Whats a good place to live (SFO) if u want to kite alot?

[Vivek]

Bay area + Cheap + walking distance to the beach = dream

I second tgautier on the peninsula if you don't mind the mud and the lack of wave. I was able to ride 3rd ave every single day in the past 2 weeks and then driving 5mn back home. And that, without missing a full day of work. I wonder if it's even possible when living east bay or near the ocean.

It's quite possible. Last week (after ending a job and prior to starting another one) I had flexibility in the afternoons and got in 7 out of 8 days at a total of 4 east bay spots, all within 10-20 minutes from home/work which brings up another plus - variety. O:)

Where in the peninsula would be a good spot given that I'm a single guy.
CAn you recommend a city or area?

(Sorry for asking such an obvious question but I really dont know.)

Thanks!
-Vivek

[Loscocco]

SF castro district

[tgautier]

If you're not an advanced kiter forget Crissy.

Since you are single I would say go for SF don't think twice about it. There's no comparison.

With no traffic the drive to third is only about 20 min. During kiting hours this is nothing.

On the other hand having to make that drive for going out (and worse returning) in SF is a drag.

You might wanna look in SOMA or Potrero - this is where a lot of tech action happens, it's warm, cheap(er), and close to the freeway.

I'll assume you are going to rent - but I'll reinforce that idea anyway - you dont want to buy until you've lived here for a few years and you know the area better.

[shmed]

I think tgautier hit it right on. I live in SF but lived in NYC for a 6 years too (married now but was single in both), feel free to PM me if you want-- there are specific apt complexes that singles gravitate toward based on price and location.

The two hotbeds for single living are Soma, by the ball park is ideal if you want to commute to 3rd ave or the peninsula/highway in general, and the Marina, which is closest to Crissy (but yes, a high skill level venue). A lot of NYC people go through city-withdrawal when they move, and they feel most at home in SoMa because it's most similar in urbanality. But, Marina and other nieghborhoods to consider are more charming, and there are cheaper options too that are not hotbeds, lots of neighborhoods.

Based on your comment about suburbia, I would not look anywhere outside SF, as the shock may be too much coming from NYC. Would be best to visit directly and figure out where you like to kite and party. Also give SF at least a year to transition before you decide if you like it here. I know plenty of New Yorkers who moved here and complained for about a year, but consistently the end up staying and loving it. I love it here and but will be a different pace from what you are used to.

[Thor29]

Shmed must be a rich dude.
The Marina is full of girls with designer handbags and insanely expensive shoes.
I like the Mission District better.
Closer to 101 for quick access to kiting, plus more "creative" type people.
I'd rather deal with the Latino gangsters and silly hipsters than the upper crust blueblood Ivy Leaguers. Those people scare me.

[sstarch1]

Shmed must be a rich dude.
The Marina is full of girls with designer handbags and insanely expensive shoes.
I like the Mission District better.
Closer to 101 for quick access to kiting, plus more "creative" type people.
I'd rather deal with the Latino gangsters and silly hipsters than the upper crust blueblood Ivy Leaguers. Those people scare me.

2nd-ed.

Plant yourself somewhere below 14/15th street between Potrero and Noe (Neighborhooods: Potrero Hill/Mission/Noe/Castro) - Access to to 280/80 and 101 is a breeze, plus you can find 1BRs and Studio(s) for a single guy in the $1,500/mo range (more or less). I actually dont understand the comment that SoMa is somehow most like NYC? Couldnt be farther from the truth. Only reason to live in SoMa, imho, is if you have season tickets to Giants or really need Cal/Train access.

[shmed]

I actually have never lived in the Marina but mention it because he said he wanted to walk to kiting and emphasized that he is single. Btw, if you ever live in NYC, you'll notice that the city is full of girls with expensive handbags and shoes and Ivy Leaguers, and most of my NYC friends moved to SoMa for some reason that can be debated. Portrero/Mission/Noe/Castro are great neighborhoods and frankly I prefer them, but I think of them as more uniquely SF than ultra-urban Soma.

[schwede]

I am from NYC and moved here a few years ago also and I think you would love the Marina. Besides being 5 minutes from one of the premiere Kite destinations in the world its a magical fun place to live. I find it to be one of the most diverse areas of the city where everyone is very friendly with that work hard play hard mentality. Its small enough where you will recognize everyone from the night before hanging out on Chestnut or Union the next day. I really feel like I am living in a real neighborhood. Oh and if you are single no better place to meet the best the Bay has to offer because they all come to you.

[Thor29]

That's what's great about SF - so many cool neighborhoods that there is something for almost everyone. One thing that Vivek needs to consider though is whether or not Chrissy is a good place for him to kite. It's expert level only and even some experts don't like to kite there given the extra risk involved. Something to think about if considering the Marina district.

[tgautier]

Nah it's simple - don't go to the Marina district. It's not really SF - just some sort of warped Socal wormhole inhabited by fembots.

You can always go there later if somehow you decide it's where you want to be.