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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Mar 27, 2017 19:03:22 GMT
My son is graduating this spring, and has plans to go to school in San Francisco. He was conditionally accepted into San Francisco State University, but because he is missing one year of foreign language, he will make that up at City College of San Francisco his first year there, and then transfer to SFSU after that. Since there is no dorm associated with CCSF, he will have to find an apartment. We're in the midwest, and have never been to SF. I have joined several facebook groups that advertise room shares and apartments for rent, but all of them seem to post last minute. Is that the norm? For example, right now, in late March, they are looking for move in dates of April and May. Since Noah won't need a spot until August, I assume there won't be any advertised until June or July. As a Mom from so far away, that makes me a bit nervous. We won't be able to make multiple trips out there to view a place, but I wonder if most of these kids use skype or facetime to interview each other?? Is there a particular area that you'd recommend we concentrate our search? He won't have a car, so walking distance to both CCSF and SFSU are best, or near a bus line. I've seen many listings for Ingleside and Park/Lake Merced.
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Post by mommaho on Mar 27, 2017 19:12:50 GMT
Is he by any chance going into the performing arts field? There are Facebook groups called Gypsy Housing they advertise rooms/apartments/houses for rent for a specific period of time. Some of the groups are only open to Performing Artists but there may be others!
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Post by cadoodlebug on Mar 27, 2017 19:18:11 GMT
You say you have never been to SF. Has your son? I'm curious why he is wanting to go to SF for school. I'm guess maybe a particular curriculum. Housing in SF is outrageously expensive so I'm guessing he will have to share a place or rent a room in a house. Best of luck in your hunt.
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Post by annabella on Mar 27, 2017 19:18:35 GMT
I'm not in San Francisco but do you remember that fire that burnt down that communal warehouse? In reading up on that I learned that there is very little available affordable housing in SF. Meaning it's very difficult to find an apt and one that is moderately priced. So that is why some young people ended up living in these types of warehouses. Why doesn't he do community college this summer where you live so he can start his freshman year off in a dorm at the right time. |
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Post by pondrunner on Mar 27, 2017 19:27:55 GMT
What's your budget for housing for your son?
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Mar 27, 2017 20:04:54 GMT
Is he by any chance going into the performing arts field? There are Facebook groups called Gypsy Housing they advertise rooms/apartments/houses for rent for a specific period of time. Some of the groups are only open to Performing Artists but there may be others! I'll look into that group, but, no, he isn't a theatre major. He's interested in studying cinematography or film editing, but also wants to see what other options there are that have a more stable income schedule. |
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Mar 27, 2017 20:07:55 GMT
You say you have never been to SF. Has your son? I'm curious why he is wanting to go to SF for school. I'm guess maybe a particular curriculum. Housing in SF is outrageously expensive so I'm guessing he will have to share a place or rent a room in a house. Best of luck in your hunt. I know it's sounds nuts, but he's trans, and we know the climate/culture/community will be a safe and affirming one for him. We are in the midwest, and even though our particular county is liberal, our state is not, and he is ready for a change. I'm ready for one as well, so I'm glad he feels courageous enough to make this leap. Our oldest went to school in NYC, also never having been there until the first week of college, and she hit the ground running, graduating early and doing really well. I believe Noah will follow that same lead. Fingers crossed!! |
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Post by mommaho on Mar 27, 2017 20:12:27 GMT
Cinematography or film editing could be considered part of performing arts depending on the groups. Best of luck. It is very expensive. My DD was there for 9 weeks and the Air BnB she rented was $600 a week and didn't have a kitchen. She was near the mission district though, not sure where the community college is from there. I know for a fact you would not want him directly in the mission district.
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Mar 27, 2017 20:13:27 GMT
I'm not in San Francisco but do you remember that fire that burnt down that communal warehouse? In reading up on that I learned that there is very little available affordable housing in SF. Meaning it's very difficult to find an apt and one that is moderately priced. So that is why some young people ended up living in these types of warehouses. Why doesn't he do community college this summer where you live so he can start his freshman year off in a dorm at the right time. He is in CC class right now, during his senior year, to make up for the foreign language credit that he needs. He started German his freshman year, but came out as trans at that time, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. That, along with all the social adjustments, therapy, and subsequent transitioning that happened in the next couple years, finishing that foreign language credit just slipped through the cracks. He'll finish his senior year with this community college foreign language year one credit under his belt, but he has to get a second year. The community college here sucks, to put it mildly. The staff is not LGBTQ friendly in the least, there is not a bathroom for him to use safely in the building where his class is located, and we're just making do while we have to. He can go to the community college in SF, and although housing will be pricey, the tuition is not. (It's actually free for CA residents) One year of low cost tuition while he takes a full load of general ed requirements will help us afford SFSU the next year. |
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Mar 27, 2017 20:16:08 GMT
What's your budget for housing for your son? Since the community college tuition is so inexpensive, I'm hoping we can get something for around $1000 a month, but obviously we'd prefer less. The dorms at SFSU are 13000 a year, so that's in line with what we'd be paying there anyway. Many of the shared rooms we're seeing are anywhere from 600-1500 a month, and most of those are 2 bedroom units with 2 people in each room. Ideally, he'd like to live in a place with 2 or 3 other people, just not all cis-males. He's clean, organized, and quiet, doesn't like to be around people who party or drink, but he's also very friendly and creative. He's the one of the most responsible kids I know, and he's a real care-taker for his friends. He's come such a long way these last few years, and I'm going to miss him like crazy!! |
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Post by mommaho on Mar 27, 2017 20:17:09 GMT
Best of luck to him (and you). San Fran is definitely more friendly to the LGBTQ community and I hope he does well!
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Mar 27, 2017 20:20:33 GMT
Best of luck to him (and you). San Fran is definitely more friendly to the LGBTQ community and I hope he does well! Thank you so much!! |
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Post by ~summer~ on Mar 27, 2017 20:56:38 GMT
I think he will find a wonderful community here that will welcome and accept him - this is an awesome town with so much to do and amazing people. We were just put and about yesterday and saw this in a park in Oakland  |
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Post by kristi on Mar 27, 2017 21:01:49 GMT
A friend of our son was accepted as a 2 year transfer from Community College. They went up last weekend to tour the school and even as a student his housing options are limited & very expensive. His parents are thinking he will need to commute from a different city.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Mar 27, 2017 21:15:57 GMT
I hate to throw water on your plan, but I seriously doubt you will find any kind of housing for the amount the dorms at SFSU are charging. San Francisco is very expensive.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Mar 27, 2017 21:19:11 GMT
You say you have never been to SF. Has your son? I'm curious why he is wanting to go to SF for school. I'm guess maybe a particular curriculum. Housing in SF is outrageously expensive so I'm guessing he will have to share a place or rent a room in a house. Best of luck in your hunt. I know it's sounds nuts, but he's trans, and we know the climate/culture/community will be a safe and affirming one for him. We are in the midwest, and even though our particular county is liberal, our state is not, and he is ready for a change. I'm ready for one as well, so I'm glad he feels courageous enough to make this leap. Our oldest went to school in NYC, also never having been there until the first week of college, and she hit the ground running, graduating early and doing really well. I believe Noah will follow that same lead. Fingers crossed!! Doesn't sound nuts at all. I hope it all works out well for him. |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,524
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Mar 27, 2017 21:23:37 GMT
Tuition isn't free for California residents. As for renting, he's probably better off renting a room outside SF and taking BART into the city.
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Post by lemondrop on Mar 27, 2017 21:35:12 GMT
Yes, SF is very expensive but I would think he will find a room share/apartment share for $1,000 a month. The best place to look is Craig's List and do a search of "Ingleside/SFSU/CCSF" Let's see if this link works - linkYou are looking in the right part of town. The further you go north in SF, the crazier the prices get. Public transportation is good, especially to/from City College. Make sure everything is accredited - I don't know all the particulars but I know SFCC was having some difficulties. A lot of the local kids go to Skyline - link It's a little further south. Of course, if Admissions at SF State is guiding you, I'm sure it's fine. I hope he has a wonderful time in San Francisco; it is certainly a city with much to offer. |
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Mar 27, 2017 22:14:10 GMT
Tuition isn't free for California residents. As for renting, he's probably better off renting a room outside SF and taking BART into the city. He'll be attending City College of San Francisco for one year, and they just recently announced that they are offering free tuition to all CA residents. My oldest visited SF a few summers ago, and she said the BART was pretty easy to navigate, so I'm assuming that will work out ok. |
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Mar 27, 2017 22:20:15 GMT
Yes, SF is very expensive but I would think he will find a room share/apartment share for $1,000 a month. The best place to look is Craig's List and do a search of "Ingleside/SFSU/CCSF" Let's see if this link works - linkYou are looking in the right part of town. The further you go north in SF, the crazier the prices get. Public transportation is good, especially to/from City College. Make sure everything is accredited - I don't know all the particulars but I know SFCC was having some difficulties. A lot of the local kids go to Skyline - link It's a little further south. Of course, if Admissions at SF State is guiding you, I'm sure it's fine. I hope he has a wonderful time in San Francisco; it is certainly a city with much to offer. SFSU recommended SFCC, but I will definitely look into Skyline. We just need a place for that first year, even just a semester, really. Unfortunately the dorms are so crowded that SFSU adviced that since transferring at semester would mean he wouldn't likely get a dorm, we thought we would just have him do one full year at a community college to save that money, then transfer sophomore year and hope for a dorm. I think I feel more secure with a dorm, as this apartment searching is so hard from out of state, but by that time he will know the city more and may have made enough connections so who knows? |
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Post by blueswede on Mar 27, 2017 22:39:59 GMT
Are you considering the residency requirements for California community colleges? Here is an example of one that is across the bay. Peralta Colleges |
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Post by bc2ca on Mar 27, 2017 22:54:16 GMT
Tuition isn't free for California residents. As for renting, he's probably better off renting a room outside SF and taking BART into the city. He'll be attending City College of San Francisco for one year, and they just recently announced that they are offering free tuition to all CA residents. My oldest visited SF a few summers ago, and she said the BART was pretty easy to navigate, so I'm assuming that will work out ok. It looks like the free tuition is for students who have been residents of San Francisco for a year, which is narrows things down quite a bit because the actual city is quite small.  The BART is easy to navigate and I've found the greater San Francisco area in general to have great public transportation. The young adults we know in San Francisco have all gotten their places by networking and social media. Their first place isn't always ideal (curtained off part of the kitchen was considered a bedroom), but they work into better places once there. Sublets are also something to consider. SaveSave |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,524
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Mar 28, 2017 0:11:46 GMT
Tuition isn't free for California residents. As for renting, he's probably better off renting a room outside SF and taking BART into the city. He'll be attending City College of San Francisco for one year, and they just recently announced that they are offering free tuition to all CA residents. My oldest visited SF a few summers ago, and she said the BART was pretty easy to navigate, so I'm assuming that will work out ok. Yes, they announced that but in all likelihood very few will be able to take advantage of it because of the cost of living there. Most of my friends who work in SF live in Oakland, Berkeley or Emeryville and they BART in. |
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,610 
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Post by katybee on Mar 28, 2017 0:50:20 GMT
Aww... I went to grad school at SFSU (education). I loved it. You're looking in all the right areas, but public transportation is so convenient in SF, any part of the city will work. He can also check out Daly City, which is very close to SFSU. Some of the less expensive areas are also a little more shady, but there are good pockets all over. SF is like any big city... you can be in a perfectly safe, nice area--walk one block over and be in the "hood." But if you're smart and take reasonable precautions, you'll be fine. You might want to look in Glen Park and Bernal Heights, and the Mission, as well.
But you're right--he'll probably have better luck later this summer. (The same would be true here around UT, as well).
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Post by ntsf on Mar 28, 2017 1:32:40 GMT
my computer is about to die.. so will reply more later. I live between city college and sfsu.. I have two kids who dealt with those systems. a shared living room in park merced.. is probably the cheapest.. but there is nothing under $1000 much.. nothing. email me.. cause I can give you the low down. tanorthcutt@gmail.com
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Post by ntsf on Mar 28, 2017 2:40:39 GMT
my computer is about to die.. so will reply more later. I live between city college and sfsu.. I have two kids who dealt with those systems. a shared living room in park merced.. is probably the cheapest.. but there is nothing under $1000 much.. nothing. email me.. cause I can give you the low down. tanorthcutt@gmail.com
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Post by lindywholoveskids on Mar 28, 2017 3:26:31 GMT
I hope your son finds affordable housing.
Craig's list might be avoided now because there have been dicey things happening.
We love living near the City ( that's what we call San Francisco)
The Bay Area is a beautiful place to live! BART is good but doesn't go everywhere.
When you come to visit, I recommend a rental car.
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Post by internetmama on Mar 28, 2017 3:35:21 GMT
Yes, be well studied about residency.. I know.in the UC system it's nearly impossible for an out of state student to become a resident for tuition rates (we are in Colorado and our daughter is at UCDavis). Just living in state is not enough but I don't know the city college rules. Just read the fine print and best wishes to your son. Here's some info from SFSU about residency requirements bulletin.sfsu.edu/policies-procedures/regulations-procedures/determination-residency/ |
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Post by pondrunner on Mar 28, 2017 4:14:08 GMT
I asked a friend who works in SF and lives in Pacifica what she would recommend for a young kid getting acquainted with the city and needing safe and trans friendly housing. She said that the SF LGBT Center is a great resource and may have housing boards, it's a progressive city but finding shared housing on Craigslist for a young trans kid from the Midwest, maybe finding some resources from your tribe is a good idea to make it a good move for everyone.
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,524
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Mar 28, 2017 13:53:52 GMT
Yes, be well studied about residency.. I know.in the UC system it's nearly impossible for an out of state student to become a resident for tuition rates (we are in Colorado and our daughter is at UCDavis). Just living in state is not enough but I don't know the city college rules. Just read the fine print and best wishes to your son. Here's some info from SFSU about residency requirements bulletin.sfsu.edu/policies-procedures/regulations-procedures/determination-residency/Maybe it's changed, but it used to be that you if you got a Ca driver's license after a year you were considered a resident. However, in doing so, you've given up being a resident in your home state. |
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