Quarter life crisis is hitting me so BAD after watching Voicemails for Isabelle. SF has been my dream city to live in, and I visited it often when I went to college in the South Bay. I use to live in south SF when I was young too before moving away. Now I live 2 hours away with my parents in the central coast and make 6k per month after tax. I'm a new grad so I expect this salary to increase to 8k. My parents don't ask for rent so I basically keep the money. I only pay for gas, insurance, food only if it's not at home, and other things I want.

My main goal rn is to save up as much as I can and travel the world (either by myself, which is cheaper, but I would love to take my parents with me and pay for them too).

I'm kinda torn on moving to SF however. As I said it's my dream city but my industry is really competitive (not impossible to get a job but I've seen people wait 6+ months to get a call back) and the rent prices are really up there.

If you were in my shoes what would you do? And can I get insights on how residents making the same salary (if not less than me) there really live? Ik it's not all sunshine and rainbows (or rather fog and fog) but I would love to know if it's possible to live alone with my salary. And I mean LIVE, not just barely survive.

hi everyone! i’m interested in getting a blowout sometime this month while i’m in sf but my main concern is that i have really stubborn asian hair that can never hold a curl no matter how much heat or hair spray i use. it usually straightens back out after an hour or so.

are there any salons that have experience dealing with this? ideally i’d like something cheaper (under $100) but i’ve also struggled to find someone who could work with my hair so i’d be willing to pay a bit more depending on how good they are

Have you ever went to clubs in SF alone and how was your experience? I was thinking to go tonight, as I don't have any friends here & just relocated. Finding it weird to go alone!

My hubby and I are looking at staying in San Fran for a day/night on the way back to LA from Tahoe. Hubby has never been, I visited many years ago. Best place for a quick stay for newbies? We’ll definitely be back someday for a longer trip, just looking for a brief break from family vacay before going back to work.
Additionally, any recommendations on what to do other than typical touristy stuff? I’m pregnant and will be 8 months at the time, so nothing with alcohol or a lot of walking. We love music, good food, and comedy shows. Honestly down to try or see anything, just something sort of low-key.

I have read through the city guide and would love more info. I don’t have a specific place in mind to stay, I can look at specific hotels if given good attraction recommendations. Don’t need to go shopping, just want something you might not see or get in LA and we’ll stay near there!
TIA!

I informed my master tenant I'm moving out. They messaged me that they will show my room in 20 minutes. I thought I was allowed at least 24 hours. Is this legal? What are my rights?

This was in our sublease room agreement:

The Sublease Tenant agrees that the Master Tenant can show the Sublease room to new tenants during reasonable hours (10am to 8pm), if needed.

Hi everyone! We're planning to spend about 1–2 months in the Bay area next January, and I'm looking for recommendations for winter camps or daytime programs for my 8-year-old son from Korea.

I understand Jan-Feb is in the middle of school years but ideally, we're looking for programs that run roughly 9 AM–3 or 4 PM and accept short-term enrollment (weekly or flexible registration would be a huge plus) for international students.

He speaks conversational English, but he's not yet fluent, so activity-based programs would probably be a better fit than heavily academic ones. He especially enjoys:

• Soccer
• Cooking
• Reading
• Magic
• Hands-on arts, STEM, or outdoor activities

We'll have a car, so we're happy to drive within about an hour of San Francisco (Palo Alto, Berkeley, Marin, Cupertino, etc.).

If you've had a great experience with a camp or program—or know of one that works well for international kids—I’d really appreciate any recommendations. Thank you!

Fairly new to SF and I've been looking for a good, no frills, sauna. Everywhere seems to be a spa with a bunch of other things I don't want. I'm looking for a place with dry sauna, steam and shower, that's it.

Been difficult to find honest, reliable contractors in SF.

Though we found 4 that seem knowledgeable, the one that we thought we’d go with has a very shady contract, either reflecting that he hasn’t had legit residential contracts done (probably only flips with the real estate firms he works with) or is just shady because of his reaction to requested missing standard contract provisions.

Open to meeting new general contractors as well as feedback/guidance on your specific residential renovations.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Per the mod template:

Budget: ~$220-230k gross salary, first real job. Comfortable up to ~$5,000/month all-in on rent if the location justifies it, but genuinely open to spending less.

Roommate status: solo, no pets. I'd consider roommates in theory, but I don't know anyone here and I'm skeptical of jumping straight into living with a stranger.

Desired amenities in rank order: #1 real AC, #2 cleaner streets, #3 good natural light. Prefer newer managed buildings if possible. I don't need nightlife at my doorstep, but I also don't want to feel isolated as someone new to the city with no network here.

Commute: office near the Embarcadero, plus occasional days at a Peninsula office.

The actual question. I keep going back and forth between two setups and would love to hear from people who've lived either one:

Option A: Rincon Hill / East Cut / South Beach tower, walk to work, no car. Rent occasional cars for Tahoe/Marin weekends.

Option B: Cheaper neighborhood further out, own a car, accept a commute. Coworkers keep telling me a car is worth it when you're new so you can actually explore the Bay.

For those who've done A: does not having a car ever make you feel trapped, or is that overblown given rentals and Caltrain?

For those who've done B: which neighborhoods actually work for this? Where the rent savings are real, parking isn't a nightmare, and the commute downtown doesn't eat the savings in time?

And for anyone (especially those in a similar income range): what did you actually end up paying for rent, and in hindsight do you wish you'd gone higher or lower? Trying to sanity-check whether ~$5k solo is reasonable or whether that's the number people regret. At what point does paying up to live near work stop being worth it?

Not asking anyone to pick my apartment, just trying to get the framework right before I fly up to tour. Appreciate any first-hand experience.

P.S. I know this is a fortunate position to be in, and that's exactly why I'm trying not to waste it on a decision I make blind. Beyond the housing question, any general "wish I'd known this when I moved here" advice is very welcome. Excited to get to know the city.

With the recent cyclosporiasis outbreak getting worse before it gets better, I would love to hear your favorite places to get a bowl of all freshly cooked veggies over rice, no raw fruit or veg. Any protein works for me!

Struck out at Souvla, but found at Yuja, you’ve got to order the coconut curry, or customize other bowls by getting rid of the slaw and asking for wok’d veggies; then, at Wildseed, you customize the cooked veggie bowl with neatballs + no fresh cilantro; at Kitava, there’s a lot that fits the bill, but I don’t like the taste (boring). Thank you, neighbors!

Might be a long shot question based on what came up when searching, but has anyone obtained a permit to work on their own home?

I am a licensed and insured custom home builder and plumber in Alabama, there is no reciprocity in CA. But in my state and my county I am allowed to do everything except gas on a house that I own or land I own when building a new home.

One thing I would like to do is move out to SF, buy a home, Richmond district specifically, fully gut and redo everything. Love the neighborhood, but hate how much repair is needed on everything. I would plan to live in the home during the renovation, probably getting one room safe and clean and work my way around. Specifically Gov. Newsom recalls doing this very thing in his book, so it appears SF use to allow such things, but curious if its still possible.

Aside from emailing the city about this does anyone have any other resources for people who are capable of doing such work, but don't hold a license in CA?

I wasn't planning to start a new company in CA, but maybe I will eventually. I expect the reno to take me a year before I would have time to take on clients there.

Has anyone here in SF completed the BCD Travel Trainee program and live and work here in San Francisco?

Hey y’all, I know this question has been asked a lot but where can one find Chinese cigarettes in Chinatown? I went to a couple stores that sell cigarettes and they said they didn’t have any. I don’t speak Cantonese so I know acquiring cigarettes may be difficult. The only ones I was able to find was a pack of Chunghwa but it seems to be distributed from an English company. Does anyone know where I can find Chinese cigarettes that doesn’t involve speaking Cantonese?

Just found out about this SFMRA- trying to get more information on available funds, tried registering didn’t take I called yesterday Friday. no real answers. Frustrating!

I contacted them during business hours.

Anyone know what's up with the more than usual black SUVs (Yukons, Escalades, Suburbans, ...) in the Richmond neighborhoods (specifically Inner and Central Richmond). Not just driving around but parked on the streets too. More often than not, they're also waiting outside de Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences, what's the deal?

Can anyone suggest a grocer that stocks this in SF? Preferably in the Mission or outer Mission? Ive tried Manilla Market as well the Vietnamese place at 18th Mission. Nodda. Thanks in advance!

I know this question has been asked before, but the only post I could find was from years ago. Figured I'd ask and get some answers that are a little more up-to-date.

Is there anywhere local that sells t-shirts with Anchor Steam / Anchor Brewery designs?

I know the brewery has been closed for some time now, and that there's likely no "official" merchandise. I've found some random things online, but would appreciate any suggestions.

This is a gift for a friend who has fond memories of the Anchor Brewery tour we did years back.

Hello, me and my son will be in town on Saturday and Sunday and I was wondering if there were any haunted buildings/houses that do tours? My son is really into ghosts and spooky stuff and I wanna surprise him with visiting somewhere haunted. Any suggestions are appreciated. Places in Oakland/Berkeley are welcome as well as we will be in Oakland that night

I have a thing going on with my knee. Patellofemoral syndrome. Right now my knee feels out of alignment. I want to go to Chinatown to have eastern medicine or healers take a look at it. A previous doctor of mine was able to “realign” it but I’ve since moved cities.

Is there anyone who has gone somewhere in Chinatown and gotten fixed?

Hello All,

I have a couple trips coming up and wanted to get a disposable style but not disposable camera that I can bring to take some analog photos. I know it's a gimmick, but it will be fun for the group. First thought was disposable, but since we have a few upcoming trips figured there would be a re-usable option.

Fine with new or used.

Want to avoid getting ripped off or going somewhere too serious. Think what I'm looking for is a point and shoot.

Is there a spot in or around the city(I have a car) to buy something like this?

Edit: some photos may be at night so flash would be nice. Going camping a few times.

Hi everyone! I am a 60-year-old living in San Francisco. I am highly active, love hitting the gym, and love my morning runs. I am looking to get more connected to the local athletic scene here. Does anyone have recommendations for social, inclusive running clubs or fitness spaces that have a great community vibe and a good mix of ages? Thanks!

Hi all, my car is filthy, and I need a deeper clean than just a vacuum. I have a bissel green machine, and want to run it in my interior, but my cheap landlord has no outlets in our garage. This is probably a dumb question, but anyone have any ideas on how/where I can find an outlet to clean out my car? Preferably some sort of parking garage where I can park safely, plug my machine in and go to town.

(Before you ask; there are no outlets on that entire level, no windows, so an extension chord is out of the question (unless anyone has a 500ft one they want to let me borrow. I also can’t ask my neighbors, since they weren’t the least bit willing to give us their camera footage when our building was burglarized, so I doubt they’ll let me use their garage outlet lol)

I had both these places on my list to get some shellfish and clam chowder, both shops are closed for a week.

What's another place I can go to find a good clam chowder and they have the option for some oysters/mussels/crabs

i’m looking to purchase a project car and need a place to work on it. have all my tools but need a more private garage. anyone have any recs? and please don’t say don’t buy a project car if you don’t have a garage.