@All - Thanks everyone. I really don't know if $1200 did sound as a joke , although it might be if you are already in SF, but I would consider it as high rent. I added $$250 to what we were paying in NC. I could be terribly wrong. I could go up until $1500 but I can't grasp idea of paying $2k or $2.5k for 1 bd/ba. I don't care / mind what everyone is doing in their home but I just don't want to get robbed at gun point.
Many of you have provided very nice information which will help me narrow down the area.
Just one last question on living on Oakland after researching further. Is Oakland really runs that scary ? I am asking because even though I might rent in some good neighborhood I might have to pass through Oakland. Do people literally get robbed or shot in broad daylight or by 8pm / 9pm ?
Thanks very much again for helping me out and excellent info.