What $4,000 rents you 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 is another person’s townhouse? Today’s price: $4,000.

↑ This Victorian listing in Cow Hollow is actually nine listings. Yes, after an interior overhaul, this Steiner Street Victorian that was “built in 1900” (which could mean that it predates the 1906 earthquake and has no conclusive records) now fits nine apartments into its frame. The listing includes a pair of $4,000/month single-bedroom apartments—one nearly 600 square feet and the other just over 500. The renovation boasts “new foundation with seismic soft story upgrades, new roof, all new electric, gas and plumbing.” The ad also insists that it’s preserved the “turn of the century charm,” but the photos clearly reveal designs that are contemporary. No reference to pets. Alas.

↑ When it comes to unambiguous new construction, the Shipyard development in Bayview continues to see its fortunes (that is, the median asking price of its condos) rise. In this case, a “brand new luxury” two-bed and two-bath apartment on Innes Court goes for $4,000/month, netting nearly 1,200 square feet and an Amazon smart home system for new shipmates. “This is an exciting growing area with more services becoming available over time,” the ad promises. Note that the area of Hunters Point on which the Shipyard is built is not one in which radioactive materials were ever handled during the Navy days, so the developer contends that it’s safe; take from that what you will.

↑ Speaking of new homes, here’s a definitive oddball—a “brand new garden apartment” in Ingleside that looks like a scale model from a train set, complete with immaculate and carpet-like lawn in the yard. The landlord says it’s two beds and zero baths, but that would be both impossible and illegal; presumably that’s an error and there’s actually a facility in there somewhere. Fingers crossed. But none are pictured; in fact hardly any images of the place are featured at all in the ad. Despite this ambiguity, the offer is $4,000/month, no mention of pets.

↑ The Linea building on the backside of Hayes Valley is still fresh out of its construction phase, but there’s no mystery what’s going on here: The deal is a one-bed, one-bath condo on Buchanan Street for $3,995/month, and the place comes furnished. Note the contrast with new construction in Bayview; here the homes stretch out to only 550 square feet for this kind of money, though it tries to make up the difference with a few building amenities like “roof garden sundeck with outdoor kitchen/dining areas.” Another potential perk: “pets negotiable.”

↑ As usual, a potential renter’s money goes further in the Excelsior, where a 1,300-square-foot, four-bed, and one-bath house comes to $4,000/month. The ad is brief, promising only “quiet neighborhood and convenient location with easy access to freeway” and extensive parking space out front for four cars. The ad also tacks on one curious catch: “no living room.” No word about pets either.