Thinking about a move to the Canal District in San Rafael (San Francisco: apartments, rent)

[Cinap]

Young yuppish couple with first baby on the way currently living in San Francisco (in a one bedroom apartment)...any word on why the Canal District is SOOOO much cheaper than the rest of Marin, besides the fact that Latinos live there?

If that is it, I am seriously considering a move there to buy a condo. Lived in Long Beach before SF and have no problems with Latino families, just the loser teenagers with nothing to do but cause trouble (I mean that for all races!), in fact I rather enjoyed having them as neighbors.

Any further help or words of wisdom as far as crime would be appreciated.

[California Vagabond]

I never thought of the Canal district as that objectionable, but I hasten to add that I have only lived near it, and not in it ... and my living near it was many years back.

I suggest calling San Rafael P.D. and seeing if you can chat with an officer there.

The online "Crime Reports" -- https://www.crimereports.com/ -- seems to have data for San Rafael, too.

[sanmiguel]

Before retiring, I was a probation officer in Marin County and the Canal is definitely one of the high crime areas. You might be able to overlook that but be advised that respect for the rights of others is not paramount regardless of what Benito Juarez said. The noise alone will probably be difficult to endure. At the very least, you should rent for several months before investing in a home.

[Cinap]

Originally Posted by sanmiguel

Before retiring, I was a probation officer in Marin County and the Canal is definitely one of the high crime areas. You might be able to overlook that but be advised that respect for the rights of others is not paramount regardless of what Benito Juarez said. The noise alone will probably be difficult to endure. At the very least, you should rent for several months before investing in a home.

Great idea

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by sanmiguel

Before retiring, I was a probation officer in Marin County and the Canal is definitely one of the high crime areas. You might be able to overlook that but be advised that respect for the rights of others is not paramount regardless of what Benito Juarez said. The noise alone will probably be difficult to endure. At the very least, you should rent for several months before investing in a home.

This is mainly the reason why I shy away from areas with a heavy Latino presence. I don't care about the perception of crime or undesirability, which is fed in large part by petty drug witch hunts in minority areas and police profiling - for example, in regards to where they run DUI checkpoints. The reason why I rent in an area with more whites is that the Hispanic culture is simply different, and it may not even occur to them that other people in the area might not be celebrating Cinco de Mayo until the wee hours of the morning, because where they come from, everyone does. I respect it, but at the same time, I avoid it to prevent conflicts..

[DocGoldstein]

Looking at the crime reports, it's a rough area for sure. I'd say it's comparable to bad parts of Long Beach (like near 20th street).

[Cinap]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

This is mainly the reason why I shy away from areas with a heavy Latino presence. I don't care about the perception of crime or undesirability, which is fed in large part by petty drug witch hunts in minority areas and police profiling - for example, in regards to where they run DUI checkpoints. The reason why I rent in an area with more whites is that the Hispanic culture is simply different, and it may not even occur to them that other people in the area might not be celebrating Cinco de Mayo until the wee hours of the morning, because where they come from, everyone does. I respect it, but at the same time, I avoid it to prevent conflicts..

See, I don't mind this at all, which is why I am considering.

I mean I can buy a place and have my monthly rent cut in half from what I currently pay. And I guess if we don't feel comfortable in a couple of years we could always try and sell or else just buy somewhere new since and then rent this place out.

Maybe it's just hard for me to picture "bad" parts of Marin

I'll go check it out this weekend, talk to some neighbors.

[North Land Market]

I think some of you are scared of your own shadow. I guess seeing a large Latino population and apartments brings fear to your typical city data member.

[sanmiguel]

Originally Posted by North Land Market

I think some of you are scared of your own shadow. I guess seeing a large Latino population and apartments brings fear to your typical city data member.

Some, perhaps but not all. After retiring from the probation department, my wife and I lived in Mexico quite happily for ten years before moving back to the USA for healthcare considerations. The first four years were on the outskirts of notorious Tijuana and later in highly regarded San Miguel de Allende. Obviously, the former has a higher crime rate but the noise at all hours is universal in Mexico. There are places in both the USA and in Mexico where folks can live comfortably without keeping their guards up. Likewise, there are places which common sense dictates you shouldn't spend time unless necessitated by one's financial circumstances.

[sanmiguel]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

The reason why I rent in an area with more whites is that the Hispanic culture is simply different, and it may not even occur to them that other people in the area might not be celebrating Cinco de Mayo until the wee hours of the morning, because where they come from, everyone does. I respect it, but at the same time, I avoid it to prevent conflicts..

Actually, that isn't really true. Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday whereas much of the Canal population is from Central American countries like El Salvador, Guatemala etc. Latinos are very patriotic and loyal to their native countries. Indeed, law enforcement has it's hands full on the occassions when soccer matches are played between those countries. Lots of drinking, celebrating by the victors and unfortunately all too often armed combat by the poor losers. They don't call themselves "fanaticos" for no reason.