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Noe St. is a fairly old and historical street that has some of San Francisco’s most steep hills and slopes. Noe St. is filled with spacious and expensive homes that have lovely views of San Francisco. It is a perfect street to raise a family with its tranquility and convenient location, near public transportation, schools, parks, restaurants and shops. The main public bus line that runs on Noe St. is the 24, but it is also adjacent to Market St., which is filled with all kinds of public transportation. Noe St. enjoys a reputation of being safe, suburban and sunny. Although Noe St. is adjacent to streets and neighborhoods of cultural diversity, the residents of this area are predominantly Caucasians (they are nice and they welcome diversity).

Castro St. is one of the most historical and interesting streets in San Francisco. It is renowned for its tolerance for homosexuality! Castro Street stretches from the upper Noe Valley to central Market St. (3-4 miles). The areas where Castro St. crosses Noe Valley, is filled with spacious expensive homes with lovely views of San Francisco. This area of Castro St. relatively has a fine reputation for raising families. The areas where Castro St. crosses with 19th St. all the way to Market St. is filled with cute diversities of restaurants, local businesses and shops-it always seems to be sunny in this area of town. This area is also a tourist attraction- close to market and Dolores Park. This area of the Castro is also interesting, especially because of its history and shops. Some of the public bus lines and transportation systems that run near and on the Castro are the 24, F and the underground street car system. The Castro always has interesting night life with its Castro Theater and the nearby shops, restaurants and Dolores Park-perfect for singles and couples.

Market St., a vibrant San Francisco street, stretches from the Castro/Noe Valley District to the Embarcadero (3-4 miles). Market St. is very accessible and is filled with public bus line and transportation. Market St. is vibrant, dynamic and infamous! Southern Market, which is the area around the Castro is filled with affordable apartments and an interesting environment of tolerance and diversity. Towards the Civic Center where Market is adjacent to City Hall all the way to Powell St. (tourist area); it is known as the Tenderloin area. This area of Market is renowned and infamous for having the largest population of homeless, drug addicts and prostitutes (it is known as the red light district of San Francisco). The area where Market intersects with Powell all the way to the Embarcadero is always vibrant and filled with tourists night and day. This area is made of powerful big businesses, malls, restaurants and other tourist attractions. The apartments and studios in this are pricey but are located in the center of everything! This area of market is one of the centers of night life in San Francisco- perfect for singles and couples!

Geneva Ave
Geneva Ave is a long street that stretches for almost 3 miles from Mission to beyond San Bruno Ave. The main bus lines that run near and on Geneva are the 9x, 43 and 29. Geneva is near schools and public transportations and the picturesque McLaren Park. It is filled with local tiny shops, supermarkets and restaurants (mostly Asian and Hispanic). Most of the street is also residential-filled with affordable housing and apartments. These houses and apartments are fairly old, but none go back to the early 1900s. Although some parts of Geneva are quiet, most of southern Geneva is infamous for gang and violent activities, especially during the morning and night times. The area where Geneva intersects with Ocean is busy since it is a center of public transportation. The main attraction of Geneva is cheap housing! Geneva is a not so highly recommended area for raising children.

Columbus Street
Columbus St. is a historical and one of the most attractive tourist attractions in San Francisco. Columbus St. is covered with Italian and Mediterranean restaurants, schools, businesses and churches- it is known as the little Italy of San Francisco. Since the late 18th century, the Italian immigrants were very prominent in this area and so helped to shape the neighborhood. During the daytime Columbus St. is very lively and festive, especially for tourists. It is located near cable cars and public transportation and one of the richest neighborhoods in San Francisco (Pacific Heights). The Italian/Mediterranean restaurants in this area are some of the best in the city. Columbus St. is mostly composed of tourist sites and businesses, especially restaurants, but its cross streets, such as Lombard St. are some of the wealthiest and prestigious streets (only the wealthy own property on these streets). There a few apartments that are on Columbus St. and they mostly suit couples or singles. Annual Italian festivals are held on Columbus St. and they are one of the liveliest and fun festivals in the city. Columbus St. is also near Chinatown, downtown and the Marina district.

California Street
California St. is one of the longest and most historical streets of San Francisco, extending from the east side of town (Richmond District) to downtown San Francisco (the center). The east side of California St. is filled with spacious and highly livable houses, apartments and flats that are suitable for seniors, families and couples. Many public buses run on or near California St. The main bus line for California is the number 2. The east side which is mostly residential with some local stores and businesses is generally more peaceful, but towards the west side and further downtown is the more commercial and metropolitan part of the street. The part of California St. that extends beyond Van Ness Ave is infamous for its hills and very steep slopes. This western part of California St. that extends towards downtown and Chinatown offers great views, but one of the most crowded and poorest housing conditions in San Francisco. This area is also one of the busiest and hardest areas to drive through in the city. The hills and steep slopes scare tourists and locals (parking is impossible-that’s why most people in the area take public buses or the historical and very popular cable cars). California St. offers a unique, diverse and dynamic atmosphere and is moderately safe.

Geary Blvd.
Geary blvd. is one of the longest and busiest streets of San Francisco, extending from the Richmond District (near point Lobos) to downtown (the industrial and center). The main public bus line that runs frequently on Geary is the 38. The east side of Geary is made up of mostly houses, flats and apartments, but towards the west and downtown, it becomes more commercial and industrial, with its local and bigger businesses (diverse). Geary runs through Japan town and downtown. These areas have apartments and flats that would better suit couples and singles, especially because it is very near night time activities. Generally the east side of Geary is more ideal for families and senior, since it’s less busy and more sub-urban. Overall Geary blvd. has a reputation for diversity and dynamics.

Eucalyptus Drive
Eucalyptus dr. is a small street, extending less than a mile, in the Sunset District of San Francisco. Eucalyptus dr. and its cross streets are mostly sub-urban and made up of spacious and highly livable homes. On Eucalyptus dr. is located one of the nationally renowned public high schools, Lowell High School. The adorable Stonestown Galleria (shopping mall), small parks and the M public bus line are around or within three blocks of walking distance from Eucalyptus dr. During the weekends it is more serene and peaceful. Generally it’s very peaceful and calm in the neighborhood. The high school students in the vicinity have a high reputation to be very academically focused. The area is very safe and is a perfect neighborhood for senior citizens and for raising families. It is adjacent to Ocean Beach and 19th Ave, which is one of the most busiest and major streets of San Francisco. It is a serene and beautiful neighborhood.

9th Ave
9th Ave extends from Ocean Beach beyond UCSF Medical Center and is one of the busiest streets in the Sunset District of San Francisco. Although 9th Ave isn’t as busy as 19th Ave, it is filled with a variety of restaurants, shops and stores, especially oriental. The public bus line N and number 44 and 43 run on or around the street. There several apartment buildings and houses on 9th Ave and they are usually rated as moderately livable spaces. The prices in the area are also reasonable- not too expensive nor cheap. It is walking distance to Golden Gate Park, less than 10 blocks from UCSF hospital and 10 blocks away from 19th Ave. During the weekdays it can be fairly busy, but the weekends are more peaceful. Generally the cross street and the neighborhood have a good reputation for housing families and seniors. The only difficulty in this area is parking, but that is true for most of San Francisco.

19th Ave
19th Ave is one of the busiest and major areas in San Francisco. It has some fairly old houses and apartments (dating back no earlier than the 1920s) that are privileged to be located around convenient public transportation. There are many small oriental businesses and public school on and around 19th Ave. It is always congested with traffic, especially during the week days, but not as much during the weekends. In general 19th Ave and its cross streets have a moderate reputation for being neighborhoods that offer a moderate environment for senior citizens and families. Perhaps couples and singles who enjoy more of the night life would not find that type of night time activity in this area. 19th Ave extends from the Sunset District to the Richmond and Marina Districts of San Francisco, all of which have good reputations.

Dolores Street
Dolores St. stretches for about three miles and is located between Church St. and Guerrero St. Dolores St. is one of the sunniest, most historical and romantic streets in San Francisco. Because of its geography and location, Dolores St. is rarely covered in fog. Although Dolores St. is a fairly historical neighborhood-spanning back through the Spanish-colonial times, the many Victorian houses and flats on Dolores St. are valuable and expensive for their good livable conditions and fabulous views of San Francisco. The reason why there so many beautiful Victorian and Mediterranean styled houses on and around Dolores, is because it was first settled by the Spanish colonizing aristocracy. Dolores St. is peaceful and has an aesthetic appeal with its beautiful old Victorian and Mediterranean styled houses and palm streets, which is reminiscent to old Spain. Dolores St. is one block away from Church St. and two blocks away from Valencia St., both of which are filled with a variety of shops, restaurants and schools. Dolores St. is a perfect street to raise a family. It is walking distance to public underground trains and land buses and a walk through the neighborhood and the local park, Dolores St. is very romantic.

Irving Street
Irving St. is one of the liveliest streets of San Francisco’s Sunset District (mostly suburban). It is adjacent to the University of California San Francisco, one of the most prestigious medical schools and hospitals in the nation. Irving St. has a plethora of restaurants and shops (Italian, Hispanic, Indian, Thai…. and more). Irving Street is mostly made up of restaurants and small business, but the intersecting streets are filled with beautiful livable houses, flats and apartments. During the weekends the Irving St. is not as busy as the weekdays. Irving intersects with the Golden Gate Park, which is a lovely place to take walks-very aesthetic. It is perfect place to eat out. The cost living in the neighborhood is reasonable and is reasonable for families, couples and senior citizens. Public buses (main line is number 44) run on and intersect with Irving Street. The neighborhood is fairly new-established less than 120 years ago.

Valencia Street
Valencia St. stretches for a span of almost 2.5 miles and is located between Mission St. and Guerrero St. The main public bus line that runs on the street is the number 26. Valencia is adjacent to Bart (public underground train), Mission Street and the Civic Center (the local capital). Valencia isn’t as busy and congested with traffic as Mission St., but it is filled with a variety of exotic restaurants from Italian to Middle Eastern and cute clothing boutiques. Valencia St. is walking distance to more unique boutiques, churches, schools and Dolores Park (one of the most beautiful parks in San Francisco). Valencia St. has more apartments than houses and they are big enough to accommodate couples, senior citizens and small families of ideally four. It is a lively street to walk dogs and socialize, especially during the weekdays. It is less busy during the weekends. The cost of living on Valencia St. is reasonable and is not as cheap as Mission St. but not as expensive as other popular streets in San Francisco. It is a moderately safe environment on Valencia St.

Van Ness Avenue
Van Ness extends almost over 3 miles and is one of the most charming and historical, yet major and busiest areas in San Francisco. It’s easily accessible as many public bus lines and underground transportation run along or across Van Ness. City Hall, the War Memorial Opera House, the Asian Art Museum, the Main Library, Davies Symphony Hall, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Galileo High School Academy surround and make Van Ness an industrial and cultural center. Theaters, private schools, small parks, small hotels, culturally diverse stores and local and major businesses and Hispanic, Asian, Mediterranean and European restaurants make up Van Ness Avenue. In spite of its busy environment, cultural events and its historical and aesthetic attractions make Van Ness one of the most desirable places to live in San Francisco. The streets crossing Van Ness are some of the most aesthetic and are filled with some of the most beautiful mansions, houses, flats and apartments in San Francisco and they definitely don’t sell for pretty prices! Van Ness is a great area for singles, because they will never be bored! Some of the streets crossing Van Ness are pleasant places to raise families for the crime rates are not too high and the aesthetic and convenient environment and cultural diversity is generally desirable. Although prices are high in this area and the houses, flats and apartments are old, they are aesthetically designed and durable-many are beautiful Victorian-styled. During the day time and weekdays, Van Ness is always busy, but during the evenings and weekends it isn’t as busy and residents still do have times of tranquility. However, Van Ness also borders the Tenderloin, which is one of the most infamous neighborhoods of crime in San Francisco.

Silver Street
Silver St. is adjacent to the street where I was raised. I frequented Silver St. as I visited my friend who lived in that area. The 44 public bus line runs on Silver, which is over 2 miles long and although it is mostly residential, it is close to accessible super markets and local businesses and stores. In the corner of Upper Silver (Silver and Mission) is a Jewish home for the elderly and offers great volunteer opportunities. Although Silver St. is mostly residential, the lower part is more infamous for gang activity and crime- it isn’t safe to walk home after dark. Upper Silver is a mediocre area to settle with family, whereas the lower part is not as safe! The many houses on Silver are small and fairly old, but none reach back all the way to the 1900s. The street has no aesthetic appeal nor does it have exciting events happening at anytime, but it is easy to get somewhere else from Silver.

Mission Street

I have lived and grown up on Mission St. It is one of the most accessible and major streets of San Francisco covering over 8 miles. Several public bus lines as well as underground Bart (trains) run on Mission St.-the main bus line is the number 14. Mission Street has the most affordable and oldest housing in San Francisco-in fact it is one of the most historical streets in the San Francisco. There are some houses and more apartments and although they are not the best in San Francisco, many are not as bad as the slums. The upper part of Mission Street extends from the border of Daly City to Silver St. and is mostly residential with some schools, Hispanic restaurants and oriental supermarkets and clothing stores. The heart of Mission is the busiest and most crowded and extends from Silver to 14th Street and is filled with schools, apartments and Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern and exotic businesses and supermarkets. Mission Street is filled with diverse businesses that sell a variety of merchandise ranging from clothing to furniture at the most affordable prices in San Francisco. Mission’s lower part covers the area from 14th Street all the way to downtown San Francisco and has mostly local and corporate businesses and a few apartment buildings. Although Mission Street offers a culturally diverse and enriching environment, I believe the upper Mission is safer than the heart when it comes to raising children. Gang activity is common in the areas where Mission crosses 18th St. and 24th St., since those areas have schools and competitions, but in general Mission St. is a mediocre area for raising families.