Soma or North Beach
malyk: It really depends on what you like.  SOMA doesn't have a great neighborhood feel, IMO.  I do have a sweet 1200sq ft loft with an awesome view of Twin Peaks out the west window and a cool view of downtown out the east window.  Rent is $2200 a month with parking.  It's right near all the clubs around folsom and 11th which provides some noise at night from thursday through saturday.However, getting to the mission to eat or go out is super easy.  Getting downtown is also easy.  Getting to the castro or inner sunset are also super easy.  Getting to hayes valley is a quick walk. Getting to north beach is pretty easy as well.  Getting to the richmond is a little harder, but not that bad especially if you have a car.There is also not a whole lot of greenery in SOMA, so if that's something you like you'll have to focus on 1 or two areas.Most of the startups seem to be in eastern soma.In general soma has a very industrial feel (no greenery, lots of big warehouse like buildings, etc), but it seems to be one of the hot spots for redevelopment in the city, so it could be completely different in a few years.Oh, there's also not as high a concentration of restaurants and shops in soma like there are in north beach, haight, mission, etc.  There are some, with more coming all the time, but it isn't nearly as much as in other, more established neighborhoods.