If you’d love to rent an apartment in San Francisco to live on your own but fear you’ll never be able to afford to do so, we’ve got great news for you! By knowing the areas to look to find the most affordable rental properties to make the most of the range of free recreational opportunities that SF offers, you may find that your dream of living in the city is closer than you think.

Affordable Neighborhoods in San Francisco

While, in general, rents are relatively high in San Francisco, there are many neighborhoods that offer much more affordable properties. The most affordable areas to rent in San Francisco include:

• Tenderloin
• Outer Sunset
• Richmond

If you think you can’t afford to live on your own in San Francisco, take a look at the properties available for rent in these neighborhoods: you may find your dream could become a reality. While these areas may not be in the city center or viewed as the “trendiest” in SF, you may well be able to find apartments here that aren’t just much more affordable but significantly more spacious than those in more “desirable” neighborhoods. Plus, they tend to be quieter, and you’re much more likely to have access to a parking space.

Great Salaries on Offer

If you’d love to live in San Francisco but aren’t sure whether you could afford the rent payable on a property, you’ll be reassured to know that the average salary in San Francisco is notably high, currently standing at around $113,000. This means that work in the region typically pays very well, making apartments potentially more affordable.

Some of the most popular roles in San Francisco include software engineer, project manager, data scientist, and senior product manager. Plus, many major corporations here are constantly on the lookout for new talent.

What About the Cost of Renter’s Insurance?

The affordability factor continues when it comes to renter’s insurance. You may be surprised that the average cost of renters insurance in San Francisco is about $22/month – and this will typically cover your possessions (including your furniture and digital devices) both in and outside the home. Having a renter’s insurance policy may not be legally mandatory, but some landlords require it as a condition of the tenancy. Plus, it’s a small price to pay for the protection and peace of mind it provides.

Making Choices

Being realistic about what you can afford is one of the most important elements of realizing your goal of living on your own in San Francisco. Think about, for example, whether you could forego having a vehicle and rely on the (great) public transport in the city – or even get around by bike –  to save money. You could save in the region of $500 a month simply by ditching your vehicle and its associated expenses. And while a big, airy apartment sounds nice, a smaller space with a lower rent is likely to be best, especially if you work full-time and won’t actually be spending a great deal of time at home.

It’s a good idea, too, to consider places with rent control restrictions in place. This means that landlords are limited in the extent to which they can raise the rent annually, so you’ll be more confident that you can afford the tenancy long-term.

Create a Budget – and Stick to It

Creating and sticking to a household budget is absolutely vital to afford to live on your own in SF, which isn’t known for being cheap regarding the cost of living. In your budget, include a comprehensive breakdown of all your income and expenses so you can see exactly what you need to plan for, how much money to put aside to cover your bills, and where you can save.

Simple things like buying groceries in bulk and preparing your meals at home can make a big difference. Plus, you can save money by making the most of the city’s many free entertainment opportunities, like free admission days at museums, summer street fairs, and the miles of hiking and cycling trails.

Affording Your Perfect Home in Fog City

There are so many reasons to live in vibrant San Francisco, from the great jobs on offer to the range of entertainment and recreational activities available to the exceptional public transport that runs the length and breadth of the city. Not to mention that SF is one of the most iconic cityscapes in the world. While it’s certainly not the cheapest place to live in the US, there are affordable rental properties to be found and plenty of ways to make life here pretty cost-effective. Meaning you’ll get to fulfill your goal of living on your own in SF while still enjoying exciting city life.