Posted on 12/11/2021 1:52:10 PM PST by devane617
Caitlin Foster fell in love with San Francisco’s people and beauty and moved to the city a dozen years ago. But after repeatedly clearing away used needles, other drug paraphernalia and human feces outside the bar she manages, and too many encounters with armed people in crisis, her affection for the city has soured.
“It was a goal to live here, but now I’m here and I’m like, ‘Where am I going to move to now?’ I’m over it,’” said Foster, who manages Noir Lounge in the trendy Hayes Valley neighborhood.
A series of headline-grabbing crime stories — mobs of people smashing windows and grabbing luxury purses in the downtown Union Square shopping district and daytime shootings in the touristy Haight-Ashbury — has only exacerbated a general feeling of vulnerability. Residents wake up to news of attacks on Asian American seniors, burglarized restaurants, and boarded-up storefronts in the city’s once-vibrant downtown.
San Franciscans take pride in their liberal political bent and generously approve tax measures for schools and the homeless. They accept that trashy streets, tent encampments and petty crime are the price to pay to live in an urban wonderland.
But the frustration felt by Foster, who moved from Seattle in search of more sunshine, is growing among residents who now see a city in decline. There are signs that the city famous for its tolerance is losing patience.
The pandemic emptied parts of San Francisco and highlighted some of its drawbacks: human and dog feces smeared across sidewalks, home and vehicle break-ins, overflowing trash cans, and a laissez-faire approach by officials to brazen drug dealing. Parents despaired as public schools stayed closed for most of last year as nearby districts welcomed children back to the classroom.
Meanwhile, residents and visitors scurry past scenes of lawlessness and squalor. Just steps from the Opera House and Symphony Hall, drug dealers carry translucent bags filled with crystal-like rocks or stand outside the public library’s main branch, flashing wads of cash while peddling heroin and methamphetamine.
“There’s a widespread sense that things are on the wrong track in San Francisco,” said Patrick Wolff, 53, a retired professional chess player from the Boston area who has lived in the city since 2005.
Tolerance is really stupidity for these idiots
BINGO!!!!
So, this woman moves to San Francisco for sunshine? She is not a very good researcher.
Even liberals have their limits. Too bad they still can’t figure out cause and effect.
Do you live in California?
Wanna bet she ends up in Austin, TX.
Yes, I’m a minority republican. Behind enemy lines, in South SF. My town is actually in San Mateo County despite the name, miles south of SF. Conservative neighborhood where we fly the American flag. But have to do business in SF sometimes. Relatively safe, as long as you stay out of Hunters Point and Tenderloin districts. Most of our medical services are in safest districts. Born and raised in SF, saw it transition from Republican to Democrat run over last 70 years. Fled south on the peninsula when Mexicans started flooding in; now the Mexicans are complaining about white techies moving in. Nothing the Democrats do is ever good, they spoiled a nice city. City is still better than cities on the east coast, however, where I have relatives. Worst areas here are better than nice areas in eastern cities.
So what are your reasons for staying?
The Streets of San Francisco where dogs step in people poop.
Didn’t she read the sign coming into the city: “You Are Now Entering A Progressive Chithole”.
Mainly medical and family. My wife gets treatment for cancers, and best facilities in the country are nearby. My hospitals and doctors are a half mile away. We mainly stayed because my wife's mom was in assisted living nearby and my wife is responsible for her medical and finances, and does so constantly. Also other relatives nearby. Then there is our neighborhood, ideal, neighbors take care of each other, no crime. Weather is perfect, just outside the fog belt. BART subway station is half a mile away, and so are freeway access. Shopping is plentiful, with several malls within a mile. Lots of restaurants and stores within walking distance. The seashore is a couple miles away, easy access to the beach and drives along the coast. Airport is a few miles away. Home is paid for. Lots of parking, and little traffic in our neighborhood. Lots of recreational areas, with walking trails within a mile of us. With our car, we can visit snow country in the Sierras in a few hours, or travel to seaside amusement parks in an hour. Pretty ideal place except for the bad politics.
Sounds idyllic!
Ed
The last time I was in San Francisco all of the panhandlers had Apple iPhones and Apple Pay. San Francisco is where high-tech meets stupid, crazy, lazy, and dumb.
No kidding, I remember how cold it was at Candlestick during the "summer" months.
I wanted to move for the longest time. But my wife always pointed out the good points of staying. And after comparing to other cities around the nation, I had to agree with her. Because of the tech boom, local towns are thriving. Genentech and other biotech firms in So.SF contribute a lot to schools and businesses here. Plenty of jobs. My eldest daughter worked at Genentech for many years before moving to Iowa with her husband; she gave up a good paying job but followed her husband to his roots. Des Moines is nice but can't compare to what is available here. Another daughter worked at an online publishing firm here before moving to Kansas with her husband, then they later moved to Texas. Again, both places are okay but can't compare to what is available here, Texan daughter moved back here and got a tech job paying several times what she earned in Texas. Lots of tech jobs; homeless people are lazy or drug addicts and don't seek work. Despite the stereotypes of SF, there are plenty of decent places to work and live around the Bay Area. Within 8 blocks of us are several constructions going on, a new police station and 6-story multipurpose main library with park and walking trail. It gets better and better here in the suburbs. Now if only the Democrats would go away...
“No kidding, I remember how cold it was at Candlestick during the “summer” months. “
I was told by a native of SF that August is the coldest month.
That’s mostly true, at least up until the middle of August, when the fog doesn’t appear for a couple of months. Mid August to early October are normally the two warmest month, due to the absence of fog in the Bay Area.
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