Varela Ave, San Francisco State University

Overall, Park Merced is a nice, modest, residential living community for students and families associated with San Francisco State University. However, it also serves as a parking lot for the aforementioned, their friends, families, visitors, and anyone and everyone who feels like visiting SFSU for an hour or less, according to parking laws. Varela Avenue is also the first turn off of Holloway Avenue, and therefore gets hit the worst by the onslaught of traffic.

Finding a spot to park here is a rare gem for commuters, but can understandbly be frustrating for residents. However, being that much closer to the university means a much shorter walk, so it is a toss-up. Other benefits of this neighborhood include proximity to Lake Merced and a San Francisco zip code - although you are FAR from the city's main attractions, and not far at all from the Western cold that inevitably sweeps in every day.

There are some benefits to living here, but this is not the true SF life.