Hayes St, Hayes Valley

But Absinthe isn’t the only restaurant along this stretch of Hayes Street. There is also Patxi’s Chicago Pizza, a very good pizza though not worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as Absinthe; Sebo, a sushi joint; Stack’s, for pancakes; and Flipper’s, for gourmet hammies.

You also have lots of shopping opportunity here with boutiques like Nida, Propellor and Zeni Wear.

You are also within walk of places like the Orpheum and the SF Opera.

And if all of that spending makes you want to have a stiff drink, try one of the Hayes Street dives: famous Marlene’s (a gay bar); Place Pigale, and Noir Lounge.

I’ve not lived here, but I imagine that it would be really exciting being right in the middle of all this activity. Of course, the downside would be the usual city problems such as higher crime (this is pretty close to the Tenderloin), overcrowding, traffic and noise. I have heard that Hayes Valley is a place where young couples with kids come, but it just seems a little too close to the action for me.

The other problem here is the general problems of the city, which is high rent. I looked up what places are renting for around here and this is what I found: there was a one-bedroom right by Patricia’s Green going for $5500. There were some 2-bedrooms a block down on Fell near Market Street going for $3000 and $4000.

That is just crazy. For that rent you can buy a pretty nice place in the suburbs. (You would have to commute of course.) Even in the city, there are far less expensive places if you go south of Market or on the western end.

Overall, however, I can see the attraction even if I don’t think it is worth it.