Living in the inner richmond in your 20s, stay or move?
Hi! I’ve been living in the Inner Richmond for about a year, and as my lease is coming to an end, I’m trying to decide whether I should stay or look for an open room somewhere else in the city (Mission, Haight, Castro, etc.). I’d love to hear other people’s experiences living in the Richmond, especially in your mid 20s.
Personally, I’ve found that the specific part of the Inner Richmond I’m in doesn’t actually feel close to most of the things I enjoy doing. My favorite workout studios/gym are either about a 30 minute walk or a 30 minute bus ride away. I really appreciate how quiet, safe, and family friendly the neighborhood is, but I also feel like living here has made me stay in a lot more.
I love spending time in the mission, castro, haight, divis area, etc. but getting there by bus (e.g. mission) usually takes an hour or more, and even Ubers can take 25–30 minutes. I am born and raised here in the bay area and I love the city so so much, but lately I’ve been feeling really disconnected from the people, places, and routines that make me happiest (also weather wise - the cloudiness drives me crazy!). Even transit near me doesn’t feel that convenient because most trips involve multiple connections anyway. Clement is an okay getaway to grab some food or visit a couple shops but I've worn out going to Clement and kinda over it.
The hard part is that my current living situation itself is actually pretty good: quiet apartment, in unit laundry, dishwasher, living room space, big kitchen, etc. I also have a car, which has helped, but I don’t particularly enjoy driving when I’m in the city because parking in the Inner Richmond can be just as stressful too.
I’m feeling torn between staying in a comfortable setup with roommates I already know versus finding a place in a neighborhood that might fit my lifestyle better. Has anyone else gone through something similar? Did moving neighborhoods make a big difference socially/lifestyle-wise, or did you end up appreciating the Richmond more over time?