SF Bay Area

[metamorph]

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I am thinking about moving to SF and was wondering about the job market for a general dentist. I didn't know if the influx of dentists every year from the dental school (UCSF) would make finding a part time associate position difficult. Also, it would be great to work on the peninsula so I would not have to cross any bridges.

Any comments on the area and job market are appreciated.

 

[armorshell]

It's incredibly saturated and a difficult market to break into. Most new grads I've talked to who practice in the actual city either hang up a shingle and take their chances, buy out an old timers practice and all the charts or do hygiene for a couple of years trying to break into an associate position.

There's a building downtown called 450 Sutter (The House of Pain) which has over 100 dentists practicing out of it. You may do better as far as real, meaty information goes by contacting SFDS or the alumni associations of the two dental schools in SF, UCSF and University of the Pacific regarding job openings and practices for sale.

 

[djeffreyt]

I'll start off with the caveat that neither Armor or I plan to practice in the city, so we're not trying to scare you off. But when I look in the posted ads, I rarely see anything for office sales or associateships in the city. They almost always are in the surrounding areas north and east and south of SF. Maybe if you have some experience, you might have an easier time that first time graduates trying for a job, but the truth is you're not really just competing with 1st time grads for good jobs...there are plenty of people looking to move up whenever the opportunity arises.

 

[metamorph]

Thanks--sounds like most cities with a dental school.

Suburbs south of the city would be fine, as long as they are within driving distance or BART accessible to UCSF for my wife (also a dentist).

We are planning a trip this summer to explore areas.
Any suggestions on safe suburbs south of the city?

 

[djeffreyt]

Half Moon Bay and Montara are my favorite little towns south of SF, but they aren't BART and Busable. I know a bunch of people live in San Mateo and seem to like it. I think Bart goes through there too.

 

[armorshell]

Note that not only is San Francisco saturated, but all the nice areas that one might want to live adjacent to the city are the same way, if not more saturated, mostly because of how desirable and livable they are.

 

[metamorph]

Half Moon Bay and Montara are my favorite little towns south of SF, but they aren't BART and Busable. I know a bunch of people live in San Mateo and seem to like it. I think Bart goes through there too.

Thanks for the info on the areas.
I will check out Montara and San Mateo. What do you think of Pacifica?

San Mateo seems like it might be the most convenient to UCSF as well as some suburbs as far away as Sunnyvale (<50 mins in traffic). Is the travel time way off?

Armor we already have plans to move, so I will have to find whatever I can... hopefully not too far away.

 

[armorshell]

Oh well if plans are already set in stone then you do what you have to do. Working out of one of the dental schools would be another option.

 

[Daurang]

Sunnyvale is pretty much San Jose (my hometown), which is too far away as you get stuck in horrendous traffic most of the day except late evening. Sunnyvale on N101 will get you into SF in 40 minutes IF traffic is good but NOT in daily traffic. Monterrey, Pacifica, Capitola, and Half Moon Bay is too far; again you will get sick of the daily commute. San Mateo is really expensive for housing. Try Oakland, Alameda, Newark instead. Check out www.burbed.com and get used to the ridiculous prices you'll be paying for your shack before making up your mind on where to settle.

 

[metamorph]

Thanks Durang. I needed to know the reality of what traffic was like in SF.
I currently drive 45 mins every day, but I cannot be stuck in a car for much more than that.

I don't think crossing any of the bridges would make my wife too happy.
Oakland is definitely out-maybe I am just biased. Newark too far from UCSF (wife).

Checked out the rents for most areas on the Peninsula (is that the right term?) and I am okay with the rates--it will only be for a few years and I have a fairly decent reserve.

I appreciate all the responses.👍

Also, is Pacifica really that far from UCSF...
Google Driving directions to Pacifica, CA
14.2 mi &#8211; about 26 mins

I guess traffic could double this to 52 mins.

 

[armorshell]

You could always live in SF and reverse commute to wherever you practice.

 

[metamorph]

Thanks for all the info. I booked our flight and we will spend 1 week exploring the areas you have all mentioned this summer.

Thanks.

 

[Daurang]

I didn't realize Pacifica is that close to SF; give a drive.

 

[dentwannabe]

i think about this at times. i really liked the area.

for you sf guys, how is santa clara or San Jose, that area?

 

[crazy_sherm]

Thanks Durang. I needed to know the reality of what traffic was like in SF.
I currently drive 45 mins every day, but I cannot be stuck in a car for much more than that.

I don't think crossing any of the bridges would make my wife too happy.
Oakland is definitely out-maybe I am just biased. Newark too far from UCSF (wife).

Checked out the rents for most areas on the Peninsula (is that the right term?) and I am okay with the rates--it will only be for a few years and I have a fairly decent reserve.

I appreciate all the responses.👍

Also, is Pacifica really that far from UCSF...
Google Driving directions to Pacifica, CA
14.2 mi &#8211; about 26 mins

I guess traffic could double this to 52 mins.

Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and the other coastal towns are nice if you like the ocean, surfing, biking, hiking, etc. The biggest problem with them is that you're reliant on Hwy 1 to get to SF. Usually its not a problem, but there's this one section in between Pacifica and SF called Devil's Slide that crumbles away into the ocean every few years. You end up having to take a really long detour for a few months while they fix the road.

If you like more urban, definitely move closer to the bay side of the Peninsula. Milbrae (has BART access) and Burlingame are nice if you don't want to move all the way down to San Mateo.

There are some parts of Oakland that are actually very nice - areas around Piedmont, Montclaire, and up in the hills are all relatively safe. Oakland is very large area wise, but the only parts that make the news are where it sucks. I used to live in Oakland a few years before moving back to SF. It would take me less time door to door to get to work in downtown SF from my place in Oakland than it did from where I live now. Part of the problem is SF traffic moves pretty slow.

i think about this at times. i really liked the area.

for you sf guys, how is santa clara or San Jose, that area?

Depends what you're used to. If you like the suburbs or Orange County, you'll probably be ok with Santa Clara or San Jose. Personally, I can't stand it. I only go down there to either visit my grandmother or get some good Indian food.

You could always live in SF and reverse commute to wherever you practice.

This is probably the best idea, especially if you're only going to be here a few years. Make the most of it and enjoy living in the city. It'll also make the commute much easier for your wife. Driving into SF during rush hour sucks a lot more than leaving it and doing the reverse commute.

 

[Daurang]

San Jose and Santa Clara are two overpriced super boring cities with no charm whatsoever. I hate going there but is obligated to visit families. I rather be walking around Oakland Chinatown or anywhere in San Fran anyday.

Make sure you stop by Shadowbrook restaurant in Capitola for dinner.

 

[Brent8927]

Thanks Durang. I needed to know the reality of what traffic was like in SF.
I currently drive 45 mins every day, but I cannot be stuck in a car for much more than that.

I don't think crossing any of the bridges would make my wife too happy.
Oakland is definitely out-maybe I am just biased. Newark too far from UCSF (wife).

Checked out the rents for most areas on the Peninsula (is that the right term?) and I am okay with the rates--it will only be for a few years and I have a fairly decent reserve.

I appreciate all the responses.👍

Also, is Pacifica really that far from UCSF...
Google Driving directions to Pacifica, CA
14.2 mi – about 26 mins

I guess traffic could double this to 52 mins.

Hi--I came across this thread because I was a bit board and typed in my hometown (Pacifica) in the search forum feature and this thread popped up. I'm not sure if it still helps at this point, but I thought I'd weigh in.

I used to commute from Pacifica to UCSF (Parnassus). From the northern part of Pacifica (Pacific Manor) the commute wasn't too bad. I generally left at 8:00 and was in the office around 8:35 or so--but that also included ten minutes of walking since I had to park far away to find free all-day street parking. If I had a parking permit, it would probably have been about a 20-25 minute commute.

Some days there was a fair amount of traffic on 19th Ave (which is what Google tells you to take), so I usually went around it via Junipero Serra Blvd, Portola Dr, and Laguna Honda Blvd. Every now and then traffic backed up to the highway 1/280 interchange, in which case it added another 10-15 minutes to my commute. But this usually wasn't a problem, and you can check online (511.org) to see if it will be a problem that day, and plan accordingly. Regardless of where you end up, 511.org is great for checking out traffic conditions.

If you live in the southern part of Pacifica (such as Linda Mar), it could be another ten minutes of driving.

Devil's slide isn't actually between Pacifica and SF, which a previous poster stated. It's just south of Pacifica. I think it's between Pacifica and Montara, but it's certainly between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. I've driven down there a few times on my way to Half Moon Bay, and they're currently building a bypass bridge and tunnel that avoids the slide area. I think they're fairly close to completion. But if you wanted to live in Pacifica you don’t need to worry about the slide since it’s in the opposite direction from SF.

Personally, I think the view you have of the Pacific Ocean as you drive home to Pacifica on a clear day makes it a wonderful commute. On the other hand, if I had to live somewhere for a few years, I'm not sure I'd choose Pacifica--it has weather similar to Daly City and San Francisco (foggy the whole summer, generally never hot, often overcast, usually cold and windy...)

It's been wonderful for the past year I've been here, but if you are looking for a place to settle down for a few years you might want to consider the climate a bit. San Mateo isn't too far away and has a very different climate.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the Pacifica area, or rest of the Bay Area. I've lived in the East Bay (Fremont, Oakland, Berkeley), South Bay (Santa Clara) and Peninsula (Pacifica) and have been in the Bay Area my whole life (25 years) and am very happy to share everything I know.

-Brent