I really dislike the process for renting an apartment. I went to numerous management companies and they practically wanted a blood and urine sample. Finally found a place through a private landlord, which I much prefer. The whole process in the Bay Area seems a bit ridiculous at this point, with housing prices on the Peninsula running so far outside reality it makes me nauseous just thinking about it ($3800/month for a ~300 sq ft studio with no view or parking...)
Oakland at least is sort of within reality. I looked at Concord and Vallejo to the north, and Hayward to the south. The housing prices are all over the map. In the words of Jimmy McMillan "The rent is too d*** high!"