Curbed Comparisons: What $4,300 rents in San Francisco right now

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: $4,300.

↑ Just off the Greenwich Street steps in North Beach and in the literal shadow of Coit Tower (depending on the time of day), there’s a one-bedroom, one-bath “cottage” with a view of the waterfront and hillside greenery. It also comes with an antique fireplace that’s still in working order, and for some odd reason, two closets side by side in the same bedroom. The mossy brick patio adds to the faux-rural vibe. No dogs allowed (that would be too genuinely rural), but cats are okay. The price: $4,300.

↑ For anyone who craves the urban and urbane over would-be ruralism, move on over to the Mission and this appealing three-level live/work loft on Alabama Street for $4,295. The place features two bedrooms and two baths, but with a seemingly narrow profile that leaves the layout stacked up like the layers of a cake. The ad claims it’s “in no way typical of the Inner Mission,” however potential renters want to interpret that. Dogs are allowed, but not cats.

↑ In what would appear to be the mirror universe counterpart of the previous home, this attic apartment on Duncan Street in the Mission once again keeps the layout nice and tidy on one floor, admits cats but not dogs, keeps it all tucked behind a lovely blue Victorian facade, and slightly discounts the price to $4,250/month. It’s two bedrooms and two baths. The bedrooms take up most of the floor plan’s approximately 900 square feet. The rent includes the wi-fi.

↑ Renters who just plain need more room can look west toward Monterey Heights, around the corner from both Stern Grove and St. Francis Wood, where this three-bed, one-and-a-half-bathroom house (with the seashell-like curve to its shingled roof and water-light southwestern style garden) falls into the same price point for $4,250/month. The nice, wide shouldered arches inside open up the space even more. Pets are “subject to owner approbation,” so hopefully any tenants want to bring along are extra cute.

↑ Finally, this boxy blue house with the Juliet balconies in Midtown Terrace immediately south of Twin Peaks asks $4,295/month, “nestled in a woodsy area of town.” Three beds and two and a half baths, plus some downright strange but entirely striking eccentricities, like the square key-shaped entryway to the living room, the brick bar next to the fireplace, or entire walls of built-ins. All pets are welcome, no catches at all.