It’s graduation season, which means hundreds of thousands of newly-educated young people will be hunting for a new apartment in a new city. If moderate (see: snowless) winters, a great craft beer scene, and general West Coast vibes are your things, the Bay Area is going to be a great place to call home. Assuming you have a job lined up (plus some money saved) and you’re ready to make your move to the San Francisco Bay Area, here are the neighborhoods you’ll want to check out.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Oakland
1. San Francisco
Perhaps the most well-known neighborhood in San Francisco, The Haight is surprisingly affordable, for San Francisco at least. Surrounded by green spaces on three sides–Buena Vista Park, Golden Gate Park, and The Panhandle–the Haight is perfect for runners, bicyclists, and those who feel a little claustrophobic in city centers. Along Haight Street you’ll find vintage record shops and clothing stores, pubs and pizza places, and plenty of coffee shops.
If you’re tight on cash, The Sunset is your best bet. One bedroom apartments can be found for well under the median prices in the city and, although it’s a quieter neighborhood, there are still plenty of delicious restaurants and local watering holes to appease you. The Muni runs through this hood, so you can take the N Line Judah to work downtown. Perhaps the best part of the sunset, though, is its proximity to Golden Gate Park. Spanning more than 1,000 acres and nearly 50 city blocks, the park is filled with museums, a Japanese Tea Garden, baseball fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, bison, and so much more.
The crux of this neighborhood is Patricia’s Green, an urban park with benches, people walking their dogs, and a rotating art exhibit. It’s surrounded by trendy restaurants, cocktail bars with outdoor patios, and a beer garden aptly named Biergarten. Local shops and small boutique stores line Hayes Street, and outdoor workout classes take place in the neighborhood’s multi-use spaces. You’ll find lots of young, fresh-out-of-college locals here, we can guarantee you that.
San Jose
One of only three remaining Japantowns left in the nation (the other two are in Los Angeles and San Francisco), this neighborhood breathes life and culture into downtown San Jose. Japanese markets, authentic Japanese cuisine, and karaoke bars make this hood both a destination and a great place to live. A short drive (or walk, if you’re feeling ambitious) away is San Pedro Square Market, a nighttime hot spot for young professionals. Here you can get local beers, burgers made with grass-fed beef, and Vietnamese grub that you can enjoy on the large, outdoor patio that joins the market’s two buildings.
Campbell is known for its quaint, family-friendly enclaves, but its downtown is also a great place to hang out on the weekends. Head to Aqui for their industrial-strength margaritas, hop over to Campbell Brewing Company for a local craft beer, and get Greek food at the always-fun Opa! If none of those sound good, you’ll also be within easy driving distance to some of San Jose’s must-try restaurants, so you can hit those up instead. The city is also home to a great performing arts center, the Heritage Theater, which hosts concerts, plays, and symphony performances.
When you need a little fresh air or want a short weekend getaway, you won’t have to go far. Head to Vasona Lake County Park where you can play some frisbee or have a picnic on the 45-acre lawn. Rent a paddleboat and take it for a ride around the reservoir, or hike on the 152-acres of connecting trails and parkway. You’ll also be within a 30-minute drive to lots of other outdoor options, like Almaden Quicksilver County Park, El Sereno Open Space, and Castle Rock State Park.
Oakland
We’ve already named this one of Oakland’s trendiest neighborhoods, and for good reason. Temescal leads the way with its influx of young people, drawing them in with airy, outdoor breweries, restaurants boasting fancy mac ‘n cheese on their menus, and ample bars within walking distance. Young professionals and recent grads love this neighborhood, and its location near MacArthur BART station makes it even more desirable for those commuting to work in San Francisco.
If there’s one Oakland neighborhood that’s giving Temescal a run for its money in terms of attracting new residents, it’s Lake Merritt. What once was an eyesore everyone avoided, Lake Merritt is now a pristine body of water nestled into a charming neighborhood. Jog around the lake on its 3.2-mile trail, picnic on the grass on a warm day, or pop in for a drink at one of the bars dotting the neighborhood. Lake Merritt has its own BART station, so commuting from here to San Francisco is also a breeze.
You’ve found your perfect Bay Area neighborhood, now it’s time to snag the perfect apartment. Find your next place on Zumper and make your move to the West Coast.
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