I grew up near you in a town once called El Toro, and when I went back a few years ago to show my fiance the house wherein I grew up, the whole area had been overrun by unruly savages. Truly, I wanted to cry, but as a man, it only strengthened my resolve for the the coming storm.
We are not far from El Toro, but our area is still good.
But I do know what you mean. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and I have not even wanted to see how bad that got. I even went to kindergarten in Lake View Terrace, of Rodney King fame.
I have grown up having left areas that have gone kaput most of my life.
I fully understand what you felt. It is very sad.