SF: Sisters are Doing it for Themselves- Single Women Buyers, part 2: Inner Richmond
The inner Richmond district is a perfect spot for a single gal- or a single guy for that matter. Not only is the area very safe, it’s also an easy location to settle into: Geary takes you downtown quickly, you can access the Presidio, the Golden Gate Park and the beach, or you can stay in your own hood and sample the myriad offerings.
Golden Gate Park
USF is close by, as is their amazing Koret Center Gym. Take in the high culture of the DeYoung Museum or the edification at the Academy of Sciences. You also have staples like Eats for breakfast, The Plough and Stars for libations and live music, and Green Apple Books for books, music, live readings, and book signings, all lining up next to long blocks of Chinese fruit and seafood markets, Russian bakeries, taquerias, coffee houses, Korean barbeques and Japanese sake lounges (do not miss the coconut fritters at Burmese Super Star). Clearly, this is a very ethnically diverse neighborhood.
The Inner Richmond also offers low crime, relative quiet once you get a block off Geary, and the comfort of a bustling sort of suburb. It feels like a community- the sort of place a single could make friends easily, and perhaps before long (if desired) be single no more. Check out a movie about the Richmond District here.
Because the area hosts so many favorite restaurants and bars, parking after 5pm is more than a challenge. Frankly, it’s abysmal. Be warned, single person: if you buy your first home in this area and you drive, try to get a unit that comes with parking or start thinking about renting a parking spot as part of your monthly expenses. Believe me, you don’t want to just “try your luck” in this area: the parking gods do not respond to prayers or offerings. If you don’t drive, you’ll find everything you need in short walking distance (including a Trader Joe’s at Masonic and Geary), plus MUNI serves the area well and some lines run all night.
The condo and TIC offerings in the Inner Richmond are not cheap, but their certainly not as crazy as those on Russian Hill or Pacific Heights. Here are a few units on the market now.
Elena Gorky said:
Anna, I saw the original article in the Chronicle about this (as I am a single woman in the market to buy) and really like your spin. Looking forward to other neighborhoods you’d recommend as I am in Napa and do not know the city as well as I need to to make a good decision.
Thanks,
Elena
June 16, 2007 9:40 PM