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The only ones on this list I've been to are Denver and San Diego.
Most major cities I've been to have downtowns that were run down and at least felt somewhat unsafe. Even New Orleans where the police do have a big presence in the Quarter, the CBD and the Garden District and its not as well kept as it should be though its hard with drunk tourists and also the more ghetto locals who have no respect.
I'd say the cities with the most well kept and clean downtowns I've visited are Columbus, San Diego, Dallas, and Fort Worth. I've also never felt unsafe in these cities. Depending on your definition of downtown Washington DC its also very well kept, in fact most of Southwest and Northwest DC have been cleaned up quite well due to gentrification though the bad stuff simply has been pushed elsewhere.
As someone who has lived in Chicago and currently lives in Minneapolis, I can say they both are clean and safe for the most part. However, Minneapolis feels really sketchy along Hennepin Ave, which is the nightlife/restaurant strip downtown. There are drugs openly being sold and many young trouble makers hanging out(even with a huge police presence!). I frequent Hennepin quite often for nightlife and I don't walk around in fear, but I'm aware of what's going around me. On rare occasions, people shoot after the bars and clubs close, but overall Minneapolis feels rather safe, just not as safe as downtown Chicago.
Regarding Minneapolis, its really only an issue at night, specifically weekend nights during warm weather. Huge police presence does help a lot, but it does feel sketchy at times.
As a downtown Minneapolis resident, I would concur with your assessment. The area in particular around the Warehouse District LRT station always raises my consciousness level for the reasons you mentioned. I would add that this is at 7:30 on a weekday evening as I'm walking home from a downtown commitment each week. No doubt the sketchy feeling picks up after dark on weekends and especially, after bar close. Fortunately, my bar days are long over and I'm in bed at 2:30 a.m. each night.
Other than around that particular LRT station and perhaps for a block or two in each direction, I believe downtown Minneapolis feels very safe. Like many cities, you only have to walk a couple of blocks to go from that to upscale condos, restaurants, sporting events, etc.
As a downtown Minneapolis resident, I would concur with your assessment. The area in particular around the Warehouse District LRT station always raises my consciousness level for the reasons you mentioned. I would add that this is at 7:30 on a weekday evening as I'm walking home from a downtown commitment each week. No doubt the sketchy feeling picks up after dark on weekends and especially, after bar close. Fortunately, my bar days are long over and I'm in bed at 2:30 a.m. each night.
Other than around that particular LRT station and perhaps for a block or two in each direction, I believe downtown Minneapolis feels very safe. Like many cities, you only have to walk a couple of blocks to go from that to upscale condos, restaurants, sporting events, etc.
Of course, it's no San Jose but what is??
I agree with this 100 percent. Minneapolis feels completely safe outside of that area (specifically around the warehouse district LRT station).
I notice on social media that the people who talk the most trash about Chicago are not from here and have never been here. I can tell by their ignorant comments that they have never set foot in Chicago.
That's usually the case with any location. People seem to have the strongest opinions about places they've never even been .
The Topper has done a disservice to real advocates of downtown San Jose with all these garbage polls. Downtown SJ is small and low-rise for a city its size and it has relatively weak adjacent neighborhoods, but it's more pedestrian-oriented and active than a lot of other sunbelt downtowns, including Phoenix, Dallas, and several others.
In terms of safest downtown on this list, I'd choose San Diego.
Last edited by Vincent_Adultman; 07-25-2018 at 06:03 PM..
The Topper has done a disservice to real advocates of downtown San Jose with all these garbage polls. Downtown SJ is small and low-rise for a city its size and it has relatively weak adjacent neighborhoods, but it's more pedestrian-oriented and active than a lot of other sunbelt downtowns, including Phoenix, Dallas, and several others.
In terms of safest downtown on this list, I'd choose San Diego.
I do agree it has a weak adjacent neighborhoods; however, it's improving a lot, like Alameda and Japantown, which are cool and fun to hang out. I don't agree that downtown is small at all. When were you there? It has gotten big with lots of high and mid rise construction over the last 7 years.
I assume this is sarcasm? I don't understand the meaning of posting that...
Ok, meant it's more fun than Chicago's Loop, original downtown core: with much more activity, especially at nights/ weekends. Yeah, I know Millenium Park and State st. shopping area, but Downtown SJ is on a tear! Check it out. It's very clean and safe, too.
WTF.....I've been to downtown San Jose and I'll actually be there again for a wedding in a few weeks. Have you been to Chicago? No offense but that statement is just silly.
Minneapolis shouldn't almost be leading this poll. It isn't a dangerous city in general but downtown has some issues. I've been to three of the downtowns in this poll - Minneapolis, Denver and Chicago. Minneapolis is probably the least safe of the three.
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