[lastofus]

Don't rule out living in Oakland, especially around the Lake Merritt area. It's a nice downtown area (getting nicer), rent will be cheaper, and you can often get to downtown SF faster than from other parts of SF (like from the Richmond district).

[andkon]

Agreed, with one caveat: Lake Merritt is sleeeeeepy. If you're around 30 or have kids, it'd probably be your scene, but there are definitely better parts of Oakland for younger folks.