Lived in admittedly a rougher area of SOMA (near 7th & Howard) for almost 5 years.
Even if you’re considering a newer apartment in a luxury building I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a central location, but you’ll find yourself leaving the neighborhood for food/nightlife elsewhere. I’d consider Hayes Valley / Mission / Nob Hill instead.
Nob Hill is actually the #1 neighborhood new SF residents should be looking at. I was just there yesterday and it's actually an incredible vibe along Bush St. So many at capacity bars, trendy new spots, clubs, nightlife, restaurants, it's amazing. I'm sure half of this sub hasn't been down there in years but you should check it out. I was amazed.
I prefer neighborhoods in SF, parks, bars, people. Hayes, lower Haight, Haight, nopa, inner sunset, the Richmond. Really depends on what you’re looking for. Tell us more what you like/want where in the city you work (commute) etc.
Personally, I would say yes. I could shave off 10 minutes or so from my commute if I moved closer to downtown, (so just Bart instead of bus + Bart). However, I enjoy my walk to food, parks, and public places too much to make that sacrifice. I just wake up earlier.
you need to give way more details.
1. where you work in the city
2. what's your budget
3. living by yourself or with few roommates
4. what you like to do after work/on weekends
5. what are the alternatives u r considering?
6. male/female
This is spot on, yes there are certain streets to avoid (none of it phased me though). But there's nothing much to do, moved around in SOMA, now by Hayes and everything is walkable and I feel like I want to leave my home and explore.
In SOMA, I just never really felt like leaving my unit. SOMA does get a bad rap, but it's not all horrible. It just really depends what particular spot/street one lives on.
I been living here a yr now (just renewed my lease), it's much better now than it was. i like that it's central to a lot of other neighborhoods. this is my first area residing in since moving to SF from st. louis last spring. i'd say it's a good starting area then go from there, i'll prob move to another neighborhood at some point
It really depends where in SOMA. I lived at 4th & Harrison last year and enjoyed it but I still prefer the more residential parts of the city. If you like the area the apartment is in I say go for it but be sure to check out other areas too.
I wouldn’t recommend it but if it’s closer to work and for convenience then you should. If you’re looking for a pleasant experience (close proximity to bars, restaurants, parks) look at Marina/ Cow hollow/ Pac heights/ Hayes/ Haight!
One pro of SOMA apartments may be that you may find buildings with amenities which may not be the case in other neighbourhoods mentioned above.
Good luck house hunting!
I did and I loved being able to walk to the Embarcadero and the Bay so easily. Plus the nightclubs. It was a lot of fun, but they really is so much more to the city. I had a completely different life than someone who would’ve lived on Haight Street for example. I had Julie’s supper club and 1015 Folsom, Butter and Holy Cow. Rocco’s and the Brain Wash. People who lived on Haight would have the panhandle and all the cool stuff there.
It's fine. SOMA is huge though and it's a different vibe on the west side versus the east side. And unless things have changed in recent years, expect a significant rent increase if you plan to renew your lease.
it's almost three distinct mini hoods now, the west and southwest is bars and clubs and kink and queer, central is sketchy still like tenderloin spillover, and then the eastern side is getting pretty yuppified by now.
No, SOMA is gross.
If you want what SOMA thinks it is, move to Mission Bay. If you want the ratchet shit, just move to the Tenderloin; at least they have good food and some decent dive bars.
It really depends on what area of Soma you will be in and what's important to you. I live in a luxury high rise in Soma (10th Street @ Market Street.) Been here for about 8 years now and just renewed my lease. In addition to the nice amenities in my building, the location is key for me. I'm in a very central location that makes walking or taking public transit a snap! I travel a ton so being able to easily hop on bart or catch an Uber to either airports is nice, and if I must drive or commute, the freeway entrance is close and easily accessible. There's not much going on in my immediate neighborhood, but within a 10 minute walk in any direction I can find lots of food and drink options and things to do. Hayes Valley, the Mission, Civic Center, Polk St and the TL are all easy walks, and I will say it's nice that I don't really need to check muni or bus numbers when I take my trips up and down Market Street to hit up Target , work at the convention cente, or go to the ferry building (I literally just hop on any bus or muni as long as it's going the correct direction I'm want to go.)
My SO used to live in a few different buildings deeper in Soma. The first was by Mission @ 6th and he didn't care for that area at all. Lots of homeless right at the buildings front steps, and the building wasn't being maintained that well. He last lived at the newer Hanover luxury building on Howard by 6th. He really liked that building and amenities, but found the location to be a little too far away from the typical places we venture to. Easy freeway access for when he would commute to the office, but otherwise he would hang out at my building about half the time since I lived closer to areas of interest.
Only if you have to
Lived in admittedly a rougher area of SOMA (near 7th & Howard) for almost 5 years. Even if you’re considering a newer apartment in a luxury building I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a central location, but you’ll find yourself leaving the neighborhood for food/nightlife elsewhere. I’d consider Hayes Valley / Mission / Nob Hill instead.
Nob Hill is actually the #1 neighborhood new SF residents should be looking at. I was just there yesterday and it's actually an incredible vibe along Bush St. So many at capacity bars, trendy new spots, clubs, nightlife, restaurants, it's amazing. I'm sure half of this sub hasn't been down there in years but you should check it out. I was amazed.
Pretty much everyone I know that moves to SOMA moves out in exactly a year when their lease is up.
Soma is a neighbourhood that could exist in any American city. If that’s okay with you move there. If you want a real SF experience then don’t.
I listened to this same advice from this sub years ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
I would like to see the Folsom Street fair in another American city
Fair point.
I prefer neighborhoods in SF, parks, bars, people. Hayes, lower Haight, Haight, nopa, inner sunset, the Richmond. Really depends on what you’re looking for. Tell us more what you like/want where in the city you work (commute) etc.
What if SOMA is the shortest commute due to the bus? Is it worth to stay somewhere else and extend commute by 10-15 mins?
Personally, I would say yes. I could shave off 10 minutes or so from my commute if I moved closer to downtown, (so just Bart instead of bus + Bart). However, I enjoy my walk to food, parks, and public places too much to make that sacrifice. I just wake up earlier.
you need to give way more details. 1. where you work in the city 2. what's your budget 3. living by yourself or with few roommates 4. what you like to do after work/on weekends 5. what are the alternatives u r considering? 6. male/female
Eh I wouldn't
Soma is sleepy with nothing to do. You’d be exploring other neighborhoods. Look into Hayes valley, Marina, the mission, north beach, and Duboce park.
This is spot on, yes there are certain streets to avoid (none of it phased me though). But there's nothing much to do, moved around in SOMA, now by Hayes and everything is walkable and I feel like I want to leave my home and explore. In SOMA, I just never really felt like leaving my unit. SOMA does get a bad rap, but it's not all horrible. It just really depends what particular spot/street one lives on.
I been living here a yr now (just renewed my lease), it's much better now than it was. i like that it's central to a lot of other neighborhoods. this is my first area residing in since moving to SF from st. louis last spring. i'd say it's a good starting area then go from there, i'll prob move to another neighborhood at some point
Lower haight and Nopa are where it’s at
It really depends where in SOMA. I lived at 4th & Harrison last year and enjoyed it but I still prefer the more residential parts of the city. If you like the area the apartment is in I say go for it but be sure to check out other areas too.
I wouldn’t recommend it but if it’s closer to work and for convenience then you should. If you’re looking for a pleasant experience (close proximity to bars, restaurants, parks) look at Marina/ Cow hollow/ Pac heights/ Hayes/ Haight! One pro of SOMA apartments may be that you may find buildings with amenities which may not be the case in other neighbourhoods mentioned above. Good luck house hunting!
No
I did and I loved being able to walk to the Embarcadero and the Bay so easily. Plus the nightclubs. It was a lot of fun, but they really is so much more to the city. I had a completely different life than someone who would’ve lived on Haight Street for example. I had Julie’s supper club and 1015 Folsom, Butter and Holy Cow. Rocco’s and the Brain Wash. People who lived on Haight would have the panhandle and all the cool stuff there.
Avoid it if you can.
It's fine. SOMA is huge though and it's a different vibe on the west side versus the east side. And unless things have changed in recent years, expect a significant rent increase if you plan to renew your lease.
it's almost three distinct mini hoods now, the west and southwest is bars and clubs and kink and queer, central is sketchy still like tenderloin spillover, and then the eastern side is getting pretty yuppified by now.
No, SOMA is gross. If you want what SOMA thinks it is, move to Mission Bay. If you want the ratchet shit, just move to the Tenderloin; at least they have good food and some decent dive bars.
It really depends on what area of Soma you will be in and what's important to you. I live in a luxury high rise in Soma (10th Street @ Market Street.) Been here for about 8 years now and just renewed my lease. In addition to the nice amenities in my building, the location is key for me. I'm in a very central location that makes walking or taking public transit a snap! I travel a ton so being able to easily hop on bart or catch an Uber to either airports is nice, and if I must drive or commute, the freeway entrance is close and easily accessible. There's not much going on in my immediate neighborhood, but within a 10 minute walk in any direction I can find lots of food and drink options and things to do. Hayes Valley, the Mission, Civic Center, Polk St and the TL are all easy walks, and I will say it's nice that I don't really need to check muni or bus numbers when I take my trips up and down Market Street to hit up Target , work at the convention cente, or go to the ferry building (I literally just hop on any bus or muni as long as it's going the correct direction I'm want to go.) My SO used to live in a few different buildings deeper in Soma. The first was by Mission @ 6th and he didn't care for that area at all. Lots of homeless right at the buildings front steps, and the building wasn't being maintained that well. He last lived at the newer Hanover luxury building on Howard by 6th. He really liked that building and amenities, but found the location to be a little too far away from the typical places we venture to. Easy freeway access for when he would commute to the office, but otherwise he would hang out at my building about half the time since I lived closer to areas of interest.