Is San Francisco overrated?

There is an odd distribution of affluence and poverty, perhaps more so than anywhere else I have seen in the U.S. I personally think it is worth it, with oceans, mountains, great cities, great food, and cultural diversity all within an arm's reach. I like the people in the area a lot, and am never lacking in things to do. The biggest challenge (aside from paying California prices, of course) is deciding on WHAT fun activity I want to do on a given weekend.

One doesn't have to live in the city itself, of course. You can live in one of the surrounding areas for a bit less and enjoy the city on the weekends. I have always been a big fan of the East Bay myself. A place like Piedmont or Lake Merritt can offer you somewhat lower rents while still getting you to the City in less than half an hour. You can also go a bit further east through the Caldecutt and find far more traditional and in some cases affordable suburban living. (Martinez I think is the steal of the area in terms of home prices and costs of living.)

Agreed! There is just as much joy in living outside of the city as there is in the city itself. It is simply a matter of what you are looking for - this could be a cliched statement in some other places but is poignant and true in the Bay Area. If you are not in the city, you are in the mountains. If you are not in the mountains, you are on the beach. If you are not on the beach, you are in another cool city or different mountains. Or maybe you are in wine country. Or maybe you are in suburbia but have access to it all - and a cool view!

Regardless of where you wind up, you can't really go wrong no matter where you go. It is simply a matter of finding the right fit.

I personally think that living in the City is something that everyone in the Bay Area should do at least for one summer when they are young, so that they can experience what SF really has to offer. I wouldn't want to live there all the time though. I'm not sure it would really work once you are married for example. Too expensive. Too many distractions for young and old alike. Much better to live in the surroundings areas and visit the city when something pulls you there.

If by summer, you mean August-September...then yes, I would love to live there :) I really like San Francisco, but the biggest drawbacks are the incessant cold, the prices, and my own personal desire for a lifestyle that offers access to outdoor activities and allows me to have a car.

You know, a city you might like is Piedmont. It is very leafy--kind of like the Berkeley Hills, but a little bit more affordable. You can be in the city in less than half an hour, or to Tilden in 15. Parking isn't bad. Its got great views of the city. Sounds like your kind of place. Of course, I dont' know Palo Alto that well, but maybe you are in a part that is more outdorsy than the parts around the Standford Campus that I have been to. (I'm a Cal girl so it not constitiutionaly averse to the Cardinal. Although they do have a nice clean campus.)

Interesting - I'll have to check it out. Good advice. Is Piedmont part of Oakland, or is it its own separate city?

Piedmont is its own city, although it is surrounded by Oakland. It is just south of the 24 on the Alameda side of the Caldecutt Tunnel. I'm not sure though how much more affordable it is than the Berkeley Hills though--my impression from visiting a friend there was that it was just as expensive.