STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kealoha · Kate Spade

Question for SF Ladies

Sibeski · Dooney & Bourke

My SIL lives across from Golden Gate park (Lincoln & 12th) in a tri-level and works in the financial district - she takes Muni to work most day's.
Personally, I love where she lives ;) There's a playground in the park and plenty of restaraunt's & shopping.
Parking is an issue if you don't have a garage included, but that's an issue almost everywhere in the city. It's safe - we've walked many blocks in high heels doing the tipsy-weave and we've never had a problem.
I can ask her for more recommendations.

Teresa · Kate Spade

your leaving MN? lucky duck!

Kitty · Hermes

When I worked in the Financial District I lived in North Beach. I could walk to work in under 15 minutes. You might also consider the Marina or Noe Valley. I'd stay away from the mission or Sunset.

sfcaligirl · Dooney & Bourke

hi, i've lived in SF for the past 4 years so i'll give you my perspective on the neighborhoods. if you're just looking for convenience to the financial district, north beach would be a good bet because of its physical proximity to downtown. just make sure you're not on the main strip (lots of strip clubs, etc)! north beach has a lot more character (great bookstores and old italian restaurants) than soma or south park, which are also close the the FIDI, but tend to be full of high-rises and more modern condos.

as far as other options go, it really depends on your lifestyle and what you're looking for. i personally love the mission - yes, there are some seedy areas, but that is true in most areas of the city. the mission is definitely edgier than other neighborhoods. if i could pick up and move tomorrow, i would LOVE to live in the mission near dolores park. there are tons of great restaurants, bars, and shops and the park itself is always fun on a sunny day and has a wonderful view of the city. plus, dolores street is lined with palm trees :) also, the mission is very convenient to downtown/the FIDI - BART takes 5-10 minutes from the 24th & mission stop.

i really like the inner sunset too - i used to work out there. it's a funky little neighborhood with lots of good restaurants and it's right next to golden gate park. so it's great if you're a runner/biker or like to be outdoors. it's a little more difficult to get downtown - you would need to take the N train (which can take a long time in the mornings) or a bus.

noe valley is very cute. it's more family-oriented and residential and feels a little bit more removed from the bustle of the city. i'm not sure how great the commute would be from there. you could take the J (like the N, might take a while in the mornings).

i'm not a huge fan of the marina, but that's more of a personal preference. it's a beautiful area and there are tons of restaurants, bars, and boutiques. it's also VERY expensive and not super convenient to downtown, in my opinion. but that's only because i hate buses and that's the only public transportation that serves the marina (there is no underground metro line that goes out there)! anyway, i do love to go down to the marina to run along crissy field out to the golden gate bridge (GORGEOUS run), but i'm not sure i would choose to live there.

i know i just threw a lot of information at you, but let me know if you have any more questions about SF. i have totally fallen in love with the city and enjoy talking to people about it. good luck with your move!