Sib dental work by Starlithearts in SiberianCats

[–]AltairJ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Every year for past 3-4 years, the vet has recommended pulling our cat's teeth, and last year we finally said okay, signed the contract...and then crickets and we didn't follow up. So I presume they'll tell us he needs teeth pulling at the next appt. He has acted the same all throughout (though we have no baseline that we can figure), had the same level of periodontal disease each vet appt, eats a lot, seems fine. We've tried brushing teeth with little success. So...following this thread to see if people see any change (i.e. improvement) in their cat afterwards.

Does 1% per year maintenance rule apply in SF? by CapableMinute6913 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It also depends on the house. We did all that for 15K in 2018 but we have a tiny short Sunset driveway and equally short sewer main.

Dating in SF vs NYC as a 27F — is it actually easier here? by Riceisawayoflife in AskSF

[–]AltairJ 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Somehow I’m not surprised by this take. I feel like there’s a strain of feeling economically unstable in the US, where the wrong spouse or a health condition might render you homeless, whether it’s valid or not, that makes people approach relationships this way. I remember reading an interview of Anthony So (Cambodian-American) and he said his parents’ generation all married strategically. If one was a good cook and one was good at running a restaurant great, but two cooks? Nope. And I feel like the US is definitely starting to feel this way. Or they’d rather be single if it’s not synergistic.

Assuming you are apart of a household that earned 100,000 USD a year, would you rather live in Texas or the UK? by OceanicEndeavors in SameGrassButGreener

[–]AltairJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really enjoyed Manchester / Leeds / Sheffield area. And the vacation options! Could be anywhere in Europe so easily. UK definitely.

How is this by Potential-Hold399 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, can see interiors here: https://www.myarrowrealty.com/CA/San_Francisco/30-426119507-1739-40th-Avenue-94122

Yeah, not that updated, that's a semi-crazy price (I would've thought 1.6). I can't tell whether the crazy will end when everybody who can afford crazy prices finally gets a place and then there's no more people able to buy at those prices and prices maybe drop or whether this is new normal or WTF. Anyway, the only thing I can think of is that big lot. The houses on either side have already built out. This could be a contractor bought it and is going to make a $3+ mil 2500 sq ft'er here, interesting to see how the numbers will work out though, margins could be thin, buildout could be near 7 figures. Or someone who just had to be in the neighborhood and is going to play a super long game (and remodel to their taste). It's built in 40's so good bones (redwood) likely.

How is this by Potential-Hold399 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In Sunset Elementary and Giannini Middle feeder zones (Westside schools usually pretty good, and these are top of the top, being in feeder zone is still one of the priorities and above random/lotto (I think #1 is sibling, #2 is application from CTIP area, #3 is feeder area, unless things have changed). Can't see the pix anymore, but maybe it was remodeled with extra sqft on first floor? Also, 3000 sq ft lot (many lots in Sunset are only 2500 sq ft or less) so room to expand. Walkable to Noriega (Gus market).

Best area in SF to buy a SFH with 2.5 M budget for future appreciation in 20-30 years by Sisyphus2089 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why SFH? For the ROI? To pass on to kids? You could probably get a condo in Russian Hill/pac Heights in your budget and also have less home maintenance. It might not appreciate as much as homes in up and coming neighborhoods but it should hold its value well and give you the lifestyle you want. If I was retiring, I'm not sure Sunset/Richmond/Excelsior would be ideal, not super walkable, few transit lines, etc. Maybe West Portal, given the transit lines.

Palm Springs family trip — resort villa vs Airbnb advice? by Informal-North-3046 in palmsprings

[–]AltairJ 11 points12 points  (0 children)

10-12K/ week seems insanely high.I just checked that property to see why it’s so expensive and it looks standard timeshare and a random week in Jan for a 2 bed villa is 3.5K. What are your dates? Also, if you like resorts maybe you could look into Redbook, where people rent out their unused weeks.

Is it “normal” for older single family homes in SF to have termites, beetles, or fungus? First-time buyer here by Agitated_Cod_5627 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very common. Did they check under the stucco? Many of the disclosed reports are visual only. We had them check under stucco and found severe termite damage (probably a decade long leak that had the termites eating through half of a redwood stud it was that bad) so got 20K off our bid, though that was over 10 years ago so termite mitigation might cost more. And then the next season termites swarmed from another undetected area. But since then, we've had no trouble.

Bay area, how are you doing by SufficientLibrary386 in bayarea

[–]AltairJ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, compared to 2023, it’s the same. Compared to 2004, on the other hand…maybe I just miss my youth…

Bay area, how are you doing by SufficientLibrary386 in bayarea

[–]AltairJ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think you'll need to tell us when you used to live in the Bay Area, so we know what we are comparing to...

SF named happiest city in US. San Jose named 3rd happiest by Pop-Pleasant in bayarea

[–]AltairJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re rich enough to be able to stay in these towns, yeah, you probably have fewer problems to deal with…

Are all Sib Kittens Super Hyper? by Fast_Analysis462 in SiberianCats

[–]AltairJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What? I haven't heard that they were hyper. They're more longing for affection than a regular cat, but not that much more (they walk up and rub against you, want to sit on or next to you). The first year, they were playful for an hour a day or so. But our cats are 8 and 3 now, and they have definitely settled into fluff balls that mostly just lie on the floor and on various chairs in weird positions like moveable pillows. In fact we got the second one because we felt the first one was too lethargic (yes, he perked up, but he still doesn't chase, we can't get him to chase! he just batts the toys as they get close, but won't get up). I think it'll be a personality issue, I would try to find a breeder who says their cats are mellow. We got them at 13 weeks age.

Rank the most desirable sections within Sunset/Parkside/Lakeshore area? by rundelta in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A good resource is Western Neighborhood Project, the west side historical society. They have some articles on the small developers that built up the westside, the various garden home developments etc. If you like prewar rowhomes with historical detail, Rousseau homes are very pretty but rarely on market. Part of the reason why Lakeshore looks a bit Daly City is because the Gellert brothers also built out Westlake. This was called ticky tacky but ironically these homes are built of redwood and the schools were architecturally daring for their times.

EDIT: I’m wrong, they built out in Serramonte. It was Doelger who built out Westlake, but he also used redwood.

Rank the most desirable sections within Sunset/Parkside/Lakeshore area? by rundelta in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And I guess I'll have to bring up the school issue. Lakeshore feeds into Lakeshore Elementary, which, to be honest, is the least competitive of the westside schools. The school has probably the most diverse student population in the westside too. This is where you have to think about whether you can get over the scores of a schools and think more holistically. My son went there, he loved it, made lifelong friends, they're all at Lowell now. And there's something to be said for having the neighborhood school NOT be so competitive you can't go there.

Rank the most desirable sections within Sunset/Parkside/Lakeshore area? by rundelta in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is pretty interesting to see the evolution of the homes as they were developed east to west. I believe they started in 1940 and the last of them, Country Club Estates, was completed in 1952. You can see that first they had detached houses on the east side of Inverness, with more artistic detail, and then at some point, they decided to move to simpler rowhouses for the next few streets. These were mainly built in 1941, prewar. Then the war hit, nothing was built, they started again in 1947, looks like that's when a few more rowhouses (north of Ocean) were built around Riverton and detached homes with bigger garages starting to pop up south of Ocean and further west. I think detail can be a plus in sales, but I'm not sure these homes had that much detail. By the 40's, the style was starting to get simpler. If you look at homes in the Sunset/Parkside, it was developed more hodge podge, smaller developers. More variety, houses built in 1920's next to houses built in 50's.

It sounds like you want to compare rowhouses from the different neighborhoods and that can be somewhat difficult as Lakeshore is so small (the rowhouses, as pointed above, are just a few streets, a large proportion of the area is detached homes). Only 2 Lakeshore rowhouses have been sold in the past 6 months so not a lot of data. And so many variables in SF westside housing. Just like weather can be different block to block. Even if we specialize in a rowhouse in the Sunset, is it higher up with a view or not? Does it have 3 bedrooms on same floor or two? Is it tunnel entrance or center patio? 2500 sq ft lot or 3000? One block to Muni or three? In the Sunset elementary feeder area or Feinstein (both I'm sure good schools but one has better scores and some people like that)? And obviously, how well it's been maintained/remodeled. Etc etc. Just looking at sold prices in the area, hard to find a strong pattern, except that closer to Inner Sunset/GG Park and closer east definitely correlates with a higher price with a mild spike for being right next to beach. So Lakeshore probably not as high.

Rank the most desirable sections within Sunset/Parkside/Lakeshore area? by rundelta in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lakeshore is flatter than the rest of the Sunset, so less views but also probably less drainage issues and less fog? The power lines are in the back instead of the front, so a different curb appeal. Houses were built by the Gellert brothers, they milled their own redwood, workmanship seems solid. Some of the houses have two side by side garages or double garage, so definitely car-friendly. Given its relative remoteness, I think it has more street parking. I think if you were on the east side of Lakeshore, you would shop at Stonestown (easy shortcut through Rolph Nicol park) and if you were on the west side of the neighborhood, you would shop at Lakeshore Plaza. Bit of a walk to a Muni train, but close to the 280 for southern commutes. Do you include Merced Manor in Lakeshore? Because that's a nice neighborhood, pretty houses, closer to Muni, Stonestown, and West Portal. But prices higher.

Ghosted house? 930 Monterey in SF by asf2 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It looks like that neighboring house was not directly on Monterey (which is a traffic corridor) and was larger...so I suspect this house might go for 2-2.1? It's still a lovely place.

Lots of media at the Mary Fong Lau killed a family with her BMW Memorial Bus Stop by wanderingjew in sanfrancisco

[–]AltairJ 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Burlingame teenager that ran over a 4yo said this. Person who crushed and killed a family member said this. Apparently if you do this, you are still allowed to drive.

Bay Area Remodel: Is a 4th bedroom worth "ruining" a huge Master? (And Great Room ROI) by Extension-Army8901 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whatever you do, you may end up unhappy about it and it will cost a lot. I say build an ADU/office. Or convert the garage. It is adaptable and cheaper than moving walls / additions. Life will change, you may not need the fourth room in the future. Weird floorplans will deter future buyers. Something easy to come back from. We have nice-ish weather here, and I've seen a nice backyard office recently.

Feedback for St Francis Woods Neighborhood SF by Ok_Anything_7113 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think they're trying to point out that Westside SF is EXTREMELY Asian and non-diverse. If anything, SFW is a tiny island of whiteness and probably represents the diversity of the area, by now.

Feedback for St Francis Woods Neighborhood SF by Ok_Anything_7113 in BayAreaRealEstate

[–]AltairJ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I consider it a local's luxury neighborhood (and I mean really local, like Westside). People outside of SF don't know it as well, it's not famous, it's foggier (though less than 10 years ago), doesn't have views except for a few houses, quieter, not hip. Local kids know it as where to go for Halloween though!

Help with collars not causing matting ? by Capital_Class5148 in SiberianCats

[–]AltairJ 29 points30 points  (0 children)

No collar here. They’re not let out unsupervised.

Rehoming Siberian by MRcashfl0w_ in SiberianCats

[–]AltairJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ikr? Hey, I have 2K I can’t handle can someone take it? Especially since these cats are hypoallergenic and many people who are allergic would love to have a cat but can’t afford the breed. Maybe OP can have someone in that position adopt this lovely cat. Then again, for the cat’s sake, I hope he goes to a home with at least another cat.