BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi again, you can see I've got a lot on my plate what with posting two theads at once. Things aren't usually this chaotic on my trip! I always get really good advice here though, so here goes.

I am planning on heading back to the states (San Francisco), probably in late January, and besides the emotional trauma of coming to the end of the trip, which has been discussed on BnA at length, I was wondering how people manage the actual arrival if you, like me, gave up your living space to go? Any ideas for short term housing options in SF or the East Bay? (I don't have anyone I want to impose on.) The vacation rentals on craigslist are as expensive as hotels. For regular rentals and sublets, my past experience tells me that most people in SF are so picky about interviewing roommates they're not likely to rent to someone they haven't met, even for a short term sublet. I was going to post an ad but then I thought, what if it attracts some creep who just wants to get a solo female traveler to stay with him, and I don't find out until I arrive? Originally I thought I'd stay in a hostel for a few days while I hunt for something, but now I realize most hostels will refuse you if you have a "local" ID. I'm not sure if they'd be more sympathetic if you are a returning traveler or not. Hmmm... perhaps a flophouse? Seriously, has anyone here ever stayed in one of SF's residence hotels (like the Basque) while apartment hunting? Was it ok?

I know this is probably all a little silly; people relocate for jobs and things all the time so there must be a way to handle it, it's just that I've never done it before.

Erika..after I came back I stayed with a cousin so that helped and then I sent an email to freinds saying am looking for short term places to stay while I look for a job. One of my freinds mom offered a room in her house and it worked out for me.

-Craigs list seems to be the best choice. (maybe instead of an interview you can send the potencial roommates your blog or something which tells them about you).

-Maybe you can do a skype chat with them

-Why not show your passport at the local hostel and show that you have been traveling. I doubt they are that strict about local addresses.

Also, we will be getting together a bunch of BNA members end of Jan (25,26th) so do come join us so that you don't feel so isolated after coming back.

I've heard of hostels refusing "locals' - but how would they know that youre not from NYC - just be aware of what address you use to register with and show a passport not a drivers licence

Couchsurf while looking?

Thanks for the invite, Madhu, I'm definitely up for a BnA gathering! That's a really good idea about using Skype... like a long distance roommate interview. I think I'm going to try contacting the hostel in advance and just be upfront about my situation, see what they say... they might get this question all the time.

Couchsurfing might work in a pinch too; there've got to be a ton of members in SFBay. I'm lucky that I'm going to be returning to probably the most supportive city in the US for world travelers: lots of Bootsnall'ers, lots of Couchsurfers, lots of people who've traveled in general. That's going to make the whole coming home experience so much better... ppl don't think it's "weird" or lack interest in it there.