The Hunt

Apartment hunting in San Francisco is a whole different ball game. All along we've known that as part of Apple's relocation package, we'd be taken on a tour to various apartments scheduled by a realty specialist. That tour is happening tomorrow, but this week I decided to look on my own to get a feel for it and also to see a few apartments that I knew would be gone quickly.

The housing market in SF is pretty brutal right now. We were informed by our relocation specialist that prices have shot up since Jordan moved here in January, and of course the good apartments go quickly. Most of the apartments we found browsing through Craigslist last weekend have been or will be rented by the time we take our tour tomorrow. Just to give you an idea, on Tuesday I visited two apartments downtown. At one of them, a very nice 2 bedroom apartment in Nob Hill (a very centrally located, fun neighborhood), I was joined by at least 15 other people at the showing all vying for this place. And who knows, they could have shown it to more people at other times. We went ahead and applied, because you have to do it on the spot if you want a chance, but pretty much knew there was no hope. Apartment hunting in SF is almost like a sales pitch for yourself - it's not about finding the apartment you like, it's about finding several apartments you'd be happy with and then presenting yourself to the owner and hoping you're what they're looking for. We've also learned that we have to broaden our search and not get hung up on certain amenities. While the nice 2 bedroom affordable apartment in Nob Hill with hardwood floors and a bay window would be perfect, it would also be perfect for half the other people looking for apartments currently, which means less chance of getting it.

Jordan and I are lucky that we're flexible and not in a huge hurry to move. With the month to month lease in Cupertino, we could just as easily sign a lease tomorrow or find something where move in is not until mid-August. Either way I'm excited to keep looking and to find a place that we can be comfortable and happy in. Maybe I'll have news that we found a place by next week! Wish us luck!