Well rounded perspective from someone who's lived
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6/13/2012
A little about me so you can consider the source: I've been an airline pilot for 14 years and have lived in many cities. I also sleep in various other U.S. cities about 3 days a week, so I consider my perspective to be pretty informed from a comparison point. Also, keep in mind that I moved into Hayes Valley, witch if you research is considered one of the nicer neighborhoods.
Here's my honest opinion: If you like CONSTANTLY cold and windy weather (the delusional locals here get all excited when it is warm for 4 hours one day a week in the summer), frumpy/grumpy girls, entitled/snotty hipsters, crazy/violent/hostile homeless EVERYWHERE (including the "nice" neighborhoods), pretentious yuppies, trash/urine covered streets.. then this is the city for you!
If you dislike any of the things I just listed, then the East Bay might be a better option. I lived in Oakland for a year before I came here and despite it's reputation, never felt threatened or intimidated the way I have MANY times in San Francisco. Here is a short list of the interactions me and my girlfriend have had the privilege of experiencing in the last two years:
- Being spit on and threatened by a homeless man at a bus stop
- Having to escort my girlfriend to and from BART as she was constantly embarrassed and yelled at by the homeless as she tried to make her way to the train
- Being yelled at and threatened after narrowly avoiding stepping into a puddle of urine (apparently the homeless man was insulted that I did not just step into his pee-river)
- A man naked from the waist down walking in a circle around a public sidewalk tree while urinating on it
- Almost unknowing ingesting illegal narcotics after buying a chocolate truffle from a street vender in dolores park
- Stepping into human excrement on the public sidewalk while in my work shoes on the way to work
Keep in mind that there are many, MANY more delightful run-ins with the fabulous, but down on their luck street dwellers that I just don't have the time to list here. The strange thing is how POLITE, and COURTEOUS the citizens and homeless population of other cities seem after leaving San Francisco. It is so strange to hear the words "thank you" after giving a homeless person in Seattle a dollar. There is something that makes the homeless a bit more rotten and hostile in SF, but I have no idea what that might be. In other cities, I am so happy to help this population out, as they seem like pleasant people that are just down on their luck. In San Francisco they are angry, borderline violent, and seem to relish bullying the people that are not in their position. Very strange.. and very sad.
Very sad how the city police will give you an UNLAWFUL parking ticket, then hold their stance in court as they know you'll run out of time and patience and then just pay the ticket. They seem very keen on illegally collecting money, but definitely do not seem to have the time nor recources to protect its citizens from danger and intimidation.
But on the plus side: The restraunts are great!
Gabriel | San Francisco, CA