Western Addition (San Francisco, Laguna, Fillmore: to buy, college, live)

[collegekid374]

I've read through some threads from a few years ago about Western Addition, but I'm wondering about how things are around there in 2012.

-How is the area around Webster and Eddy St?
-Would it be safe to walk around Webster and Filmore between Eddy and Geary late at night to catch public transportation?
-How's the area around the Safeway on Webster?

Thanks in advance

[0'Farrell]

Originally Posted by collegekid374

I've read through some threads from a few years ago about Western Addition, but I'm wondering about how things are around there in 2012.

-How is the area around Webster and Eddy St?
-Would it be safe to walk around Webster and Filmore between Eddy and Geary late at night to catch public transportation?
-How's the area around the Safeway on Webster?

Thanks in advance

Its the projects. Would you feel comfortable walking through the projects?

[dragontales]

Stay away from the projects.

[Isebiel]

Webster and Eddy looks pretty seedy. That's where the Fillmore Center ends and the projects begin. The Fillmore Center itself is very pretty and well maintained -- the projects, not so much! Kind of run down and trashy. (Though still pretty nice compared to comparable areas in, say, Chicago.)

I think how safe you'd be walking around there at night would depend a lot on what you look like: age/gender/ethnicity. An old Chinese lady would probably be fine. A young black or hispanic man may very well be seen as a rival and get into conflict with local gangs. There is some issue with stray bullets, too, but that's been pretty rare lately. If you can get over to Fillmore easily you'd be fine, I think.

The area around the Safeway on Webster is kind of disturbing, frankly. I've been hollered at a couple times by various crazy ladies. There's a rebate/recycling center in the Safeway parking lot to turn in bottles and cans for cash, so it's a beacon for homeless people. There are a number of cool stores in the area, though. I don't feel unsafe going there (other than maybe from the cars coming out of the parking lot...) but it's one of the least pleasant areas I visit in the city.

[collegekid374]

Thanks for the opinions. I'm a tall white male in my early 20s :/

[beb0p]

I have a friend who lives near Fillmore and O'Farrell and she loves it. She's a petite young woman.

The key is to never venture east of Webster. There are three projects about half a block east/south of Eddy and Webster. Gang bangers used to hang out on Laguna and Turk, and there's always trouble at the liquor store on Laguna and Eddy. But Webster is a wide street and kinda serve as a dividing line.

Walking on Fillmore late at night should be fine. Not sure about Webster though.
.

[collegekid374]

Originally Posted by beb0p

I have a friend who lives near Fillmore and O'Farrell and she loves it. She's a petite young woman.

The key is to never venture east of Webster. There are three projects about half a block east/south of Eddy and Webster. Gang bangers used to hang out on Laguna and Turk, and there's always trouble at the liquor store on Laguna and Eddy. But Webster is a wide street and kinda serve as a dividing line.

Walking on Fillmore late at night should be fine. Not sure about Webster though.
.

The place that I'm looking at is just east of Webster on Eddy. Maybe I'd be able to dash across the Webster to safety at night to catch the bus at Filmore. This does seem less than ideal..

[Natural510]

If you want complete honesty, a white guy walking near the projects in a major city is usually seen as either a cop or a victim (or both). It probably won't be the San Francisco experience you're seeking.

[Larry Siegel]

The Western Addition is a large area and most of it is fairly to very pleasant, but the area around Webster and Eddy is not. I would look elsewhere.

[Nineties Flava]

Originally Posted by Natural510

If you want complete honesty, a white guy walking near the projects in a major city is usually seen as either a cop or a victim (or both). It probably won't be the San Francisco experience you're seeking.

^That, or some will think you're trying to buy drugs, including the actual police.