Why I’m Buying a 1-Bedroom I’ll Probably Never Sleep In

When I moved to San Francisco 20 years ago, you could rent a one-bedroom in NOPA for $1,300. Hayes Valley was far from trendy. The city has reinvented itself a dozen times since then — and rents have followed.

Lately, I’ve been asking a very “SF mom” question:
If my kids want to come back after college, what rent will they be walking into in 20 years?

That’s what sparked this:
I’m seriously considering buying a 1-bedroom I’ll never live in.
Not as a second home… but as a long-game move.

Here’s why it actually makes sense

1. New construction = fewer surprises

I’m a mom. I don’t need drama from an investment property.
A newer building means stronger systems, predictable upkeep, and less “unexpected.”

2. Location drives rent — always

If I’m going to park money somewhere, it’s going to be in a walkable, transit-friendly, highly desirable neighborhood where tenants line up year after year.

3. 2005 rent vs. 2025 rent tells the whole story

If a one-bedroom went from $1,300 to $3,500+ in 20 years…
What will 2045 look like?
I’d rather be on the receiving side of that equation.

4. Gold sits still. Real estate compounds.

In my last blog I compared the two — and I’ll say it again:
Gold stores value.
SF real estate builds it.
And it gives my kids a real option later.

The Launchpad Strategy

That’s essentially what this is:
A small, smart, low-maintenance “launchpad” my kids could use when they’re starting out — or that I can rent out if they don’t.

If they come back to SF, amazing.
If not? I still own a strong asset in a world-class rental market.

The bottom line

I’m not doing this because I want another condo.
I’m doing it because San Francisco moves fast — and life moves even faster.
This is about creating options, hedging against future rent, and putting my long-term dollars somewhere that actually works for my family.

If you’ve been thinking about a similar move — you’re not alone.
SF moms ask me about this all the time.
And yes, it can absolutely be a smart play.

Want to explore what a “launchpad unit” could look like for your family?
Let’s talk.