What $6,500 rents you in SF 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: $6,500.

Via Craigslist

There’s (almost) no point dwelling on the fact that this is a surreal amount of money to spend on renting a home. But at such a staggering price point, let’s see what $6,400 per month gets you in SF. For example, this “huge four-bed, three-bath house with incredible views” in the Sunset—and they’re serious when they say “huge,” measuring over 2,400 square feet. Really, the ad isn’t kidding with the “huge” here: “huge kitchen with granite countertop,” “dining/huge living room combo with vaulted high ceilings” and even “huge hallway closet for storage.” Although the exterior suggests a flat modernist design, the interiors are surprisingly compartmentalized. Alas, the aforementioned hugeness doesn’t include room for pets.

Via Craigslist

What measure is a penthouse? These days pretty much any home on the top floor of almost any building may get the P-word branded to it, but this Noe Valley home defers and, correctly, markets itself as a “top-floor corner flat” on the corner of Castro and Jersey, which nevertheless demands the penthouse-grade price of $6,500 per month. It comes with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, complete with dark-stained woodwork, stained glass accents, tile backsplash, (decorative) fireplaces, and hardwood floors. Although the ad emphasizes the word “bright,” for the most part the place looks somewhat closed off in a way that suggests privacy and seclusion.

Via Craigslist

On the other hand, this “Mission penthouse [with] elevator access” and “private terrace and roof deck” goes the full bore with its top-floor pedigree. At two beds and two baths, this is probably significantly smaller than the former home, although the lack of specific dimensions leaves figures up in the air. “This light-filled full floor residence features an open-floor plan with oversize floor to ceiling sliding glass window” that opens up to the private terrace, which, to be clear, is separate from the roof deck. Phew. The deal is $6,490 per month (hope that extra $10 goes someplace special!) and it includes both cats and dogs in the equation.

On the subject of bright homes with huge windows, the critical selling point for this three-bed, two-and-a-half-bath house in the Richmond is the spacious atrium off the backside, looking out onto the backyard and alongside the two-car garage included in the package, all part of a “two -tory, 1916 Craftsman-style beauty” on 15th Avenue with “updated gourmet kitchen,” sunroom, hardwood floors, and “ample storage.” But the fireplace is only decorative and there’s no pets allowed. You win some, you lose some. It’s $6,500 per month in any case.

And finally, just south of Stern Grove and north of SFSU in Merced Manor we have a “beautifully remodeled four-bed, three-bath home” on 25th Avenue also going for $6,500 per month. It promises the “harmonious pairing of interesting architecture of the period, with the modern designs of today.” It’s partially furnished and can stock up on more upon request, but once again pet owners are out of luck.