Where is the best place to live in the San Francisco Bay Area?

to HELL with napa valley...that is SOOO FAR out there in the middle of nowhere...with the exception of Novato and myabe Sta Rosa..I would avoid ALL of north bay...you will ALWAYS have to cross the $4 dollar bridge to get home after your trip to Oakland or SF...Napa Valley is FAR from any sports venue..it has ZERO rapid commute transit...not even close...

as far as i am concerned, San Jose, Dublin, Pleasanton, San Rafael is good because the bridge there connects to East Bay, Walnut Creek, daly City and Colma, maybe even San Mateo and Burlingame are pretty decent. Maybe Hayward and Fremont could be part of that list...Brentwood and Discovery bay are also great neighborhoods but are also pretty far from Oakland let alone SF..

cities to AVOID: parts of Concord, parts of Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg, parts of Antioch, Richmond as a whole, San Pablo and El Cerrito should also be avoided completely.

remember that the bay Area is a very HIGH priced market...do you have the financial ability to pay 400K for a 2 bedroom /900sq ft condo in the East Bay? keep in mind that THAT price is MUCH higher in SF proper as well as in Marin Cty (from Sausalito to Novato)..

obviously if I could afford to live in Tiburon, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Oakland Hills, Berkeley or in the 2 thousand dollar apts of SF, I would...as is not the case...I have a decent military house in which I pay no rent or mortgage in Concord.

Each time a person thinks of San Francisco feels at a huge International Orange-coloured link, a park spanning a lot more than 1,000 acres or perhaps a town wherever contemporary artwork and tradition and if you should be interested in this city then this is the place to start hotelbye . Among the things for what you should visit San Francisco is PIER 39. From wonderful views and a sea of sea lions to chowder bread plates and California wines, your trip to San Francisco begins at PIER 39. This place is the absolute most visited location in San Francisco. It gives two levels of dining, activity, buying and attractions, all surrounded by irresistible views of the town and the bay. Situated along the historical San Francisco waterfront, PIER 39's spot supplies the picture perfect foundation for postcard opinions of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the famous town skyline.

Top choice: Marin -- Larkspur, San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Bolinas, some parts of San Rafael

2nd Choice: San Francisco -- Richmond District, Sunset District (Seacliff or St. Francis Wood areas if you can afford it).

Burlingame - Trousdale Drive

San Mateo - Hillsdale

Belmont

The east bay is a lot of traffic congestion and the inevitable commute across the Bay Bridge, and consequently more affordable

South Bay - Atherton (millionaire acres); San Jose is okay

Do not live in Oakland or lower than Market Street. If you want to live on the outskirts of SF, move to either Daly City or Colma. Daly City has some great apartments, and houses to reach, and is easy to get to bart because traffic is horrible. I have lived in Daly City for the past 8 years, and love it here. You are close to the ocean, close to the city and public transit, like Bart, and all the busses run through here. It is also much, much cooler than the east bay. When Walnut Creek or Pleasant Hill have over 100 degrees, it is about 65-70 at my apartment. The only downfall to being here is the fog, but it keeps it cool, and it is not constant. Good luck and welcome to SF area.

I recommend San Jose ,CA So, Bay Area.

hmmm, first off the girl who said dont move to Oakland acts like all of Oakland is bad. There are some parts of Oakland such as Grand Lake, Lake Merritt, Piedmont that are farely good. Oh and try Emeryville; all these places are close to each other....im not sure of teh cost of rent thoigh....

South Bay

San Jose

Just avoid living in places like the Tenderloin ( not sure if I spelled it right )/Hunter's Point and your just fine . Daly City is a good place to live depends on which part of it though :D

Come to the South Bay and i could give you a tour.

I grew up in San Carlos- a wonderful small town. Belmont is right next door and nice, too. I also lived in Rewood City which is bigger and has more shopping and stuff