1. Go green
The Bay Area is more car-focused than European cities, but if you get a bike and use public transport you can get by without a car. Free shuttles connect the suburban areas and you can transport your bike on public transport (Bart, Caltrain) for free.
2. Look east
If you do buy a car however, dealers and repair workshops are cheaper in the East Bay. As are dentists, housing, etc. Driving off-hours, and avoiding the more congested streets can save you a lot of time. As well as getting a Fastrak toll tag for your car, if you are crossing the bridges regularly.
3. Rent smart
Generally the East and South Bay are more affordable than San Francisco. Look for housing offers on craigslist and supost (a Stanford buy/sell list). If you qualify, you can also apply for affordable housing at the San Francisco Mayor’s Office, but you have to be lucky to win the lottery; there are hundreds of applications for each room. However, the application process is simple and free – so why not try?
4. Buy local
Get fruit and vegetables at your local Farmers’ Market, take turns with friends.
5. Buy and sell second-hand
There is a huge market for used goods in the Bay Area! Look at yard sales and online forums (craigslist and supost) for furniture and household accessories. Stanford University has its own permanent yard sale where you can get everything from furniture to computer parts. Freecycle.org and NextDoor.com are great neighborhood resources for free or gently used items at low prices. Many offices also have “for sale” mailing lists, which are especially trustworthy since the sellers and buyers are colleagues. You can get outdoor gear at considerably reduced prices at SaC and REI’s monthly garage sales (returned gear, members only).
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