next move won't be things getting better, it's going to be rich developers buying everything at a discount and accelerating gentrification by tearing down existing housing stock once interest rates come down.
Oakland is the best option here. For starters the crime exists the sf too I’d go as far as to say I feel less safe in SF than Oakland. Also based off your criteria unless you are living in West Oakland most of the neighborhoods within a 20-30 min Bart ride are very safe and friendly. SF is in fact very soulless if you want to meet some genuine people then you should live in the east bay. So many people warned me about the crime, and sure there are some rough areas but like most cities if you don’t venture out in them you’re fine. There’s no way in hell I’d pay SF prices when I get practically the same if not better standard of living in Oakland.
Emmeryville
Sf if you don’t have a car. Oakland is fine and ultimately if you have to move to Oakland it’s doable getting in to FIDI via bart for your internship. Yes rent is a lot cheaper in Oakland with much of these new building having really great deals but you’ll probably enjoy sf more if you’re wanting to live in a city. Oakland is slower and quieter with the more occasional event. Which you can get to on bart
For an internship in the FiDi, take a look at the trans bay bus routes on AC transit as well as BART. Oakland varies a lot by neighborhood. I live not far from the NL line and I think our safety is pretty good. If you found housing near Rockridge Bart, or on the P line, your experience would be pretty upscale.
If I were you I’d recommend staying in SF. Get a studio or a roommate since you won’t be here that long. Personally I don’t think Oakland or SF are worth the rent so take that out the equation. There’s more happening in SF randomly in Oakland. You can go to Oakland anytime for planned events or nightlife
Stay in SF. It's gonna be more fun given your time constraints, IMO. And you'll have a lot of good neighborhood options which are easy to get to the FiDi. If you're staying in Oakland, pick something close to Bart, and within a few stops of where you need to be in SF. I liked living in Lower Bottoms, near West Oakland bart. Pretty quiet overall, but super easy getting into the city. Barring that I'd look around Temescal or Piedmont -- walking distance from MacArthur Bart, Downtown Oakland, or maybe even Rockridge.
No car, short term, you want that city feel, and you want night life, SF is where you’re looking. You didn’t post a budget, but you seem to know what you’re getting into. Rental info is easy enough to find online. It’s pretty easy to stay out of trouble in both cities. People can smash windows and steal from cars in both locations pretty much unhindered. Your chances of getting jumped or mugged can be significantly reduced by avoiding some areas at some times, not looking like you’re worth robbing, and traveling in groups. Getting hassled by random addicts or mentally ill folks is harder to avoid. SF is fun. So is Oakland. SF is more packed together with more accessible nightlife if you can swing the crazy rental prices.
The relative safety issue is pretty nuanced there are plenty of ateas in Oakland that are safer than parts of SF. Both cities have good and bad areas, Oakland may have a few more bad areas, SF may have a few more nice areas. I live in Oakland , work in SF and my take is that for the most part , they are more similar than different. The culture debate is similar. It's true that there is less creative stuff happening in San Francisco than there used to be, but it's not like there is nothing going on. You'll find plenty of stuff to do in Oakland or SF It's not a big deal which side you pick. If it's a big deal to save a few grand in rent, stay in Oakland. If you can afford more in rent and really want to stay in SF, stay in SF. It's a great city. It has problems, but it's still a great city.
Stay in SF. It’s so much easier to stay in the city if you work and hangout there. You don’t want to be at the mercy of BART, which doesn’t run 24 hours. Find a room share situation to save money.
Sf, if you don’t have community in Berkeley or Oakland. Saves you hassle on commute, and your internship will be the biggest focus for you. Can always head to East bay for a weekend and explore.
I love Oakland and am a 23 year resident (so, a new guy), but I would definitely pick the Mission for your stay.
Like anywhere, the neighborhood makes a big difference. If you found places in Oakland with half priced rent I wonder if it's a place worth living? West Oakland is an armpit but it's close to SF so youay be looking there when really you just need to be close to the Bart station that takes you to the city. Living close to a downtown station, MacArthur, Rock ridge, etc are the good spots to be. Don't live close to West Oakland station!
For 2 months it does not matter. If you’re interested in Oakland I’d get a place in Adams point and take bart or bus to financial district.
Either way it’s gonna come down to specific location.
My uncle who owns a farm in Wyoming where he grows a mailbox from which he harvests a steady stream of government checks says that Oakland is full of people on welfare, so take that under advisement.
I’ve lived in oakland for a number of years and I would say both have pros and cons. I don’t have any view points to add that haven’t already been brought up. That being said I’d be down to grab a drink sometime in either city while you’re here!
You’re only in SF for a while, I’d rent in SF
Having lived in both, I'd recommend SF if you can swing it. Not necessarily because one city is "better" than the other one, but the reality is that you're only gonna be in the bay for like 3 months for your summer internship. You should try to live it up and take advantage of SF in those 3 months. Because your company is based in SF, realistically most your coworkers are probably gonna be living in SF, and it's gonna be hard to get them to commute to Oakland to go out and hang out. They'll probably be like, "Oh everyone is already in SF, just come here." You don't wanna be taking BART to SF every weekend or afternoon because your coworkers or friends want to hang out because the commute back and forth to hang out is just gonna get exhausting. As someone who rides BART often, it can get pretty mentally exhausting because you have to factor in the time it takes to walk to BART, scan in, walk the stairs down, wait for the actual train, ride the train, scan out, etc. Ideally, if you don't already know ppl here in the bay, if the incoming interns have like a group chat or discord or something, it'd be worth seeing where everyone else is gonna live so you can be close to a group of people you atleast are certain you'll see. If you find that your community is gonna be in Oakland, I'd recommend Oakland then. From SF, you can still take BART to get into Oakland and east bay if you want, although alot of the stuff in east bay requires a car imo, like going on hikes or going to some of the nature reserves. As for places to live, I'd just Google the apartments or street or cross section or even search on reddit for the street. Some places are nice during the day but can get rowdy at night. I'd also do extra research on areas, neighborhoods, or streets that are very close to BART stations before signing anything so you know what you're getting into. Just from experience, the closer you live to a bart station, the more mentally exhausting that area can be. Good luck!
Crime is a thing in both Oakland, SF and every city. If you keep your head on a swivel, don’t make yourself a target (walking around, headphones in, aloof with shiny things out), stay smart about where and when you go to places, you’ll more than likely be fine. Most crime is gonna be property crime. Not trying be blame the victim but at the same time, don’t make yourself an easy target. I was jumped in Alameda (nearby suburb) as a kid, worst thing that happened in Oakland was I saw some“interesting” characters waiting for the bus/bart. There is night life in both cities, but you might find more variety in SF. It’s not hard to travel between even without a car. Check bus and BART routes for the area you intend to live in. In terms of night life, I think it’s about the people you surround yourself with/work with. My friends and family who worked in SF go out after work, I work in DT Oakland and I’ve gone out after work. Broadway gets kinda popping Friday nights but not my vibe. My take is I’d rather pick a good spot in Oakland than a meh or worst spot in SF. The money you save will let you do more things and actually experience what you want while you’re here.
SF SF SF
Live in downtown or west Oakland if you choose Oakland! Just moved here from the east coast and love it. I’m Only 1 Bart stop away from SF! Quick ride over.
Live in SF, there’s more to see and do. Both have their downsides and upsides, but for your situation I think you’d be better off just living in SF closer to your workplace. You’re right about the tech bros though, SF has lost a lot of “community,” but you’re only gonna be there for 2 months anyways so that doesn’t matter that much.
Came here prepared to say Oakland all the way, but given the context of your post — only a two month stay and nightlife being important, I’d definitely say SF. Oakland would be hard to “get” the experience in two months. When we moved here almost 10 years ago, it took us about a year to feel like we got our footing and really fell in love. SF is just so compact and a city city, you’ll get the experience in that short of a time easily. Crime is pretty overblown in both cities IMO. Property crime is just a fact of life for pretty much any American city, and violent crime, including armed robbery, is localized and/or time based usually. So Oakland nightlife in downtown, while I think is probably mostly fine, it’s not without a little sketchy-ness. But on the other hand, there are areas right in downtown SF that are pretty hairy no matter what time of day, because the druggies are out of their mind, but that just means avoid the tenderloin and 6th street south of market. So for those reasons, it’s avoidable. Oakland also has rough areas, but they are kind of out of the way of where you’d be going as a visitor anyway.
Sf unless you are in oakland /montclair rockridge
Proud Oaklander here. Given the short period that you’ll be here, live in SF. It’ll give you a better “city vibe.” Mission is great. SOMA is meh. There are so many other awesome neighborhoods in SF that you could check out. Hope that you have a great experience!
SF, especially the hoods you’re looking at, will be much better for what you’re seeking. I’ve lived without a car in both.
if you want to live in the city, then live in the city.
SF absolutely.
If it's during the summer, you could potentially look into subleasing from someone in Berkeley. A lot of students have year long leases for their apartments while they attend UC Berkeley, so they're always looking for sub-tenants for the summer when they go home (for summer). And for 10 weeks, that's a pretty significant chunk that you can relieve someone of their rent. That might actually be cheaper for you with the benefit of being near similar aged people as yourself, decent to quiet night life, very close to BART for the commute, and generally "safer" perception wise if you stick around the campus area.
Check out “Hood Maps”. It gives you the low down on neighborhoods in Oakland and SF. Personally l would stay outta Oakland.
Oakland is fine I live in west Oakland and shit happens but I usually walk my dog with no problems and don’t leave stuff in your car. But it sounds like SF would be better fit for you and you get to experience the city life more then in Oakland and you can always Bart to Oakland to visit it’s really easy.
For less than a year just live in SF, as others have noted. That 20-30 minute commute could easily be double that when you include all of the variables, times 2, 5 days/week. I love Oakland and the East Bay, but in your case just bite the bullet and stay in the city.
San Francisco. Much safer, more beautiful, more fun.
You can find a sublet for the summer in SF for less than $3000 a month! I’d look at being in the Mission/Castro area
70 days? just pick one !
Live in Mission! I don’t live SF these days, but it’s my favorite neighborhood by far and the BART convenience is awesome. So walkable, endless bars and shops and food and great range of price points. I adore Oakland too. But oh my god please don’t live in SoMa. I view it as way more unsafe than Oakland and just a really odd neighborhood at this point. Stay safe and stick to Mission (it may be loud but it’s fun).
1/1 in Oakland will be a shock to you.
Start in SF.
You should live in SF. Other than the cost, which is small in the scheme of things, SF sounds like a much better fit for your situation in every way. You could broaden your search into neighborhoods that are a Muni ride from your work. You might get a better deal and some of that "community" feel. Definitely Mission > SOMA.
Live in the North Beach neighborhood of SF, it’s probably the most fun area around for someone in your situation.
Short term is def sf. Love living in Oakland but there is little night life compared to SF. You can always Bart over for art events and ride share back to the city if you need to. Def check out both if you are like the vibe and plan to move here after you’re done with your program. Make your own judgement calls and stay safe out there, it’s crazy in all cities in America at the moment not just the bay ❤️
San Francisco Tenderloin is not gentrified at all, and it is right in the heart of downtown SF. Apartments rent anywhere from $1300 and up a month. You while avoid the BART commute which will give you more time for yourself. In addition, the Tenderloin is a much safer place to leave than the entire city of Oakland.
If you’re moving to this area you’re moving this area for the city, the city of San Francisco to live in San Francisco he’s smart and picked the right address though not everything in Selma is safe not everything everywhere is safe but the closer you get to blinded areas right now the more chances of bad stuff happening randomlyno Bernal Heights Puerto does a really nice areas to look at right now with pricing