What It’s Like Living in a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) in San Francisco
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- This video gives a general overview of life in a San Francisco SRO hotel (single room occupancy). This is based on the seven years I lived in such housing near the North Beach neighborhood. This is Part 2 of 5 of the San Francisco Apartment Series: • San Francisco Apartmen... .
//// Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:12 What is an SRO?
00:36 Rooms
00:52 Outside of the Rooms
01:23 Food
02:07 Restrooms
02:54 Showers
03:40 Laundry
04:58 Other Facts About the Building
05:44 Tenants
07:20 Social Life
07:57 Work and Travel
08:53 Reasons To Do It
09:32 Reasons To Not Do It
10:15 Conclusion
//// Relevant links:
San Francisco Apartment Series playlist home: • San Francisco Apartmen...
Previous video in the series: • Paying $850 Rent in Sa...
Next video in the series: • Empty San Francisco Ap...
//// Other SRO videos:
"Hardly Home" - A documentary about San Francisco SROs: • Hardly Home
Jerry's SRO in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood: • Jerry shows us his roo...
"Oakland SRO Landlord to Pay $1 Million Following Tenants Lawsuit": • Oakland SRO Landlord t...
Questioning the safety of San Francisco SROs (Chinatown example): • Affordable Housing Adv...
Another San Francisco Chinatown SRO: • Inside Housing Of Last...
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I lived in one way back in 1960 when I was 16 and moved away from home. One room, a bath, and a closet and a window that overlooked an alley. It was an old YMCA. No laundry or kitchen. $40 a month. Went to school and had a part time job and an old pick-up truck. Worked for me till I was 18 and joined the Army.
SRO in Chicago. I use manage the Wilson Men's Hotel, 1124 W. Wilson. 246 rooms, rent was $85. Per. Week or $300 per. Month. Cheapest rent in Chicago. Closed in 2018. Now rent is $1,200. A month.
There used to be many of these for women only, including the YWCA's. They felt much safer for young women.
the person found dead in their room is so real lmao. I live in a SF SRO and the guy across me was found dead & overdosed something. Definitely not a luxurious or comfortable lifestyle- but it's great to start out or try out a potential longterm city. I am saving so much, and also don't have to stress about my work hours with cheap rent- I can go out and spend more in the city. But eventually probably don't want to be here forever. I had a mouse in my room one week- so I deep cleaned with peppermint oil and made sure to clear all clutter. Haven't seen it since, that was def the worst part haha
I live in a SF SRO too and I also had a small mice 🐁 in my room multiple times. I found the hole it was coming from and stuffed it with copper wire mesh and they haven’t returned. How much do you pay for rent?
The first place I ever rented was something like this. It was about 12x9 foot. Had a single bed, a table with two chairs, a comfortable chair, a small stove, small fridge, a sink and two cabinets. I was lucky to have a corner unit with windows on two walls. Shared bathroom and shower, no laundry. This was in Central Falls, Rhode Island. I know that I did not pay more than $100 a month, over 40 years ago in the mid 80's.
Over the years I have thought about that place with nostalgia. I was kind of a tiny home before it's time. I was the only woman (I was 14years old, babysat for the money, I left home at 12 1/2) renting in this house. It was a large old house that had 4-5 units on each floor, 3 floors in total.
You left home at 12???
Yes I did. @@patrickglennon7058
I lived in a 9×12 room as well. My room was ok the building itself and the people who lived there were pretty messed up.
Wow. Sac is looking a lot better now that I see what SF life is like. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I always thought there is a latent demand for SRO's if they were permitted in more areas. They just need to be updated and well-managed. I spent a semester in a Kollegium in Denmark which seemed to strike the right balance where you have your own bathroom but share a kitchen with about a dozen other people. Each floor had a representative who met monthly to work out issues and plan dinners, events. I think a lot of people would live this way if it meant they could live centrally and save money, regardless of their age or financial status.
Very well composed.
I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this. Your first hand experience of living in a SRO helped to answer a lot of questions I've always wondered about.
Thanks for the feedback, John! It's important to note that experiences will differ based on many factors, including location, management, other tenants, the quality of the building, and the individual's standards.
😅😅😅😅
Do you remember the Wilson Men's Hotel at 1124 W. Wilson. 246 rooms. $85. Per week and $300. Per month. I use to Manage the Hotel before it closed. I know all about SRO.
You are a very well spoken person. Like myself I to lived in an SRO 2 different times but unlike yours we had no kitchen or laundry and expect for that where you stayed was like the SRO where I stayed we had the roaches'!!! I was in Chicago up on the northside though the neighborhood was up and coming and the rent at the SRO was high and so were many of the other gusts. I was back in 1988 then again in 1990 we did have shared and private bathrooms. The first time I had a room with a shared bathroom and the second time I paid much more but had a private bathroom. The SRO did allow me to keep my cat. All the best! Yours Nick
I feel most of these issues are due to the SRO being very old. Modern dorms have ample washing machines, semi private bathrooms, and clean kitchens. They’re a good temporary solution.
I've been renting a room in a house which is basically being rented out like an sro through a company called homeroom. Before living here I had never heard of an sro in my life. Now that I'm ready to move and looking for something similar because its the cheapest around I discover this term SRO. With everyone complaining about rent I wonder why SROs arent talked about more. We have this solution but it's like they try to hide it from us. It's a great solution. Not perfect but works for me until I get through school and get an actual good job
I've visited a friend who lived in an SRO called Community Housing Partnership on the corner of Golden Gate and Market. What a great place that was, Large room, windows and a view of the corner of two streets. I think people are well taken care of in SF to have a room like this. It's too bad that some tenants ruin it as with my friend who was kicked out after 6 months. SRO are a wonderful place. Don't mess up what luxury you have.
I lived in an SRO in San Jose for 7 years. I only stayed so long because I was barely home so it was just like storage more than anything. I finally moved out into my own apartment a year ago. Thankfully, I shared a bathroom and kitchen with only 2 other people, but I always lived with at least 1 gross dude who doesn't know how to clean up after themselves.
I’ve always wondered about those kind of places
Respect U dude. Props I don’t have to live in this environment anymore
I knew a guy who lived in a SRO, He refused to use the kitchen as well. Just had a mini fridge, and a microwave, same as you. He also refused to use the showers. and would shower at the 24 Hour fitness Centre across the street. didn't use the laundry there either there was a laundry mat across the street. He also never really stayed there. was always out He basically use the SRO for just sleeping and eating.
This will be me. Laundromat, gym shower and toilet, cold salads 😂
I needed a cheap place to crash and found one of these places - rent was cheap, utilities paid for, laundry room and wi-fi free. Mine had 18 units over 2 floors. 3 showers, 4 toilets, 1 washer and 1 dryer. In the time I was there at least 2 died (I think it was like 5 total but I only knew 2). The trick to living in one is : Just keep to yourself, know your immediate neighbors but keep it to chit chat. Get a small storage unit like 5' by 5' to keep valuables and important documents safe as well as limit stuff in your room, and get a p.o. box for your mail or it will be taken by others or just thrown in the trash by someone who hates everyone else (a normal ritual was looking through the waste basket by the mail drop to find any envelopes my crazy neighbor would see my name on and throw out for spite. Its not a horrible place to be, its just not a good place to be.
I feel like this is a good option for many people that isn’t available in many areas
Edit…..was more on board before the mention of feasting roaches
Yeah, I'm guessing these are mostly available in large cities, and the existing ones are disappearing. And yes, the roaches are annoying.
Great sense of humor, love it, thanks.
Really informative and detailed video. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
I would imagine that with the astronomical rent prices in that city it's getting harder and harder to find a vacant room in an SRO. Did you have to wait before a room was available?
Wow. I had never heard of this type of living arrangement. Very informative. Great video!
Thanks for the feedback!
Ray, i stayed at a Residence Hotel on Russian Hill 2001...$1500 @ month safe clean...like a small studio...enjoyable experience!
I love your updates 😊
Thanks, Louis!
@@RaymondStone looking forward to seeing new updates
Thank you, great video, will definitely check out your others.
Nice video Ray
Thanks for the feedback, Ryan!
I currently live in an SRO here in "The City".
Thinking it would be safer, I opted to move into one of the two sro's for women only. Looking back on this I wish I wouldn't have. It seems due to the demographic, and the fact I'm one of few who decided upon living arrangement, I am one of few Caucasian females, especially one who is moderately young. Therefore, ontop of the forementioned issues the gentlemen discussed in the video, I can add to that a ridiculous amount of aggressive behavior that at times has become physically violent, and almost daily mentally and emotionally draining if not damaging. Unfortunately, my experience has been females in sro's, in this city at least, believe since I am Caucasian it is impossible for me to have come from a low income family, and of course one that was taught to believe that African Americans are somehow not as intelligent, trustworthy, or deserving of the same respect and common curiosities. In that vein, I've had the unfortunate experience of being targeted for racism, when I'm not in the slightest. So the reverse racism is quite a real thing
One that I hadn't considered would be an issue for me.
I would usually consider it an issue with an individual but seeing as how it's a good amount more than one in my residence alone, not including the sro's I've visited when meeting up a friend, or more often, cleaning, as it's part of the temp buisness I've started to financially better my position.
I just wanted to add that.
On the off chance there's someone who is considering an sro. Especially one that provides rooms to females.
If I had the choice to make again, I would opt for one that rents to both sexes if I had no other options at all.
I would recommend finding a room for rent situation, an actual bedroom, in the home of a local woman. I would meet her a few times first, go to coffee of possible, although it would be best to do a trial week. I mean it's highly unlikely, bit I've found of you word it the right way, and not just come out and say "hey, I just want to make sure you're not a lunatic", instead something like "I think we would be a good fit, bit from past experiences I want to be sure we both can remain mutually positive towards eachother and that there aren't any little behaviors or something that could possibly get under the skin of the other. I would hate to find that small behaviors of mine are just what you find to be horribly annoying. Best to find out beforehand and save eachother the hassle of being in a position were both not ultimately happy with, you know? " Most person's in this city are generally very nice and accommodating and understand how life works along with it's kinks and such and as long as you're honest with them, and are up front, they're more than welcoming and will be willing to do whatever is within reason to keep things respectable, stable, and safe.
That is most people that live here in the city that have homes and are part of the community anyway. Real San Franciscans are generally the most relaxed, down to earth, respectable people. Albeit they expect highly of themselves and others. But hey, I welcome the expectations.
Always put all agreements in writing, always have copies of documents, and always sign them infront of a notary, including rental agreements.
Anyway, thx for the video.
I wish there would've been more info out there when I was looking for a place.
It would've saved me a TON of trouble.
I appreciate your story, and I'm sorry for the nuisances you had to go through in the SRO you stayed in. And yes, racism against white people I imagine is more common than people think in environments in which the white population is the minority. Getting to know people you move in with if you can is a great tip. Getting everything in writing is also a great tip. Thanks, Ellisse!
😂😂 stay off drugs
😂😂😂😂 get mad at your ancestors.
You basically live in an SRO of you’re one level up from being homeless and don’t have family to help you out in the area.
I liked your video also and I would invite you down to come to one of the tenderloin walking tours and maybe you could do a video about the tenderloin
Thanks so much for this info. I am strongly considering a move to an SRO. I lived in a small single room studio in Chicago for 15 years. Lack of space and noise from others never bothered me. The only thing that would potentially concern me is safety and infestations. I am going to be moving back to SF after being gone for more than 20 years. Are there any landlords or organizations that you would recommend with these types of buildings? I am a single person that is a conventional renter (i.e. don't have Section 8 or other program)
Dam i guess not. I had the same question
You can rent a pod for like 1,300 a month
Wow!!
Insane how you lived here my dude! You need a medal or something lol. Visiting the city in April. Recommend any upscale/boosie lounges (not clubs) in the city? Thanks man !
I’m the wrong person to ask about nightlife. 😅
The only places I can recommend are Local Edition and The View Lounge. I’ve only been to the former, but I know the latter is popular.
@@RaymondStone Haha no worries I’m not much of a nightlife guy either but I need a plan in the event I am not sleepy after 10pm lol
Couldn't explain it any worse myself 😆
Do you get wifi or can buy from an internet provider?
some provide wired hook-ups for laptops/desktops. some provide wifi.
I'm guessing golden egle lol water 💧 was never hott. Used to hear people screaming about cold water in morning before work
Thankfully the hot water worked mostly well in most of the showers. There were a couple of occasions when there was no hot water in the building, but it was never off for more than a day or so.
How much do you pay every month?
At the place shown in the video it was $850/month.
@@RaymondStone oh wow that’s more expensive than the one I know
Weirdo 😂
Boring!!
We used to call these rooming houses back in the day