When you say "magic", what do you mean exactly? Where is the startup action? Or where is the fun/excitement/nightlife? If you meant the second, read on. Lots o

When you say "magic", what do you mean exactly? Where is the startup action? Or where is the fun/excitement/nightlife? If you meant the second, read on. Lots of people seem to be recommending SOMA. As someone who lived in SOMA for almost 2 years, take my advice: SOMA sucks. Due to the large warehouses and apartment complexes, SOMA throws away one of the city's best traits: its human scale and the "walkability" that brings. - Want to walk to a reasonably priced dinner within half a mile? You have about 4 choices if you're in SOMA. - Want to go to a corner store at 10 PM? You're out of luck if you're in SOMA. - Want to bar hop? You'll take about 3 hops if you're in SOMA. - Want to feel like you're a part of a living city and meet other people? In SOMA (not counting the Embarcadero), you'll see about one person on the sidewalk every two blocks after business hours are over. - Want to enjoy the city's grand views and expansive parks? In SOMA, get an apartment in a highrise and never leave it because that's the best you'll get. ------------- If you're looking for a livable, walkable, lively section of the city, then you should check out Polk Gulch, North Beach, Hayes Valley, the Haight, and the Mission. They all have pros and cons, but they're all better than living in SoMa. However, this is all moot if you just want to check out the startup scene in SOMA and not actually stay there for more than a day or two.