keira-2007

Come on - I'll get kettle on.. and put the toilet on the rear cleanse cycle, followed by the oscillating rinse!!! (I kid you not!)
I haven't dared use any of the buttons - for fear it'd eat me alive! If you're not quick the bloody thing flushes before you've finished! And just try cleaning it before the flippin' lid closes! That things got a mind of its own. My daughter's scared of it!!!!

Tracym

If the lid randomly closes - sounds like your husband should be scared of it!

My insane schedule should be over shortly - I'll be in touch.

keira-2007

He has had a few near misses!
A business colleague of his came round the other day and used "our facilities" only he thought while he was weeing that he'd play with the buttons - big mistake - the lid shut and he p**ed all over the floor!! That'll learn him!!!

Tracym

Hope he cleaned it up!

At least I'll be safe from THAT problem, being female and all.

twiggy1984

I'll add another to GIantaxe and Cape Blue.

I've just been through the entire "trying to find someplace to live in SF hell" and trust me, it is hellish.

Expect lots of competition for reasonably priced apartments ($1500-$2300 one bedrooms), you'll have to put together a portfolio before you start looking.

Include:

1) Resume
2) Letter or employment with salary included.
3) Credit report - I know this is your problem and I'll address this in a second.
4) Checkbook handy to put a small amount down (approx $300) to show strong interest.
5) Some people will even include a statement of purpose (I'm dead serious about this)

Back to the credit report issue.

I had exactly the same problem and the only way I know to deal with it is to throw/show money at the landlords/realty company.

By this I mean, you can either offer to put down a substantial deposit (by law they're not allowed to charge more than 2x rent, but they can ask for the 2x rent in addition to first and last month's rent) OR if you have sufficient funds, you can give them a copy of your bank statement if you have funds totaling more than 5x monthly rent as well as the normal deposit amount.

Even with the above, it's not guaranteed. Many landlords just want a person with a seriously stable income (usually 3x rent) with good references. This is due to the fact that tenant's rights are incredibly strong in SF and oftentimes, trying to evict someone becomes a lengthy process which will cost a landlord an exorbitant sum.

Terribly sorry if this sounds really garbled. Let me know if there's any more info I can offer, but I can only really speak from an experiental point of view.

BEST OF LUCK!

dukeynorton

A statement of purpose! Do you have any examples of what some of them actually say? Only in America.

twiggy1984

hee hee. I know. Only in bloody SF!

They usually entail things like what you plan to do with your life, what your job is and where you see your career going, starting a family etc...

It is absolutely mindboggling!

Britinsac

Sounds like an absolute nightmare.. and when you do find somewhere in SF it might all fall down on you anyway... Many people have gone east and rented out in the cheaper areas.. I know people who commute from Sacramento. 2 hour commute.. but hey at least they have a place to come home to every night (late). And there is always Vacaville.. or if you have plenty of money Pleasanton and Livermore....

Poppy girl

I have been working in San Ramon and Danville today I would suggest either of those much nicer then Pleasanton or Livermore but thats my opinion.

DEE_UK

I moved from Birmingham to San Francisco just over a year ago. I was in the same dilemma as yourself. I checked out Craigslist, and when I emailed people I explained my situation. Many of the advertisers were private, and understanding. Those apartments which were managed, were not always helpful. Basically, I rented a large room sharing with a lovely person. This was the cheapest option for me, whilst I built up credit and savings. 3 months later I moved into my own rented apartment.

If theres anything else you need to know, then email me!

ZARTAN

renting in america is way easier than renting in britain. they dont require proof of address, proof of employment, or references. all they do is run a credit check on you, which will require a social security number. if you rent privately, its even better. best thing for you to do is ask around chinatown. private chinese landlords usually dont ask for too much as you long you can convince him that you can pay. you dont actually need credit to rent an apartment. as long as you dont have bad credit.

Bob

but as mentioned a few times, it does depend on where you want to live, sure if you want to live in a dive you won't have as much effort, but if you want to live somewhere nice and which has more competition your going to have to play their games.

ZARTAN

ive lived in some very nice places in usa and only needed a credit check. whereas in the uk i was required to pay 6 months rent in advance if i didnt show proof of employment, references. and even then, you still needed proof of address. i dont know what the uk's obsession is with proof of address.

crunch

I managed to get a mortgage(ok before all this sub prime business) with no us credit so renting will be ok.

I would book into a motel 6 for a couple weeks, then check out the boards at heath food shops. there are always roommate wanted ads. They may well be hairylegged veggy dykes but at least you have a roof over ur head.

after 6 months or so and if you arent on the next plane to blighty youll have a little credit history and cash to move into your own place.

winkworth

Hi there,

I'm a hairy legged, veggy dyke - do you know anyone who wants to rent a room? Well one out of the three anyway!