For the past two months, my sister, Ashlyn, and I have been looking for housing in San Francisco for the fall. Last year, my sister tried to start looking for a house in the fall and was nearly stressed out of her mind and down to the wire looking for a suitable living space to share with her roommate. Alas, this year, we decided to get a head start on it by deciding to pay the rent on a place we wouldn’t be staying over the summer.
We thought getting a house would be relatively easy, considering where two students looking for a two bedroom space in a fairly large city. But it has been anything but easy.
According to expatistan.com, San Francisco is now the 2nd most expensive place in cost of living behind New York in the United States. Because of this, students living on part-time jobs and loans are finding it difficult to find a place that is less than $1,000 a month, per person. Ashlyn and I worked hard to find a house. We contacted people daily, saw around 3-5 houses a week and applied to nearly every one. The problem we mainly encountered was the fact that, when stacked up against people who are working full-time jobs and have good credit, which is difficult to find two college students, we had little chance.

It may be difficult to find a place to live for two students in other cities, but the fact is that San Francisco is overpopulated and overpriced. It is a good place for millionaire tech industries and their workers to live or perhaps suitable for those working in the financial district. However, when looking for a place on a student’s budget, it makes it more difficult to find a suitable living space that is reasonable.
We all dream of our first house that we get on our own. And San Francisco cannot always provide these dream apartments. The living spaces are small, some houses that are available for rent are trying to claim that it is a “2 bedroom” unit, when in reality the bedrooms are glorified walk-in closets. Many houses do not have ovens nor stoves and many are unwilling to accommodate for service and emotional support animals. While San Francisco is a very popular city, with thousands of tourists visiting each week, the fact is that it is very difficult to live in the bay area. Many college professors and students alike live across the bay in Oakland or Alameda, while others come in from San Jose or Daily City. While these are all long commutes via the Bart or by car, many people cannot afford buying a house for themselves or a family in the city.

San Francisco is a wonderfully vibrant city, with many amazing places to visit and I love going to school here. However, it is still a challenge to find a house or apartment that can both provide a suitable living environment and be within a student’s price range. My sister and I were lucky enough to find an in-law house to share for the coming school year and are hoping the best for those still looking for housing. While San Francisco is a great tourist city, as a resident, you have to make certain sacrifices and compromises to find a place that you can still call home. Though the houses may be small, they have a great deal of character, just like the city that they come from.