patrick.net

Oh yeah, I'd also appreciate it if my nicer car didn't get stolen on the first day of living there. Apparently that's a recurring theme in Redwood City.

Which apparently has YoY increases in crime:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Redwood-City-California.html

The nicer rentals in RWC are not in the flat near ECR. Rent a small 2BR house -- there are lots of those in the neighborhoods near ADLP between Edgewood and Woodside. Or look at apartments in the 280 corridor.

If you're really wanting to stay closer to El Camino, then look at San Carlos or Belmont to the north or Menlo to the south. There are a ton of condos/townhouses usually renting in Menlo east of ECR, and in a lot lower crime area than RWC.

Shouldn't the correct location for this post be in Craigslist, under "housing wanted"?

I'd second Randy - there are nice places in Menlo Park just off Ravenswood east of El Camino. Noel St. and the surrounding area. There are also pockets of condos, some of which may be rentals, near 280 in San Carlos. Near downtown San Mateo is nicer than downtown RWC, too.

My boyfriend rents in Pleasanton and from what I can tell, almost all the apartment stock there are decent to rather nice. Never had any burglary issues.

I'd suggest trying a different methodology--I'm not sure how you are searching for a place to live, but try something else. Craigslist is pretty good. Actually, local newspapers can also be pretty good--older folks who own just one rental property tend to post in newspapers rather than going through a service or posting on the net. And older folks with just one rental property make very nice landlords, generally speaking--pay your rent on time, make arrangements for maintenance, and they will treat you like gold.

You might also want to avoid apartment complexes if you can. A condoplex with a few rentals will do you better, as will a single family home.

This is a weird thread. Can we have another?

Congratulations,
Nine on topic posts in a row (on a housing blog). Let's count how many there will be befpre it degenerates into a High School-esque blabbing about boyfriends and shallow lives.

DAiryQUeen Says:

> I knew a frustrated guy who couldn’t rent a
> decent place for $5,000 in the city. Instead,
> he paid 33% over asking in the HAIGHT for
> this nice SFH for $2 mil. WOW.

Sounds like a great deal!!

For only about $15,000 (PITI + Maint) a month the guy has a nice looking older home in the Hayes Valley where he is just steps from gang members selling crack in the housing projects, drunk homeless guys in Buena Vista park and heroin addicted homeless teens who walk up and down Haight on a regular basis…

DAQU

Don't skirt the issue. Have you stacked up some colored wooden blocks and taught yourself how a "median" works yet?

eburbed,

Put your destiny in your own hands. I'm sure you can find someone else who would like an "affordable" house. Make your own condo (secure parking included!).
$975000 Two seperate homes on one lot (redwood city)

justapeon Says:
May 21st, 2007 at 10:15 am
Congratulations,
"Nine on topic posts in a row (on a housing blog). Let’s count how many there will be befpre it degenerates into a High School-esque blabbing about boyfriends and shallow lives. "

Didn't this post break that chain?

You guys are really getting creative with the graphics. That's funny.

Renting on the Peninsula is miserable. It's hard to find a decent place to live. I moved last year and the search was just awful. You do get a better place if you buy but the premium is ridiculous.

The rental stock is really poor because except for luxury apartments it's a financially irrational decision for the landlord to rent property. For single family houses or small plexes, the rental income pales in comparison to the market value of the property. It makes more sense to sell the place and invest elsewhere. The true believers who are willing to rent for rental income at 2-3% of property value are not going to be upgrading the units to something decent. When you have a business that has negative economic returns (essentially accounting profits - cost of capital) it makes zero sense to put in additional capital.

I think this logic applies to even large apartment buildings since they could be sold to developers who will replace the apartment structure with condos. There maybe zoning problems to doing the conversion but the negative returns on capital to improve the apartment building still holds.

The absurd rental price to purchase price to ratio means renting is miserable since the only the irrational rent. The problem is exacerbated if you are looking to rent a single family home because an sane landlord with a SFH should sell it.

I hope to leave the Bay Area next year. I believe I will be able to substantially improve my standard of living by moving to an area where the real estate market is less crazy.

Actually, local newspapers can also be pretty good–older folks who own just one rental property tend to post in newspapers rather than going through a service or posting on the net.

Whoa... a newspaper. I'd never thought of that. Will have to give it a try!

Having spent all of my time here in the Bay Area living in Santa Clara, I'm really surprised than San Mateo is so blah.

Screw high school, let's talk high end chef's knives.

"really want to belong to the “in-crowd”

Please stop! I just sprayed my milk all over the desk.

I grew up on the peninsula and even managed property there for 8 years.
There is very little "IN" there anymore. Trader Joes.....puleeese. Eating at overpriced eateries, naaah.

The only thing slightly cool are the kiters on the NE side of the San Mateo bridge.

To keep this topical. My advice: Get the lowdown from other residents on how well a place is renting and then play hardball.

NW side

Finding a good rental place on the peninsula does suck... but it sure sucks less than house hunting. I've seen several places I'd be interested in renting, and none that don't make me sick to my stomache at the idea of buying (at anything near the prices they're asking.)