San Francisco

Oh, just as an FYI, I lived in Munich for years. There were homeless etc... then suddenly they mostly vanished. I'm still not 100% sure the local police didn't just round them all up and drop them over in East Germany.

*footnote: I've no idea what happened, I'm not blaming the police, it's just Munich is so "clean" etc... that the expat's have even nicknamed it "Toytown Germany"

I've no idea how to solve the problem where everyone can live in such a resource scarce place as SF without turning it into a city of concrete. Thankfully it's not my job, but if I do ever think of a solution I'll do it!

San Franciscans do not want to solve the problem.

They're unwilling to increase density by building higher, and seem to have a NIMBY approach to development in an attempt to preserve the character of their neighbourhoods.

I truly think that San Francisco has a great opportunity to define development and then encourage it, so that they get a truly great city in the future that is capable of easing it's housing issues.

For example I think mandating that all new property is 6-stories high, in-line with a significant number of European cities and in-principle (read: Pattern Language by Ishikawa, etc) the ideal density accommodation, would not significantly change the character of any area but would increase available space 50%.

San Franciscans seem fundamentally unwilling to do anything though, and only recently voted to restrict further development.

Ultimately... they are choosing to have the conditions they have. The rent prices they have.

The homeless problem is an entirely separate problem not wholly related to the scarcity of land. From what we heard from multiple sources, the issue was mostly health care related. At a certain level of struggle and poverty you have no health care and no support. But... if you can push yourself one rung lower and be homeless then health care is provided for you for free. So do you choose to struggle to work, to live in poverty with the property prices as they are and still suffer health issues as you age, or do you give up the possessions and property and get the health care?

Yes homeless from other cities have been bussed out and a lot ended in San Francisco, but it's the free health care that keeps them there and locks them into that layer of society.

This dude has a good point about Oakland having a lot of awesome stuff going on! But San Francisco isn't dead at all, in my opinion. I'm from the states, lived a lot of places in different parts of the country, and San Francisco is still in my top 3 cities. Anyone who gets the chance to check out the bay area should

Best blogs about San Francisco, from The Guardian.

thanks MM... some of them should be good reading :)

^ Still getting my head around the fact you're there now :(

My bad for being unable to get to your leaving bash. (< not a euph)

At least you can be 'on here' while 'over there' :)

You and me both. I've been here (almost) 2 months and I still feel like I'm just on an extended work trip. Even though I have my own apt etc...

It took me at least 4 months to settle when I went back to Australia for a while. Are there any new non-work activities/interests (hate the word 'hobbies') you could take up to make you feel more included/settled?

I just wonder if it's too hard at the moment not to compare the friendliest cycling forum on the planet with those (lesser ones) in the states?

Knitting groups?

I have to say, I am not looking forward to posting on the forum when everyone is asleep when I move over there ha. Thanks for the blogs, Alex. Bookmarked!

Well the SFFixed lot don't seem too bad. I just really cannot get on with the layout of their forum. Oh and they actually ride, and mostly seem to live in Oakland.

I've been here long enough now that I am starting to look at various groups (from meetup.com) etc... to meet new people.

I have to say, I am not looking forward to posting on the forum when everyone is asleep when I move over there ha.

Welcome to my (side of the) world.

I have to say, I am not looking forward to posting on the forum when everyone is asleep when I move over there ha. Thanks for the blogs, Alex. Bookmarked!

Well the SFFixed lot don't seem too bad. I just really cannot get on with the layout of their forum. Oh and they actually ride, and mostly seem to live in Oakland.

I've been here long enough now that I am starting to look at various groups (from meetup.com) etc... to meet new people.
Well at least you'll have each other :)

Not sure how practical it would be for you to adopt one, but walking a dog is a really great way to meet like-minded folk (maybe even some single women!) and for getting to know a neighbourhood.

Jake and pet pooch are unrelated comments btw :)

hahaha

Jake and pet pooch are unrelated comments btw :)

Hahaha rep given.

As you've said, sffixed just doesn't have the banter of lfgss and you're right, the layout is bollucks. I think the first thing I'll do is go for a ride with the Rapha Cafe guys as they're apparently most welcoming.

JB, I guess we can use this thread for now instead of SFFixed.

I doubt there's enough of us on here to warrant asking for a sf sub-forum

Haha, I doubt that, also. I'm finding it really difficult to find an apt that I'd be happy to live in alone. Obviously I'm just searching online and maybe Sausalito is a bit too small for online real estate. I don't think I'll be able to beat actually going there, in a car, walking into a letting agency and talking to someone.

Also, Kirth, if you don't mind me asking, how did you handle credit scoring etc when putting down a deposit for an apt? I obviously have no US based credit score?!

And also, is there such a thing as furnished apts? I don't want to buy loads of furniture!

so credit scoring I was lucky. firstly I have an american express, so when I got here I called them and they gave me a new US one without a credit check. This started building my credit score immediately (and quite highly).

secondly, I own my apartment in London so used that as proof.

thirdly, I didn't rent privately. so I'm paying slightly over the odds, but it made it easier to get a place.

Furnished do exist, but they are normally short stay and cost $$$

Hmm, just spoken to my boss and he said he'll be putting me up in a hotel for a month when I first arrive which is a relief, and madre said she will come out with me to help me organise stuff.

Managed to speak to an agency since posting my last message and they said either no score, or a positive score is fine, as long as you have proof of income, in most cases anyway. :-)

Impressive planning JB. It's going to be fab.

It's (almost) always sunny here, however that keeps lulling me into thinking it's warm. Get out of the skyscrapers and suddenly wind hits you and you realize it's bloody freezing. (by freezing I mean rapha light longsleeve cold during day, and heavy jacket at night)

So... the tenderloin might be sketchy as fuck but Jesus 6th south of market area is scary.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Emergency-Crew-Responding-to-Reported-Shooting-at-REI-in-San-Francisco-215295931.html

Good bar there though, the Mars Bar on 6th and Brannan.

Is the Arrow Bar on Sixth and Market still going? That place is great.