Reply to My Job is relocating me to SF. Where to start?

A little background: I was in NY, my company just moved me to Chicago. I've been here for under a year. They asking me to move to SF which I accepted. I need to figure out where to move in SF so that I have an idea of budget and such.

Currently I live in Wicker park/bucktown in Chicago. A trendy area that been gentrified. I'm no urban pioneer, but I am willing to live in upcoming neighborhood, and places that are a little sketchy but not terrible. I pay $1600 in rent a month between me and my lady.

When I move to SF I may have to either get a place on my own, or randomly find a roomate, like CL style of something. My lady will not be coming with me right away so I have to absorb the cost by myself in addition to possibly helping her. I'd also need some manner to park a car as I need it for work.

I believe for the first year. I'd like to live in the city area, then afterward maybe move outside of it, however if the price and neighborhood is right I would move out there.

I hear all kinds of different things, mission district, nob hill, pacific height, Berkeley, Sausalito, russian hill. I have no clue on value of property versus, square footage, versus safety, versus being in the mix. I know some places are outside the city and I could take the bart in which I would not totally object to.

Any help from a fellow San Fran person would be dope. My timeline is looking to be around early next year, Jan, Feb, March. I'd like to narrow my search in neighborhoods and understand how much I have to save to pay deposits, and living.