The Great SF Apartment Hunt Begins

While not quite as epic as searching for an apartment in Manhattan, this is the first time in 3 years that I've been looking for a place to rent and this time it is in a city that I don't know all that well. I've been reading up on neighborhoods, asking everyone's opinion, driving around when I get a chance - all hoping to figure out the answer to the elusive question, "where do I want to live?"

It took me a couple tries to get my location right while I was a renter in Seattle, so it would be nice not to go through the trial and error process again. I've been renting a room in a friend's apartment in Potrero Hill for about six months now, but somehow renting a room just isn't the same as having my own place. Fortunately, it also means that I'm not in a huge rush to find something - more focused on getting it right. I am driving my car down to San Francisco from Seattle early next week, so I need to find a place with parking (willing to pay extra). I'm debating a couple things:

• studio vs. 1 bedroom

• month-to-month or short-term lease vs. 1 year commitment

• does being walking distance to work matter?

• laundry in the unit?

• secure garage?

• could I survive without a dishwasher

To Rent or To Swap?

We have a house in Kirkland and a condo in Seattle, so if we're able to find someone willing to swap with us that might be a viable (and money-saving) option.