Hey Bay Area folks, favor to ask...

[moominmuppet]

I have a friend who's in a rough spot (currently battling the unemployment office, and about to lose her place due to the landlord wanting to move in a friend), and she needs some advice/pointers/tips/etc in regards to new possibilities, especially those that can be flexible about credit rating and pets (she has three cats). She's pedestrian/public transit-only, so needs a place that's accessible, and that's reasonably safe to walk home to in the late evenings. These are the areas where she's looking:
oakland north / temescal
oakland rockridge / claremont
berkeley
albany / el cerrito
alameda

She's given me permission to share her name and email with anyone who has suggestions, or you can comment here, or email me directly at sarah.whitman.young at gmail

You're also welcome to pass on a link to this post to whomever might also have ideas. Thanks!