San Francisco

It's similar to London for sure. I just got a shock as I have not rented in London in over 10 years so didn't realize how much the rent prices had risen! Also if you share it's much more reasonable

San Rafael is lovely, and you could cycle over the bridge no problem. You looking 20 mile return or 20 mile each way ? Oh also at night you'd have to get the bridge people to open the gates to allow you to cycle across. I do find it funny, gates shut as people jump off the bridge but because you are on a bike technically a vehicle they can't stop you. So moral of the story is, if you want to jump, turn up on a bike not foot (or do it during the day).

Yeah the commute would be fine. Done it before in the UK so I'm sure it would be even nicer going through Marin county ;-) though it would mean I get home quite late and not too sure how I feel about that.

I will bear that in mind if I'm feeling suicidal :-)