I've had season tix since I graduated in '99 even though i've lived on the west coast most of that time. The initial benefits were nearly guaranteed access to west coast games (UCLA, etc) and west coast bowl games (remember the rose bowl?).
So yeah, not so much lately. Crappy Bowl tickets basically are available to anyone now, and I had to find other means for the Bama game tix. Utah this year? Shut out. I haven't even looked into any 'guarantee' of Big 10 champ tickets because of the pipe dream.
Contrast that to my MLB baseball tickets, where i'm guaranteed playoff /world series tickets, and special events (batting practice on the field, etc). Easier when there aren't 100k tickets for sale I guess.
The big thing about UM for me is the tailgate and the entertainment lifestyle that doesn't exist in any other sport. You know what you're doing 7-8 times / year. If you have friends that you tailgate with, its pushes everyone to get together, which I love. Financially I think you're correct, if you're only going to a few games it'll be a wash or you'll end up ahead.
You'll find something. You could ask your new employer if they have any leads. Consider this: your first place you won't live forever. Use this as a gauge where you might want to live long term.
Check out craigslist; rents are out of control but you might be able to find existing roommates that have a better deal. With roommates SF might be doable at that rate; consider areas such as outer sunset / outer richmond as well. Not sure your commute needs. If in the city, stick near BART lines and/or MUNI train lines (K/L/M/N/T). Uber rules here -- out of the way neighborhoods are now accessible for nightlife. BIG change from when i moved here. Gives you more options.
Outside of SF stick close to BART. Oakland is Oakland... but places like Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, etc are doable and the commute isn't crazy, especially if you work downtown. Emeryville is a nice compromise - close to MacArthur Bart (as well as AC transit lines) and rents aren't insane. Also Alameda can be interesting -- just figure out your commute and work backwards from there (AC Transit, Ferry, etc). I've heard Daly City might be pretty affordable but don't know many people that live there. Pacifica might work as well, but you'll be on suicide watch due to Fog.
Really craigslist or word of mouth is still the best way to nab an apartment out here. Even try subletting for 6 months. Just keep your belongings light until you get 'settled'.
Note: I'm in Dallas for the game so I'm not sure your best bet for 'bama (haven't looked at the TV schedule, but the Giants play in the AM). The rest of this is for general Saturdays.
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I'm a huge fan of Kezar Pub. Best wings in the city. Good service, and a great "state of Michigan" bar -- the place to be for Red Wings games. Easy to take friends who don't care about the game here because its fun and the wings are great. Will be other UM fans (and if the time is right probably MSU fans) but everyone's cool. Not as much "meet other alumni" setup. Also more Haight / Mission type folks. More likely to meet alumni who you haven't seen in years here as they avoid the Marina. Generally easier to bus/Muni to.
Blarney Stone is the official alumni bar this year. If you want to meet new people you should check it out at least once. Kind of in the middle of nowhere unless you're driving or live on the 38 line, however. Might be a solid setup for 'bama to check it out.
The Marina bars are correctly listed -- they're like every other Marina bar on any given night; if you like it you like it. But it is its own animal unlike Blarney Stone or Kezar.
Overall downside: Nearly 100% of the games are on HD now and available at home, so getting together at 9am seems more difficult. Overall viewership at bars seem down over the last 12 years of being in SF, when I first starting to try to wake up with my alumni roommate and trek across town to baysides for a 9am game...
Enjoy! Lots of UM fans out here. Some tend to like hugging trees more then others.
Watch Stanford and the 49ers. Harbaugh's offense utilizes big guys who can be playmakers and are mis-matches in the passing game. The main difference between that and the Patriots is the commitment to the running game. This seems more likely to me, as Hoke wants to run the ball (or so he says) and running the passing spread (ala Patriots) may require both top TEs and a top QB.
Obviously they need TEs on the roster, but it does seem like a rather large haul of TEs to not planning on using them more often.
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I've had season tix since I graduated in '99 even though i've lived on the west coast most of that time. The initial benefits were nearly guaranteed access to west coast games (UCLA, etc) and west coast bowl games (remember the rose bowl?).
So yeah, not so much lately. Crappy Bowl tickets basically are available to anyone now, and I had to find other means for the Bama game tix. Utah this year? Shut out. I haven't even looked into any 'guarantee' of Big 10 champ tickets because of the pipe dream.
Contrast that to my MLB baseball tickets, where i'm guaranteed playoff /world series tickets, and special events (batting practice on the field, etc). Easier when there aren't 100k tickets for sale I guess.
The big thing about UM for me is the tailgate and the entertainment lifestyle that doesn't exist in any other sport. You know what you're doing 7-8 times / year. If you have friends that you tailgate with, its pushes everyone to get together, which I love. Financially I think you're correct, if you're only going to a few games it'll be a wash or you'll end up ahead.
You'll find something. You could ask your new employer if they have any leads. Consider this: your first place you won't live forever. Use this as a gauge where you might want to live long term.
Check out craigslist; rents are out of control but you might be able to find existing roommates that have a better deal. With roommates SF might be doable at that rate; consider areas such as outer sunset / outer richmond as well. Not sure your commute needs. If in the city, stick near BART lines and/or MUNI train lines (K/L/M/N/T). Uber rules here -- out of the way neighborhoods are now accessible for nightlife. BIG change from when i moved here. Gives you more options.
Outside of SF stick close to BART. Oakland is Oakland... but places like Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, etc are doable and the commute isn't crazy, especially if you work downtown. Emeryville is a nice compromise - close to MacArthur Bart (as well as AC transit lines) and rents aren't insane. Also Alameda can be interesting -- just figure out your commute and work backwards from there (AC Transit, Ferry, etc). I've heard Daly City might be pretty affordable but don't know many people that live there. Pacifica might work as well, but you'll be on suicide watch due to Fog.
Really craigslist or word of mouth is still the best way to nab an apartment out here. Even try subletting for 6 months. Just keep your belongings light until you get 'settled'.
Super nice guy, fun coach to be around (on the ice and in a bar). Maybe his humor / personality is better suited for adults, I guess...
Note: I'm in Dallas for the game so I'm not sure your best bet for 'bama (haven't looked at the TV schedule, but the Giants play in the AM). The rest of this is for general Saturdays.
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I'm a huge fan of Kezar Pub. Best wings in the city. Good service, and a great "state of Michigan" bar -- the place to be for Red Wings games. Easy to take friends who don't care about the game here because its fun and the wings are great. Will be other UM fans (and if the time is right probably MSU fans) but everyone's cool. Not as much "meet other alumni" setup. Also more Haight / Mission type folks. More likely to meet alumni who you haven't seen in years here as they avoid the Marina. Generally easier to bus/Muni to.
Blarney Stone is the official alumni bar this year. If you want to meet new people you should check it out at least once. Kind of in the middle of nowhere unless you're driving or live on the 38 line, however. Might be a solid setup for 'bama to check it out.
The Marina bars are correctly listed -- they're like every other Marina bar on any given night; if you like it you like it. But it is its own animal unlike Blarney Stone or Kezar.
Overall downside: Nearly 100% of the games are on HD now and available at home, so getting together at 9am seems more difficult. Overall viewership at bars seem down over the last 12 years of being in SF, when I first starting to try to wake up with my alumni roommate and trek across town to baysides for a 9am game...
Enjoy! Lots of UM fans out here. Some tend to like hugging trees more then others.
Watch Stanford and the 49ers. Harbaugh's offense utilizes big guys who can be playmakers and are mis-matches in the passing game. The main difference between that and the Patriots is the commitment to the running game. This seems more likely to me, as Hoke wants to run the ball (or so he says) and running the passing spread (ala Patriots) may require both top TEs and a top QB.
Obviously they need TEs on the roster, but it does seem like a rather large haul of TEs to not planning on using them more often.
Eisen re-tweeted what I sent him. Still good fun.
A decent amount of people replied asking me why Josh Grobin cared. One person suggested Eisen get him on his podcast.