Safety in Outer Mission, S. Van Ness & 22nd. Opinions? (San Francisco: apartment, crime)

[saturn1ne]

Hi! I'm moving to San Francisco in July. I've heard a lot of mixed things about the Mission, from naive to neurotic, and the main conclusion I've come to is that it's a very spotty neighborhood (good areas mixed in with dangerous ones.) I've lived in Cleveland and had my car stolen and apartment burglarized before. I'm not looking to repeat that experience, but I know what it is like to live in a city.

I found a very promising apartment (good size, "good" price) on S. Van Ness near 22nd. I have to commute to my studio in Potrero Hill everyday, and that was one of my reasons behind looking in the Mission.

Does anyone have any advice about personal safety in this area? I'm hoping to commute primarily by bicycle and, like most people, would like to avoid or at least lower my chances of being mugged.

Thanks guys I appreciate it!

[CiNYC]

That would be inner mission actually. I lived on 22nd @ South Van Ness a few years ago and loved it. It is a bit different than west of Valencia (more hispanic and working class families, less hipsters). I think it's a fun, diverse neighborhood with access to everything, but I'm sure others may feel differently.

Crime does occur around there, but you're generally fine if you're not involved with the feuds/illicit activities. As for a car, I haven't had one here, but I'd imagine the chance of something happening to it would be relatively high. The same could be said about most SF neighborhoods. Ignore both the naive and the neurotic, use common sense, and enjoy the neighborhood IMO.

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

Originally Posted by CiNYC

That would be inner mission actually. I lived on 22nd @ South Van Ness a few years ago and loved it. It is a bit different than west of Valencia (more hispanic and working class families, less hipsters). I think it's a fun, diverse neighborhood with access to everything, but I'm sure others may feel differently.

Crime does occur around there, but you're generally fine if you're not involved with the feuds/illicit activities. As for a car, I haven't had one here, but I'd imagine the chance of something happening to it would be relatively high. The same could be said about most SF neighborhoods. Ignore both the naive and the neurotic, use common sense, and enjoy the neighborhood IMO.

Just don't flash any provocative colors and you'll be ok. Don't leave anything visible in your vehicle (common sense) and you shouldnt run into too much trouble.

[bellalunatic]

Originally Posted by CiNYC

That would be inner mission actually. I lived on 22nd @ South Van Ness a few years ago and loved it. It is a bit different than west of Valencia (more hispanic and working class families, less hipsters). I think it's a fun, diverse neighborhood with access to everything, but I'm sure others may feel differently.

Crime does occur around there, but you're generally fine if you're not involved with the feuds/illicit activities. As for a car, I haven't had one here, but I'd imagine the chance of something happening to it would be relatively high. The same could be said about most SF neighborhoods. Ignore both the naive and the neurotic, use common sense, and enjoy the neighborhood IMO.

I'll third that. South Van Ness can be a busier street sound wise, but other than that common sense/ street smarts is your friend, you'll be fine.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

It's definitely got a barrio feel there, north of Cesar Chavez and East of Mission. Somewhat gentrified over the past 15 - 20 years (it was a real barrio when one of my friends lived there during the late 80s).

[jfields]

I just said the same thing to someone else that I'm about to tell you. The Mission has its share of gangs, drugs, murders ect. But as long as you don't get caught up in that, you should be fine. The Mission isn't like one of those neighboorhoods where the people from there can tell if your from there or not and, if your not, beat you down and rob you. It's a very diverse area and people go there from all over the city to eat, drink and party, so almost anyone fits in. I'd say go for it, just be careful if your on Cesar Chavez st. or oustide of either one of the BART stations.

[ssmaster]

Homicides in San Francisco 2007/2008/2009 (http://www.sfgate.com/maps/sfhomicides/ - broken link)
the sfgate homicide map shows 17 murders in a 4 blosck radius of that intersection in the last 2.5 years

[John McClane]

Just don't flash any provocative colors and you'll be ok. Don't leave anything visible in your vehicle (common sense) and you shouldnt run into too much trouble.

So you can end up being murdered just because of the color of clothing you wear, gee sounds like a real safe area.

[E14]

Originally Posted by John McClane

So you can end up being murdered just because of the color of clothing you wear, gee sounds like a real safe area.

city living is not for you
keep your sheltered ass in the suburbs
scrawny pale people such as yourself would never be mistaken for a gang member and therefore you could wear whatever you want
for those of us who have some pigment and/or muscle, colors become somewhat of an issue. Im white, but sometimes mistaken for hispanic. I just try not to wear all clothes of the same color, and haven't had any issues. I'm in fruitvale more than the city, but its probably a similar situation in the mission.

[Bunjee]

You'll be fine. Just fine. There's a bus right on 24th that'll take you into Potrero if you feel not so comfortable riding, or if you just feel too tired. I've even walked down 24th from the Mission into Potrero at 2AM. Keep common wits and it's really not that big a deal. If your office is near 16th just ride down 16th. There's too much street traffic for anyone to screw with you.