San Francisco is a renowned city that draws tons of people every year regardless of age and background. Besides having professional and educational opportunities galore, the city’s gorgeous architecture, notable landmarks, and breathtaking beauty are to die for! Finally, its diverse culture makes it a highly inclusive place to live in.
As a student, you might find it challenging and overwhelming to search for a neighborhood outside your campus that meets all your requirements and is reasonably priced. To make the neighborhood-hunting job easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of eight communities you can explore. If you’re thinking of getting a room for rent in San Francisco, seek the services of Cirtru, the most dependable rental room finder in the United States, and you’ll be glad you did! Here are the top eight neighborhoods ideal for students to live off-campus in SF.
San Francisco. Source: Pixabay
1. Mission Bay
A developing neighborhood, it’s a favorite among young professionals and students, given the crowd that flocks there all the time. Besides a number of tech companies that have set up offices here, you’ll get to see many North Bay rental properties. There are a few famous landmarks that you can spend time checking out too. The community has an infectious energy that’ll keep you motivated all week long. On weekends, you can have your share of fun by participating in activities such as going for a hike on the Bay trail, dropping by the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market, or even kayaking! See if you can find a room or house for rent in San Francisco here.
2. Showplace Square
Showplace Square is a charming neighborhood with an urban vibe. One of the highlights of the place is its proximity to shops, gyms, grocery stores, and bars, much to the delight of its residents. The community runs many events throughout the year, so boredom is out of the question! You may also want to know that the community has multiple eateries serving delectable cuisines, such as Dumpling Time, Saffron 865, and The Grove-Design District. Students will find this neighborhood a perfect place for balancing their student life with fun and entertainment!
3. South Beach
South Beach was where the tech industry flourished in 2001, so the neighborhood still exhibits a tech vibe. Students will find this the ideal place to live in because it’s an affordable neighborhood, and the rentals have many modern features. The area has tons of trails that you can take full advantage of should you want to go for a hike. In addition to the tracks, there are several fancy restaurants and beautiful museums. Sports lovers can head over to the AT&T stadium to watch a baseball game. Overall, it’s a fantastic community you can explore to find a room or house for rent in San Francisco.
4. South of Market (SoMa)
SoMa is a reasonably-priced neighborhood and a top-notch destination for students because of its blend of art galleries, warehouses, restaurants, dive bars, and amazing nightlife venues! The community ensures that you study and have fun in equal measure. If you’re keen on watching a baseball game, hop over to Oracle Park, which has hosted many games for the San Francisco Giants. Art lovers can head over to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Center for the Arts. How can we forget the dance clubs? Explore the DNA Lounge and Audio DiscoTech and dance away to make some memories! Nature lovers can drop by Yerba Buena Gardens. In the end, this is a great neighborhood to consider for a room or house for rent in San Francisco!
5. Mission District
Mission District is an affordable neighborhood, perfect for young professionals, students, and hipsters. The area’s well-known for many reasons. The area has a roaring nightlife scene, so students and professionals can have a ball here! Make sure you drop by The Chapel for live music, drinks, and an enviable ambiance. The Elixir Saloon offers assorted drinks, including cocktails and beer.
The food here also needs a special mention since everyone who’s been to the locale knows how popular its tacos and burritos are! Mexican food aside, there are plenty of other global cuisines that you can explore to satisfy your appetite, such as Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine for Thai food and Over Proof, which serves a range of different food items. If you’re looking for places to explore, the area has landmarks from the 18th century, such as Mission Dolores, a Spanish Californian mission and the oldest structure in the city. As a student, you’ll also love Dolores Park, where you can hang out with your friends, get a tan, or just view the gorgeous sunset. In a nutshell, the neighborhood is walkable, so you can access the places that matter without much of a commute.
6. Noe Valley
Noe Valley is a diverse neighborhood with residents from all walks of life. Residents mainly comprise families, but young professionals and students can also find a home here. However, we’d like to add here that the locale is a little on the pricey side, so check it out and thoroughly research the rental prices before searching for a room or house for rent in San Francisco here.
The area is surrounded by hills and has some of the most stunning Victorian homes you’ve ever seen! The neighborhood provides numerous options for food and shopping. Since coffee is an integral part of our lives, visit Martha and Brothers for a cup of joe. For baked goods, there’s Noe Valley Baking Company. While you’re there, make sure you check out Firefly, which serves a variety of cuisines, including Polynesian and Mediterranean. Another eatery worth a mention is Fresca, serving mouthwatering Peruvian cuisine! Should you wish to wrap up your day with souvenirs for your friends and family, head over to Just For Fun & Scribbledoodles, a gift shop!
7. Potrero Hill
The neighborhood went through a significant transformation during the tech boom in the 90s when warehouses and factories were turned into houses and offices. Although the locale is family-oriented, young professionals and students are more than welcome here.
Eighteenth Street is where you’ll find all the action with eateries and nightclubs aplenty. If you’re into live music, you can check out Bottom of the Hill, where you’ll get to watch performances by famous SF bands and potential musicians. Should you wish to spend time in the lap of nature, take a walk through McKinley Square with its trails and green spaces! If you feel artsy or want to explore the artist in you, you can take drawing or dancing classes at the SomArts Cultural Center. It seems like an exciting place to check out for a room for rent in San Francisco.
8. Presidio Heights
Presidio Heights is an upscale neighborhood with lovely Edwardian-style homes and well-kept yards. Know that you don’t have to be wealthy to live in this neighborhood. The area is home to multi-unit several buildings and condos available at reasonable prices if this is where you see yourself living.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the place with its numerous parks, forests, and walking paths! If you’re one of them, be sure to explore them. Should you feel hungry (and you will), explore the many restaurants in the area serving Italian, French, American, and Asian cuisines. Notable restaurants include Sociale for home-style pasta and Spruce. Spruce uses ingredients sourced from local farmers for all its dishes! Do you want to shop till you drop? Drop by Laurel Village on California Street. Bruce Street and Sacramento Streets also have their share of shops and boutiques.
So, are you enthused about starting your neighborhood search? We think you are! We’re aware that when most people hear of housing in SF, they start panicking because of the cost of living. While we agree that SF has one of the highest living standards among cities in the USA, if you research well, you should be able to find pockets where the rent falls within your budget. In all probability, you’ll have to live with a roommate in San Francisco, but it’ll be worth it!
