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Typical Oakland attitude: I'm not in a gang and I don't sell drugs therefore I have nothing to worry about. Sure, I could be a victim of a random violent crime but hey **** goes down in SF too don't cha know. 40 murders so far this year... who cares. I don't live in one of those neighborhoods. It could never happen on my street.
As long as people in Oakland keep trying to deny the city's violent crime problem, its never going to change.
Typical Oakland attitude: I'm not in a gang and I don't sell drugs therefore I have nothing to worry about. Sure, I could be a victim of a random violent crime but hey **** goes down in SF too don't cha know. 40 murders so far this year... who cares. I don't live in one of those neighborhoods. It could never happen on my street.
As long as people in Oakland keep trying to deny the city's violent crime problem, its never going to change.
In basically every city, that's actually the case. Very few murders or homicides are just random drive-bys or stabbings. The vast majority of violent crime deals with those connected to some criminal activity. Of course muggings, pickpocketing et al will happen in any city, and I'm pretty sure your chance is similar in San Francisco and Oakland for that. Being aware solves that for the most part.
That's actually a well thought out post, but you should probably be addressing it towards the original poster instead of me.
I would question how you know what is "likely" to happen to someone who travels to Oakland, is this based on statistics? According to the stats you have a 1 in 64 chance of being a victim of violent crime in Oakland (1 in 212 is the average for California).
Really I don't worry about it. I've lived in Oakland for 8 years. I stay in my neighborhood, go downtown, go to the Lake, etc. The odds for me being hit by a random crime are low. It doesn't mean it can't happen, but for the average person, with some basic street smarts, you are fine in most areas.
That being said, if you are a young latino or black male, your odds of getting hit by a random crime increase, if there is a case of mistaken identity and you are in the wrong place. This is a societal problem, not an Oakland problem (Ahem Trayvon Martin).
But crime is pretty localized. If you aren't in one of the "hotspots" like those 100 blocks, not much happens.
Well, I've posted some questions about Los Angeles but if I don't visit Los Angeles, my girlfriend and I want to visit more up north west and San Francisco is definitely on our list of places we want to visit.
One of the things that really interest me about San Francisco were it's really steep hills and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. I know it might sound cliche to say that about San Fran, but when I visit a city I want to VISIT A CITY TO WALK! I love walking and exploring the city and it's people. Amongst other things, San Francisco seems to have a charm and character of it's own so I definitely have always had an interest in it. So here are my questions:
1) Walkable/mass transportation: I know this a probably a no brainer but I have to ask anyway. Though it's constantly ranked in the top 5 of walkable cities in the U.S., I still want to know from a native of San Francisco, how it is to work there. Coming from NYC, I'm more than conditioned to walking, so it really is nothing for me. I would like to know how it compares.
I also want to know how the mass transit is. NYC has probably the best mass transit in the world since it runs 24/7 but I want to know how the buses/trains/trolley's are over there. I don't care about renting a car and rather take public transportation or a cab anytime to save on money while I am there.
2) How is the nightlife?: Probably another silly question to ask but like I've said, I've never been there so I really don't know. I'm into the clubbing and bar scene so my girlfriend and I definitely would like to check out some clubs/bars while we're in the area. Other than that, is the city still vibrant at the late hours of the night? I love being out late at night.
3) Cuisine: How is the food? I'm into all sorts of food so I'm not picky. Any restaurants worth checking out? I heard about this over-the-top restaurants with dancing trannies and such.
4) How is the arts?: How is the art scene over there (theater, film, any type of art)? I know Los Angeles is the "creative capital of the world" and is south of San Francisco but I don't know much of the art scene over there but people I have met from San Francisco always seem to be very colorful of personality and creative (though they are not artist themselves).
5) Crime: With Oakland near by and usually top ranked as one of the most crime ridden areas of the U.S., I wonder how San Francisco is effected by this. Also, I hear mixed bags of San Francisco being a city where you have to watch you're back all the time . Don't know how true that is but a lot of people definitely tell me that crime there is sketchy.
6) The People: Coming from NYC, I find people to be actually pretty friendly is you ask general questions (directions, time, train questions) and it's not as unruly as some people make it out to be. This city is also very dynamic and of course has plenty of character. On that same note, it has gotten more corporate in the past years and social dynamics are changing in that people have more of this "you're in my way" type of attitude and it can be a very cold city at times. A city of cliques almost.
How are the people of San Francisco for the most part? Colorful? Full of character? Rude? Bland? Will I get a different vibe and culture that will be different from me in NYC?
Well, thanks for taking your time to answer my questions, I truly appreciate it!
1) If you're on vacation and thus don't have too demanding of a schedule, you can easily get by walking or via public transit. And you will likely be spending most of your time in the northeastern quadrant of the city anyway.
2) Nightlife I wouldn't count on being anything like NYC. I'm quite familiar with the nightlife here, so I can point you in the right directions if you'd like. After 11pm, you've got to find specific places to be for nightlife. The city as a whole is generally quiet after 11. But that doesn't mean there aren't lively, fun places to be. You just have to know where to go.
3) There is a very good, varied restaurant scene here. I know nothing of the trannies thing lol.
4) It exists but I'm not into that scene so it's hard to rate it.
5) Crime is not a factor if you are in the better 'hoods. If you're in a slum like the Mission or the Tenderloin, you could have a problem.
6) SF is most definitely a city of cliques. But I think this is more a commentary on society in general than any one place.
Oakland is a big city both in terms of people and land. Saying Oakland is all dangerous is like saying St. Louis is all dangerous. There are certainly nice areas in such a big city. Don't generalize.
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Originally Posted by DocGoldstein
That's your opinion. I have my opinion. Like I said, I'm not going to go back and forth about Oakland anymore. It's a waste of time, and I'm not changing my opinion, and I'm assuming you won't change yours. The funny thing is, ever since I posted in the "Oakland... violent and dangerous city" thread, I have gotten private messages from Oakland residents who say they agree with me about what was being said in that thread. They also agreed that there are a lot of Oaklanders who have "rosy colored" glasses on, and refuse to acknowledge anything negative about their city (not my words, but a message I received).
If you read the original poster's post, he even acknowledges that Oakland has a reputation of being violent and being full of crime which he/she is worried about. I'm simply confirming it to be true, which is my right, and my opinion. It's not only my opinion, but statistically it's a fact:
The Huffington Post is one of the most read e-publications on the internet, are they posting "Oakland-hate stuff" and trolling? No I don't think so, I believe their opinion is very well researched and backed by solid empirical data.
If you want to accuse me of trolling, and make this personal, then I can add you to my ignore list as well, and we both don't have to step on each others toes since I will never see another one of your post again. I have used up any patience I have left to go back and forth with the Oaklanders. Nothing personal, but I'm trying to make my experience here worthwhile, and enjoyable, and hopefully gain good information and give good information when the opportunity presents itself.
Typical Oakland attitude: I'm not in a gang and I don't sell drugs therefore I have nothing to worry about. Sure, I could be a victim of a random violent crime but hey **** goes down in SF too don't cha know. 40 murders so far this year... who cares. I don't live in one of those neighborhoods. It could never happen on my street.
As long as people in Oakland keep trying to deny the city's violent crime problem, its never going to change.
No one is denying anything. It's just what you and several others have said is way out passed the edge of logical sense. Now why should anyone who hasn't moved here yet listen to someone like you who doesn't live in Oakland as opposed to someone like Jade408 or myself who....are you ready....actually live in the city? I wouldn't asked someone in Montana what living in Nevada is like. One way to prove it is to mention that one of you, I forget who now said something about having to drive through the East Oakland flats or something to that effect? No, if you live in the Oakland hills you will never have to go through them unless you need to get to the airport. I live not too far from the flats but in a nice are near Mills College. Not once have I ever had to go through that area. I-580 takes me clear around all that. Those in the hills will get to that freeway before any other if they don't use the Warren Freeway (13). One would really have to go way out of their way to go through the flats. You obviously haven't the foggiest idea of what you're talking about either so let those of us who know do it.
Oakland is a big city both in terms of people and land. Saying Oakland is all dangerous is like saying St. Louis is all dangerous. There are certainly nice areas in such a big city. Don't generalize.
I never said Oakland is ALL dangerous. But large parts of the city are violent, and according to the FBI you have a 1/64 chance of being a victim of violent crime in Oakland compared to a 1/212 chance nationally. That didn't come from made up stories or personal vestment in Oakland, that's simple fact. I'm pretty sure not ALL parts of Afghanistan or Somalia are dangerous, doesn't mean I'd consider either, in general, safe.
Oakland and St. Louis are probably in the top 5 of cities I wouldn't live in right now precisely because they have high rates of violent crime.
Typical Oakland attitude: I'm not in a gang and I don't sell drugs therefore I have nothing to worry about. Sure, I could be a victim of a random violent crime but hey **** goes down in SF too don't cha know. 40 murders so far this year... who cares. I don't live in one of those neighborhoods. It could never happen on my street.
As long as people in Oakland keep trying to deny the city's violent crime problem, its never going to change.
Yeah I don't get the reasoning that "San Francisco has dangerous parts too". The OP specifically mentioned Oakland as his worry, and many of us are simply confirming that Oakland is indeed a city with a well earned reputation.
I don't think anyone here is saying "people who live in Oakland are going to get shot 100%", but people should know about an area they are moving to especially if they are out-of-towners with no previous experience of Oakland. The fact is, Oakland can be a rough place.
1) Walkable/mass transportation: I know this a probably a no brainer but I have to ask anyway. Though it's constantly ranked in the top 5 of walkable cities in the U.S., I still want to know from a native of San Francisco, how it is to work there. Coming from NYC, I'm more than conditioned to walking, so it really is nothing for me. I would like to know how it compares.
I also want to know how the mass transit is. NYC has probably the best mass transit in the world since it runs 24/7 but I want to know how the buses/trains/trolley's are over there. I don't care about renting a car and rather take public transportation or a cab anytime to save on money while I am there.
Very walkable. Mass transit, except for BART, is awful, and BART doesn't serve the city too well. Walking is often faster than taking the bus or even light rail.
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2) How is the nightlife?: Probably another silly question to ask but like I've said, I've never been there so I really don't know. I'm into the clubbing and bar scene so my girlfriend and I definitely would like to check out some clubs/bars while we're in the area. Other than that, is the city still vibrant at the late hours of the night? I love being out late at night.
How late? Bars and clubs are open until 2...CA law. Many restaurants are open until 1 or 2 too.
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3) Cuisine: How is the food? I'm into all sorts of food so I'm not picky. Any restaurants worth checking out? I heard about this over-the-top restaurants with dancing trannies and such.
SF food = awesome. What you're probably referring to in the last sentence is Asia SF.
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4) How is the arts?: How is the art scene over there (theater, film, any type of art)? I know Los Angeles is the "creative capital of the world" and is south of San Francisco but I don't know much of the art scene over there but people I have met from San Francisco always seem to be very colorful of personality and creative (though they are not artist themselves).
It's no LA (or NY) but it's not bad.
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5) Crime: With Oakland near by and usually top ranked as one of the most crime ridden areas of the U.S., I wonder how San Francisco is effected by this. Also, I hear mixed bags of San Francisco being a city where you have to watch you're back all the time . Don't know how true that is but a lot of people definitely tell me that crime there is sketchy.
There are good areas and sketchy areas. I'm sure that if you were able to manage in NY you'll be fine in SF.
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6) The People:
How are the people of San Francisco for the most part? Colorful? Full of character? Rude? Bland? Will I get a different vibe and culture that will be different from me in NYC?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.
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. Don't know how true that is but a lot of people definitely tell me that crime there is sketchy. 
