Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, a regular column exploring what you can rent for a set dollar amount in different neighborhoods. Is one person's studio another person's townhouse? Let's find out. Today's price: $1,800.
↑ This apartment building in the Outer Richmond near Ocean Beach has taken to advertising "brand new units" for $1,800/month. There don’t seem to be any permits for new construction, although the old building (citc 1928) has had a pretty extensive remodel over the past year, including a soft-story upgrade. They’re small studios, but not the smallest we’ll see today, and situated right next to the beach, the Sutro Baths, and Lands End. No pets, though.
↑ Speaking of small, this studio in Lower Nob Hill is about as efficient as an efficiency unit gets. You are quite visibly sleeping in the kitchenette here, which itself is of downright portable dimensions. It’s $1,795/month for this little place, situated a few blocks from Grace Cathedral, the Dragon Gate, and Union Square. Pets are okay, as long as they’re friendly and under 40 pounds. Tough break for Scottish deerhound enthusiasts.
↑ It’s one thing to be sleeping very nearly in the kitchen, another to go without it entirely, as is the case with this Cole Valley SRO at the Carl Hotel. These places have popped up before, this time asking $1,700/month. The single rooms are short on amenities, but at least they afford a little extra space, and the garden views aren’t bad. No pets, though. Is it worth it?
↑ After scraping against the boundaries of what can be considered a full home with that last one, we’ll move up to something comparably much more accommodating in Presidio Terrace, with a jr one-bedroom unit on the top floor of an old Edwardian building asking $1,750/month. This one’s got a little class going for it, and it’ll even wave the pets in to boot. It’s also the biggest of the studios at 600 feet, which seems downright luxurious compared to some close quarters.
↑ Finally, you can always opt for an experiment in in-law living, this time in Silver Terrace. It’s one bed and one bath and actually looks fairly well put together, relative to most of the in-laws that pop up on Craigslist. It’s also the best deal at $1,600/month, although you’ve giving up the pets here too. You can never quite win them all at this game.