Making gross generalizations about entire neighborhoods and cities is generally a bad idea. The bay area is extremely diverse, and neighborhoods themselves can

Making gross generalizations about entire neighborhoods and cities is generally a bad idea. The bay area is extremely diverse, and neighborhoods themselves can feel quite different from block to block. My suggestion is that you simply visit these neighborhoods (both during the day and at night) and see how you feel. It might be tempting to line up an apartment sight-unseen, but its really impossible to gauge a neighborhood's energy remotely. The only cardinal rule is: stay reasonably close to the BART line if you expect to commute into SF from your home.