Have you looked into residential hotels?
That’s what I always used in SF in my backpacking days and they’re probably still the quick and affordable option.
Private room + usually having to share a shower with half the floor.
I’d avoid the Mission District though. Eck.

I always use Craigslist for SF accommodation & have never had trouble - mind you, I was only looking for a room.

Is a studio/private place absolutely essential? I was just looking yesterday as I plan my next trip back there & you can easily get rooms in the Mission (close to Bart & Valencia st) for $1000 p/m.

I’ve also only sorted places at the last minute so I wouldn’t worry about the timing so much. I’d get an AirBnb for a couple of nights when you arrive so you can actually see the longer-term places - it’s easier to manage when you’re actually meeting the people vs just emailing.

As you’ve found, the housing market in SF is pretty insane right now. That being said, a “hacker house” might work for you. Also check out http://www.sfhousingservices.com/#!student-housing/cvpm
edit
I looked up current reviews of 1080 Folsom (the housing from sfhousingservices.com I’m familiar with) and the new ones are pretty mediocre. I suggest you look up reviews of particular houses on Yelp first.

Some people use Grind Spaces: grindspaces.com. I have never used them myself, though an agency I worked for in the past built their website, so I know they are tech-centric. NYC has so much to offer in this regard, its a huge technology hub, so there are going to be tons of technology-positive / developer-oriented coworking joints around the 5 boroughs. Well actually, I bet they’re all just in Manhattan and Brooklyn heh.

Something tells me DUMBO, Brooklyn, would have a lot of web devs in coworking spaces. Its just a hunch tho.

I live down the street from this place: bathaus.com. I’ve never used it myself (my home office kicks ass), but I can tell you its a very artsy and safe neighborhood (Bushwick), and its about 2 blocks from a subway station. There are too many cafes to list in my neighborhood (and bars), but there are a lot of bohemian/nomad types here. You could probably bump into some interesting people at a place called Kave, in a building named The Loom, that is sort of near this coworking space I listed above. Also its street art galore.

Since you’re here after the 10th, I highly recommend you quickly join the NYC.rb meetup.com group, and attend the meetup on Tuesday, Oct 13th, @ Pivotal Labs (on 6th ave). I am too new of a user to put links in posts, so check meetup’s website. Free pizza and beer, Pivotal Labs has a great venue for talks, and these events are always informative and social.

There is a meetup group called “Bots and Brains” that is meeting for a happy hour on Wednesday of that week, they do anything from AI in Python and Ruby to robotics. I’ve never gone, but there is a group named “Android NYC” that meets every Sunday.

I’d recommend just browsing meetup.com for technology topics you’re interested in, and see whats going on the week you are here. You just missed Couchbase NYC, a free, huge ‘NoSQL’ convention that served three free meals and had a plethora of interesting talks, in a historical Wall St building. There is always something happening technology-wise in this city.

(Again, I cant post links…) Do a web search for “techweek.com new york city” - there is quite a lot happening at that conf. Eventbrite is also a decent source for these things. I just found a website called events.alleywatch.com that has a few things.

Also the “Horizons” conference is this week! Not really tech, but its, well, science-y! I’ve gone prior years and heard some fascinating talks.

Hi Litanin -

Not sure where in the city you will be staying but check out this website: http://www.onthegrid.city/new-york/

It was created by the design firm, hyperakt and is a curated guide to the city by designers and makers.

Moab in September should be pretty perfect weather…any sooner and its way too hot IMO. SLC has been having milder winters lately so you’ll be in for perfect weather and great fall colors in September.

You can find some information on the trend of activity, but that’s about it. There’s no real rhyme or reason. It may happen every day for 2 weeks or go 2 weeks without seeing it. Generally, though, you’re in a downward cycle, so they will likely be less intense and few of them overall.

Your best bet it to rent a car and cross over into the far north Finnish border in the Kilpisjärvi area. Because of its location, the climate is clear and dry. You won’t have to contend with the same issues as far north Norway. If you have access to cabins in the northern fjords, that would be great as well.

Let me know if you want a connection - I know a number of people with cabins about 3 hours north of Tromso and I know they sometimes rent them out.

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast