Ask HN: Avg studio apartment rental in the bay area

[maien]

Hi, I am moving to the bay area and wondering the average cost of rental around the area? I can looking for sub urban area and can tolerate 1-1.5 hours of commute. Any decent area you would suggest? I have a dog, but I only need a studio.

I want to search online but have no idea which area is safe/good.

thanks for any helps.

[aaroneous]

If you're really ok with that 1-1.5 hour commute, then you should be able to find a studio in a suburban neighborhood for around $700-$800 in cities like Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Novato (North Bay) or Vacaville, Fairfield ("Far East" Bay).

Anything in the inner Bay Area closer to SF//SJ//etc is going to run you $1000+ for a studio in a good neighborhood. If you're less picky about the neighborhood, then there are more options for less.

[maien]

I don't mind the commute, I just want a quiet and good neighborhood.

[evgen]

You might want to specify approximately where you will be working. There are directional traffic flows that make some areas easier options if you happen to be doing the reverse of the standard commute, and some places that become cheaper options if you are working on the penninsula or in the south bay vs. working in SF.

[maien]

I will be in San Rafael, likely not going to be in SJ.