[lucasjake]

Small bit of help here:

It turns out the magic word for finding short term places in SF is to search "furnished apartments" in yelp or google rather than "short term apartments," even if you could care less about furnishings.

Secondly, consider Berkeley or some part outside of SF that isn't as strict on credit checks/salary etc. The rent is also much cheaper, and you still have access to the city via BART.

Thirdly, use http://www.mapthatpad.com/ to keep a handle of all your apartment leads through craigslist. Lots of landlords are flakes and repost, or don't get back to you.

Lastly, start networking at places like ttps://www.noisebridge.net and ask around about 'hacker houses' that are common in SF, but not necessarily found by googling.