Not to mention the fact that the reason urban areas have a reputation for crime, drug abuse, and other "social ills" is in large part due to "white fight" as it

Not to mention the fact that the reason urban areas have a reputation for crime, drug abuse, and other "social ills" is in large part due to "white fight" as it were. Even setting aside the racial component for a second, it stands to reason that if cities are "tough" because everyone with the means toward a more stable and comfortable life moved to the suburbs, then many of those same issues with poverty and resulting crime and drug abuse would be lessened by un-segregating things. If cities are rough because it's accepted that anyone with the means will leave, then they become less so when the urban/suburban split doesn't mirror the poor/rich (or white/minority) split.