+1, roommates. I did that when I was out there. And +1 to your strategy of biting the bullet and paying what it costs to be happy, provided you can afford it o

+1, roommates. I did that when I was out there. And +1 to your strategy of biting the bullet and paying what it costs to be happy, provided you can afford it of course. I'd prioritize keeping the commute short, because that wears on you every day. On the other hand, I used to work in Fremont and live in Fremont, and the commute was nice and short, and rents are decent, but... Fremont? Not such a happening place. At least a 20 minute drive away from all my friends except the one who was my roommate at the time. So the ideal is probably to live in SF and work in SF, or live in Mountain View/Palo Alto (but not East Palo Alto, unless things have really changed since I left) and work there as well. Or live in Mountain View and work in your spare room. ;)