[Michael.SF.]

My Mom is from Oakland, my Grandfather worked 40 years for Chevron, my Uncle was a Col. stationed at the Presido and later at Letterman. I always enjoyed "The City". A day game at the stick with my grandfather, the three M's in the game Mays, McCovey and Marichal. But alas great memories of a once great city are all that remains. Replaced by scenes like these:

I moved to the bay area in 1991, by that time The City's glory had long faided. Replaced by decay, desecration and city government more concerned with sensativities then common sense. Moving to the City was not an option. My kids were young and no way was I going to raise them there.

What surprises me still today is that whenever I visit the City, as I often do, is the tremendous ego of the people who call it their home. They really believe that the City has a superiority over any other city in state, especially anything south of Santa Barbara.

Sure SF has perhaps the most beautiful natural settings for a city in the country, but after that? Yes, there are many good things about SF, but it is difficult to overlook the neglect, the filth, the mindset of it's people and the coruption of the city government, starting with "Da Mayor".

It comes as no surprise that people are fleeing.

[PoisedWoman]

I was originally from Chicago suburbs, lived in SF for ten years and loved it. When I went back to Chicago after an absense of two decades, I found it horrible shape. Many more bums than SF, more buildings boarded up, a dreadful atmosphere pervades that once bustling city. I'd move back to SF tomorrow if I could afford it.