San Francisco and All It's Glory

If you're thinking about up and moving to San Francisco just for the hell of it, let me be the first to tell you to stop right there and evaluate yourself.  The city by the bay was our original place to settle in once we got over to the west coast, but plans change.  For weeks before we left we both had been scouring Craigslist to find an apartment that was both cheap and didn't force us to have roommates, but unfortunately we figured out the hard way that that is just not possible.

As we drove over the fog-draped bridge for the first time, excitement filled both our hopeful little hearts; this was our new home.  Nearing the end of the iconic bridge, the fog cleared and the city came into view; we zipped back and forth between streets inspecting the different neighborhoods we had been reading about for the past few months.  The Presidio really is wealthy and gorgeous, Market is for business and shopping, and the Castro is lined with rainbow flags.  All of the stereotypes fit.

It wasn't long before the realization hit us that we didn't have a place to go.  We had nowhere to sleep tonight.  Trying not to let this rain on our parade, we found a little coffee shop and sent out more emails to landlords and tenants, until one finally answered us.  It was for a co-op in SoMa (South of Market).  They were having an open house that night and it was shockingly in our price range (under $1700 total for 1 bedroom), so of course we told them we'd be there.

Fisherman's Wharf

After securing a spot that night, we tried to enjoy some time in the Haight, a colorful hippie-vibe neighborhood, by exploring the overwhelming number of thrift stores.

At the open house, we quickly realized we were out of place.  1. We were the only girls  2. We didn't work in tech  3. We were definitely younger than everyone else.

Once a hotel, this co-op, which was still under construction, was turned into a home for 30-some people.  At the time they were looking for another 50 or so.  80 PEOPLE.  That's outrageous.  We toured the place, massive industrial kitchen, community living room, and floors with dozens of tiny rooms.  When they told us it was $1700 for a single and $1250 each for a double, we found an equally disappointed friend and went drinking.

That night we didn't know where to go, so we slept in the car.  Parked it in the parking lot of a Safeway, and commiserated with the homeless.  We both barely got a wink of sleep, and when the cops told us to move around 3am we were pretty much out of options.  We drove around until we found a street spot and waited until sunrise.  I don't know what was keeping us going at this point.  Exhausted from camping and driving, starving, haven't showered in Lord knows how long, and craving a warm bed that we didn't have to share.

Ain't she a sea fox

We spent a few more days in San Francisco in the car and cheap motels, but when we finally realized it wasn't going to happen for us we went to get some real food and collectively decided to head down to San Diego the next day.  It was a moment of joy and relief; we knew we had to go and were excited to be back in warm weather, a place we both had been before, and a place we would lovingly call home.

Once we had our new destination charted and the relief of finding a home in SF off our shoulders we could actually enjoy it.  We visited Fisherman's Wharf, Girardelli Square, Parks, saw the Golden Gate etc.  It is a beautiful, interesting city that I would like to see again.

Off to San Diego!