Who is SoMa?

SoMa is Symon, a property and liability insurance broker who commutes to downtown Vancouver from Burnaby on the SkyTrain. Symon has been working for a national firm for the last 9 years. He started out as an auto insurance salesman, received his Caib designation in 2007, moved into the world of homeowners insurance in 2008 and finally to property and liability for small Canadian businesses in 2010. It was a long road to his current position, one that let him experience all the minute levels of the insurance industry.

But Symon would never consider himself a salesman, an insurance broker or a businessman; his passion lies in the Arts. Symon is a folk musician. His instrument: the Kobza, a Ukrainian lute that has similarities to a mandolin.

Practicing since he was 7 years old, Symon was trained by his Grandfather, a Ukrainian immigrant, who came to Canada in 1947 and settled in the Edmonton area. Symon moved to Vancouver in his early 20s and has been playing in different folk bands for the last 10 years.

His first permanent residence was an apartment in North Vancouver, which he shared with his cousin. He then bounced around the Lower Mainland, most recently living in South Burnaby.

For the last two years, Symon has been considering purchasing a home in the Vancouver area. He wanted to move to a neighbourhood close to the local folk music scene. An area where he could be inspired by local talent, preform with others and continue his progression as a musician.

He chose the South Main or SoMa area.

After searching listings for months, Symon came across Evan, a Vancouver development that is currently cultivating a creative collective.

The six-story building is the product of a local architect firm, Shift Architecture, the team responsible for some of the most intriguing public and private buildings in the Vancouver area. The high ceilings and concrete walls are perfect for expansive sound; yet provide adequate sound dampening qualities. The building is walking distance from the clubs, restaurants and cultural venues that are actively booking local musicians. And, if it wasn't sweet enough already, the Evan building is mere blocks away from Long & McQuade, Vancouver's premiere instrument shop.

Evan's proximity to the SkyTrain is an added bonus, as it potentially allows Symon to be at his office in twenty minutes, without turning on his car. The transit route will shave off at least forty-five minutes of commute time daily; forty-five minutes extra that Symon can spend with his passion.

SoMa is Symon, a musician, who occasionally dabbles in insurance.