San Francisco
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- blastofv0
thanks saint - yeah I'll drop you an email after work. i appreciate it
- arthur0
come to think of it, I don't know that I've ever seen SF mentioned on here. No San Francisco representatives on NT then?
blastofv
(Feb 2 07, 06:49)It's been talked about at length, but it's been awhile.
I lived there for 28 years, but was finally happy to leave 6 years ago. I was back there a couple weeks ago visiting friends.
The only thing I envy about the place is the climate because I like to garden, otherwise, I am always happy to get out of there. I'm bitter - I miss the SF of the 80's and early 90's.
- sander0
san francisco has the largest number of graphic designers and DJs per capita of any city in the world.
- subversve0
San Francisco is expensive if you live an expensive lifestyle. my girlfriend and i may go out and spend $60 on salads and wine at a restaurant, but we can just as easily find a $6 burrito that will feed us for the day.
appartments can be expensive if you you don't like to drive or take public transportation, but that's also a lifestyle choice.
work is really busy for ui designers (both interaction and visual designers). it's actually funny because everyone's constantly refering clients to eachother because everyone's too busy... not sure about print though. i don't do too much print work, but new companies come up all the time who need identities and such. i don't personally use it, but i know a few people who've done well by craigslist.
hope this helps.
- draydog0
Yeah, I live in Oakland (the Town) too and BART into the SF for work. Oakland housing is way more affordable by Bay Area standards, got a two bedroom apt in a duplex with a big yard for less than you can get a studio for in SF.
- gramme0
there are actually a lot of print shops in SF, more than anywhere else I know of except maybe NYC...but they rarely hire, and if they do it's usually through the buddy system as some mentioned above. It's the most competitive market I've ever seen. I used to want to live there, not so much anymore.
- arseni0
It's all about networking... I've been freelancing for 6 years here, never worked for a company, only for myself. The competition is big, but you will find work if you're good. Not really sure about job market, but i think it's pretty slow, actually. As far as ads go, it's probably 5 times slower than in NY.
- arseni0
It's all about networking... I've been freelancing for 6 years here, never worked for a company, only for myself. The competition is big, but you will find work if you're good. Not really sure about job market, but i think it's pretty slow, actually. As far as ads go, it's probably 5 times slower than in NY.
- ninjasavant0
I live and work in San Jose (south bay). Love the city and would live there in a heartbeat if it were more practical.
If you're coming from Boston the cost of living shouldn't be too much of a shock. Also consider expanding your job hunt to the peninsula. There's a ton of stuff going on in Palo Alto and Mountain View from what I hear.
Any current Bay Area peeps want to organize a drinks night?
- hugelogo0
Move to the city first, if it's too much for you move to the outskirts later, otherwise your gonna miss out on the experience.
In SF expect to pay from 1200-1500 for a small /decent size 1 bedroom. Of course there is always that one guy who has some wacked out deal. Anything above 1500 will surely be good.
Keep in mind they pay more. It's not at all unheard of to ask for 3000 a week freelance. At worst they will knock you back to 2000.
Parking can be fucked. Unless you enjoy moving your car on street cleaning days and circling the block for 15 minutes. You'll find that you don't need it after a while except for grocery shopping and exploring the outskirts. Some places have parking spots for an extra 100-200.
Interactive work is a dime a dozen. It's back with a vengeance. Print work is here but not a prevalent unless you take a full time gig. Many reputable shops too.
Super city. It will take at least 3 years to soak it all up. Beautiful weather, culture, nature and food.
Start packing!
- blastofv0
i'll be out there to scope it out in a few weeks, so if you all haven't hooked up a drinks night yet, I'll post for it//
so would the Aquent route be a good approach for a foot in the door? I'm definitely picking up on the 'know someone and you're good' theme.
- blastofv0
right on hugelogo - that's the plan. thanks for the info.
- subversve0
Any current Bay Area peeps want to organize a drinks night?
ninjasavant
(Feb 2 07, 12:37)i'm not so interested in orgnizing one, but if it does happen i'll see about showing up.
- acescence0
i lived there for 8 years and really miss it. it's expensive, but not as expensive as nyc! was there recently for a friends wedding and he got a nice place just over the bay bridge, kind of no mans land, but it's developing fast. it's such a beautiful place, and you have a variety of climates all fairly close together. come july/august you might be thinking wtf, where's summer? but it's usually super nice in september/october when it's getting cold elsewhere. as far as the job situation, i had no problems picking up freelance work, but then post dot-com fallout it was rough. i'm sure things have bounced back by now. it's very laid back, so if you're on top of things you can really dominate, but i did get frustrated at times with the "it's all good bro" attitude. i'll probably end up back there at some point in the future though.
- same0
moved away last year.
I liked the city, lots to do.
But in the end I am not a city guy and really hated renting. Also the people in SF are pretty much either...... Yuppie Snobs, Secret Sex perverts and homeless. Or a combo.One thing I dont miss is the attitude of people in SF. Lots of people there have this attitude that if you dont live in SF and live in the heartland, you are a moron.
God you have no idea the countless times I heard people bash so many decent hard working folks of America... SF is full of SMUG.
Another thing I noticed about people in Cali was the, I will be nice to you only if it benefits me attitude.
Watch the Southpark episode where they move to SF, it is over the top.. but honestly it is so true.
But anyway. There are some decent good people in SF, lots to do, lots to eat, good agencies... I would recommend moving there.. even if it is for a few years.
Do i miss it.. somewhat, but I love living in the Northwest now.. Owning a home.., living affordably, and being around people who are still trendy and cool, but genuinely nice and not smug.
- negropolitan0
i'm oakland born and raised. i've been doing freelance and contract work (mostly print) since '01. i'd rather be working for a big wig, but i manage with a part-time hustle with a major shipping company, whose name rhymes with FedEx (excellent benefits!). everyones got to have a plan b, right? i think the job market's ripe, especially if you're into the interactive thang. me? i just hate writing cover letters. easy lounge, luka's taproom, and willie mays skybox lounge (emeryville) are some places where i get my andy capp on.
- version30
“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”
-Mark Twain
- blastofv0
yeah, I'm looking forward to some nice nippy July sun.
but I'll be running towards the fog after this week's Noreaster up here in Boston.
- same0
Watch this episode of south park...
http://www.dailymotion.com/visit…
apart from the Smelling of farts,, it is scary how true it is about SF.
Everything they talk about in the epside I have directly heard and seen many many times.