How to Find Cheap Housing in San Francisco (Part 0)

San Francisco is one of America's most beautiful cities -- and one of its most expensive. The cost of living, which fluctuates with the fortunes of various internet companies, rivals that of New York City.

Why is housing in SF so expensive?

The reasons for San Francisco's high prices are complex, but mostly have to do with local regulation of rental and real estate markets. In particular, San Francisco's high sticker price stems from interactions between rent control, zoning, the permitting process, community engagement, and affordable housing policies. The policies that created San Francisco's high sticker price don't simply raise prices for everyone; rather, they form a complex web of pitfalls and opportunities.

Those who know the system can use it to their benefit, living in good surroundings at minimal cost. Those who don't pay $3500 for a one bedroom apartment.

Gas, grass or ass: there are no free rides

The hallowed rules of hitchhiking also apply to housing. People who don't know the city tend to pay for housing with money, but people who know their way around can pay with knowledge or time instead. Nobody can tell you how to land in SF and immediately start paying less than $1000 for an apartment, but I can tell you how to use knowledge or time to achieve the same result.

The parts of this series are as follows:

Part 1: Anatomy of a Clusterfuck: Why SF's Sticker Price is So High
Part 2: Why Most Vacant Housing Is Not on Craigslist, and How to Find It
Part 3: How to Run the Gauntlet for Affordable Housing

Steemit is not an SF-specific website. Before I write a 3-part series on reducing housing costs, I need to know that there is demand. If this post receives at least 30 upvotes, I will proceed with the first part of the series. If there aren't 30 interested steemers, there's no point.

(images from wikimedia & SF board of supervisors website)