[cyman]

The trick is using university/college off-campus housing listing pages. You'll find great deals. Here's the one from SFSU: http://sfstate.och101.com/ "Spacious Studio in Nagley Mansion" $850.00 Also check UofSF, UCSF.

I wouldn't be discouraged by that offer. Like in business, some landlords prefer to wait for that A+ tenant and take a premium, whereas other deals in bulk or have cashflow problems so they need to fill the place sooner. There are HUGE price differences. In Toronto, my friends once rented a whole house in an upper class area (the Annex) for the price of a 1-bedroom apartment.