House hunting is a crazy thing here in San Francisco. The tech boom out in Silicone Valley has meant a huge change in the property market. Because of people like Ollie, my husband, there has been a big influx of people who have moved here to work and want to live in a cool area. So for a studio apartment in what was a pretty dodgy area, now with cafes and tiny restaurants popping up, you are looking at paying between 2,500- 3,000 US dollars a month. And that is before you factor in parking, expenses and that there are no laundries in the buildings. This rapid increase in rents has resulted protests over the last few months- the influx of people earning a good salary has meant hasty gentrification of neighbourhoods, forcing families who have rented there for years to be evicted. People say it is killing the creative and artistic heritage of the city as no one can afford to live centrally. Others say that is is bringing money to the city. You can read more about it here and I would be interested in your thoughts.

Anyway, my days look like this at the moment.

Trying to set up viewings of apartments and walking from place to place to find the same groups of people arrive with me. Some have cash in hand ready to seal the deal if the place looks good. Our expectations have quickly fallen from a two bedroom apartment so people can come to stay, down to a studio apartment- sorry visitors, it’s going to be a tight squeeze in our bed instead.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, I’m heading out to another couple now!