SoMa: The Appeal of an Ever Evolving San Francisco Neighborhood
Character and elegance are two of the most common adjectives used to describe the SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco. The large and lovely neighborhood is nothing if not filled with character and the appeal of older buildings and more established communities. SoMa, which stands for South of Market is one of the larger neighborhoods in the Bay Area. While the lines are blurred as to what actually resides in SoMa, the general consensus for most locals is that anything located south of Market Street, including Mission Bay and South Beach, is part of the area.
SoMa Diversity
What makes SoMa, formerly known as South of the Slot because of the cable cars that run up and down the slots along Market Street by an older generation, so diverse is the sheer complexity of the many different neighborhoods you’ll find here. SoMa is nothing if not culturally diverse, as it houses some of the countries biggest box stores such as Nordstrom Rack and Costco, and it also serves as the primary location for many of the technology industry’s biggest companies. Twitter, Yelp, Zynga, Sony and CNET all house their corporate headquarters in the SoMa district.
However, the area does not consist solely of high-tech corporate entities. It’s filled with a range of entertainment options from shopping to nightclubs to museums and a number of upscale loft apartments and condos. Most of the city’s most famous museums are located in the SoMA district, which adds to its broad appeal.
Why Make SoMa Your Home?
The residents that choose a neighborhood such as the SoMa district do so because they love the diversity of the neighborhood. Many of the people here are longtime residents, young families and high-end tech employees who want great views, a great location and proximity to everything from work to their favorite after-dinner entertainment.
What’s an even bigger appeal for those who want to choose to call the neighborhood home is the fact that the vast majority of condos and lofts in the area are so upscale. Many are located in old buildings carefully renovated to ensure that they feature the most upscale amenities and features. Additionally, the area has seen a boom in construction in the past few years, which means many of these high-end homes are available in newer buildings with more amenities and more space.
When choosing to live here, most people consider three general areas as their desired location; South Park and the Giants Ballpark area, near Folsom and Eleventh and around the MOMA. The downtown vibe that comes from these areas is very reminiscent of New York’s SoHo neighborhood, which is what many residents say that SoMa wants to become. For the more well-heeled residents, choosing a building closer to the Financial District around Market and Third is going to serve exactly this purpose.
The area is a magnet for the young professionals of the city looking to live in a contemporary loft or condo that features all the upscale amenities that high-end living has to offer. The location makes these properties much more desireable than the same type of property slightly outside the city, but the convenience of living in such a trendy and modern location outweighs the cost of owning a home in the area.
Life in the SoMa district is a bit like this: Residents wake up to an amazing sunrise over the city from the floor to ceiling windows of their high rise condo as the city begins to take life below them. Trending restaurants are delivered fresh local ingredients and shops prepare for a busy day of commerce. When it’s time to leave for work, residents leave the comfort of their residence and enter the bustling streets of the financial district, making a quick stop for a skinny latte and walk the few short blocks to work. When the day is over, offices are locked up and residents of SoMa flock to their favorite wine bistro or upscale bar for an aperitif and an hour of relaxation before heading home to watch the sunset over the bay.
Life in the SoMa district is fast-paced and busy, but it’s upscale and energized. It’s what draws buyers into the neighborhood. The ability to peruse museums located steps from your loft or lounge over wine at a local restaurant or coffee and a book in the park is difficult to pass up, which is what makes SoMa the desirable neighborhood it is.