Are you happy in the bay? (London: shop, safety, move)

[AshMN]

I moved from Minnesota, I hate this place, too crowded, traffic, very expensive rent, never feel like I am in USA, , ☺️. Mn is beautiful , other than 4 months cold pleasant life, everywhere you can see nice lakes and greenery’s.

[Heidi60]

I used to love going to the City with so much to do but after Willie Brown, the drugs and homeless problems exploded. AshMN is correct...never feel like I'm in USA. California, especially the Bay Area is becoming like a third world country.

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by Heidi60

I used to love going to the City with so much to do but after Willie Brown, the drugs and homeless problems exploded. AshMN is correct...never feel like I'm in USA. California, especially the Bay Area is becoming like a third world country.

Third World = too many people of color.

I've tangled and called you out countless times for your ethnocentrism. Fortunately, folks like you are on the waning side of the demographic trend. There are plenty of people of all backgrounds who appreciate the cultural mix. And let's face it - you're not special anymore. You don't get to dictate everything.

As for the policy issues - that's not necessarily due to the ethnic mix - but a lot of policy decisions that were made by folks like you with consequences today. Like the deinstitutionalisation of mentally ill people. Urban Planning, or lack thereof. Suburban Sprawl. Folks who scotched public transit.

[shoenberg3]

I am an Asian American resident in San Jose and I tend to agree.

The aging infrastructure, homeless on the streets etc all seem very out of place for a supposed first world country like the USA, let alone an affluent place like Silicon Valley.

[Heidi60]

Originally Posted by silverkris

Third World = too many people of color.

I've tangled and called you out countless times for your ethnocentrism. Fortunately, folks like you are on the waning side of the demographic trend. There are plenty of people of all backgrounds who appreciate the cultural mix. And let's face it - you're not special anymore. You don't get to dictate everything.

As for the policy issues - that's not necessarily due to the ethnic mix - but a lot of policy decisions that were made by folks like you with consequences today. Like the deinstitutionalisation of mentally ill people. Urban Planning, or lack thereof. Suburban Sprawl. Folks who scotched public transit.

More laughable personal attacks, but that is just an example of what I was saying the Bay Area is going downhill faster every day. Even commentators on national news have noticed the downward spiral.

If someone doesn't care for suburban spraw, or policies that protect our way of life, maybe L.A. would be a better fit.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by Heidi60

never feel like I'm in USA. California, especially the Bay Area is becoming like a third world country.

A "third world country" whose inhabitants earn more than 99% of the U.S. population?
I think you mean "a foreign country" rather than a "third world country."

Yeah there's a lot of foreigners here. I don't mind it all. Get used to the feeling of seeing this happen more and more. The world is in the midst of globalization and as the population continues to rise, you will see people from all cultures mixing together increasingly in all parts of the globe, even in your little Minnesota corner of the world .

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by Heidi60

More laughable personal attacks, but that is just an example of what I was saying the Bay Area is going downhill faster every day. Even commentators on national news have noticed the downward spiral.

If someone doesn't care for suburban spraw, or policies that protect our way of life, maybe L.A. would be a better fit.

You love dishing it out but when you get called out - it's pearl clutching time and outrage!

Actually, I'm born and raised in the Bay Area. You know that. I'm not going away. I've dealt with folks like you all my life and the tide is turning against ya'll.

Kind of ironic - if the Bay Area is "third world" in that we have crumbling infrastructure, it's cause of your side voting to disinvest in the place. Meanwhile, so-called "third world" countries like China are building up their infrastructure. What's it gonna be?

You can either join us to make the Bay Area a better place, or you can be bitter and complain, or you can leave. Simple as that.

[Heidi60]

A once beautiful place to live has become a reflection of the homeless and others who are now moving here in large numbers, costing taxpayers for their handouts. Is it really a surprise any thinking person would disinvest in a place that grows more homeless camps than decent public schools? Folks like me have to pay for private school to educate and challenge our young, bright leaders. Infrastructure is a long term investment, but I think short term investing is needed to support us in our retirement.

If China's infrastructure is better than ours, why would anyone stay in the U.S.?

The Bay Area Kool Aid working well some, but no one will tell me where to live or what I, as an American, will think - I vote accordingly. You are fortunate to have known folks like me (but note, I don't know you so not clear what you pretend to claim) to lead the way to all the great valley once was, so if the tide is turning, it isn't in the public interest.

[Heidi60]

And this is the Bay Area's version of the third world culture:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA3t2RqkYVo


Sadly, I remember when life in the Bay Area was much better and safer. Makes me wonder what their plan is to return to civilization. Be sure pick up your poop map before visiting or moving here.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by Heidi60

If China's infrastructure is better than ours, why would anyone stay in the U.S.?

People move where the stronger currency is, but I know many people in China who have no interest in moving to the U.S. They're happy with how things are for them now in China. I would imagine that the buying power of Chinese currency in years to come will become stronger than the dollar.

Originally Posted by shoenberg3

The aging infrastructure, homeless on the streets etc all seem very out of place
for a supposed first world country like the USA, let alone an affluent place like Silicon Valley.

This has been the case for the U.S. throughout the 20th century.

Originally Posted by silverkris

but don't have any constructive solutions.

Unfortunately, the constructive solutions are probably going to end up being those that Americans find hard to swallow
- socialism ... or doing things the way China is currently doing things (it's working for the Chinese population, but
obviously there's long term problems with the idea of having a powerful autocracy running things.)

Capitalism the way the U.S. practices it has flaws. The best solution would probably be a combination of
U.S.-style democracy and capitalism plus European-style socialism. Assuming U.S.-style democracy is resilient
enough to survive Trump, otherwise what's the point of having a democracy?