The Problem(s) With Anaheim? (Santa Ana, Orange: low income, apartments, crime)

[andrewiscl]

Hello everyone I just recently joined these forums and I've noticed how many people here have negative views of Anaheim as a dangerous, dodgy, un-kept, and aside from Disneyland, boring city.

I have spent the majority of my life in Anaheim and I never thought it was as dangerous as some posts hint it to be. I understand boring because Downtown Disney and The Garden Walk do not a great malls make, and from what I hear Ember isn't all that great either.

What I'd like to know is what you think is so bad about Anaheim?
is it the lack of an actual shopping mall? crime? schools? I'd love to hear what people's opinions/thoughts on my hometown are(even if they're not that great.) So I ask,What is the problem with this place?

[Electrician4you]

It's old dirty and has crime. Commercial buildings are run down need to be refaced nd at night it has areas you don't feel safe in. It as a lot more low income areas and every time I drive through at night time I hear " Welcome to the jungle" by G&R in my head.

[dexter14]

I've lived here for 7 years and can't wait to move soon. It's dirty, overcrowded, overrun by illegals, Mexican and Asian gangs, bums and crackheads living at bus stops and asking you for money at every convenience store and gas station and everything is more expensive than it should be thanks to Disneyland and the stadium.

[red4ce]

I don't think Anaheim is all that bad but it definitely feels like it's declining. I went to the GardenWalk 2 or 3 Sunday's ago and boy the place was dead.

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by mbell75

everything is more expensive than it should be thanks to Disneyland and the stadium.

Totally untrue. Unless you are buying all of your food at Angels games and all your clothing at The Emporium on Main Street. If you're doing that there's a reason you can't afford Orange County.

[dexter14]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

Totally untrue. Unless you are buying all of your food at Angels games and all your clothing at The Emporium on Main Street. If you're doing that there's a reason you can't afford Orange County.

Yea, you are right, its completely reasonably priced out here! I mean, OC is so cheap! Not like cost of living here is around top 5 in the entire nation right?!

[andrewiscl]

I understand the decline in commercial buildings but many plazas/squares have gotten or are getting resurfaced or repainted or completely new facades. A good example of this is the Ball/Euclid Plaza which apparently worked so well it now has a Chipotle and a Panda Express.

[kwong7]

I've never lived in Anaheim, but I was born there and so I have an odd affinity for the place...I've also had a Disneyland annual pass for the last 12 years. I would agree with most replies that the problem seems to be crime, drugs, disenfranchised/marginalized people groups, low education attainment, ill-fitting policing methods, lack of well-paying jobs, and a lack of community or civic pride. Sadly, I believe the most damaging of all is the perception that all of the above are true. It seems like it's easy to take a defeatist attitude; which if you believe in the self-fulfilling prophesy theory, is problematic to positive change.

I think the solution needs to start with better police methodology. Help folks with drug problems by busting the dealing at the top, but treating the users at the bottom. Improve education that fits the needs of the city, encourage community projects, build parks, create more police substations near communities, setup CCTV near areas of high-crime activity, encourage beat cops to get to know the community, promote community leaders, and give tax incentives to promote better paying employers.

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by mbell75

Yea, you are right, its completely reasonably priced out here! I mean, OC is so cheap! Not like cost of living here is around top 5 in the entire nation right?!

Show us how prices are higher "than they should be" in Anaheim BECAUSE of Disneyland and the stadium. That's what you stated. I'd invite you to provide proof. You post it, I'll read it. If you post proof that EVERY gas station and convenience store has someone asking for money I'll read that too.

We get that you hate Orange County. That's acceptable. It's not for everyone. The 5 freeway runs smack through the center and has lots of on-ramps. Plenty of people love living in O.C. and one less un-happy person means shorter wait times buying a Slurpee.

[dexter14]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

Show us how prices are higher "than they should be" in Anaheim BECAUSE of Disneyland and the stadium.

Dude, are you kidding me? Do you even know the history of Anaheim? This place was nothing but orange groves with immigrant farmers before Walt Disney built Disneyland in 1955. This entire city is only where it is BECAUSE of Disneyland. This would be just another garbage city filled with illegal Mexicans like the ones that surround it (Santa Ana and Orange) without Disneyland. Everything from housing to gas to groceries to hotel rooms are cheaper in surrounding cities than anywhere within a 3 mile radius of Disneyland. Then you have the stadium. Why are the apartments within a few blocks of the stadium well over $2k for a little 2 bed/bath apartment when you can go a mile or two and they drop by like $300-500? 1818, Anavia, Avalon, Park Viridian....they aren't any nicer than the places a mile or two away, its the LOCATION. Do some research man.