Rochester NY, a city with a strong industrial history, is yet another anecdotal counterexample. The very finest houses are in fact directly east from the city c

Rochester NY, a city with a strong industrial history, is yet another anecdotal counterexample. The very finest houses are in fact directly east from the city center (the Kodak mansion, for example), and in general the nicest neighborhoods are to the east and southeast. To the north and east of the city are the poorer, generally more dangerous areas. Of course as you start to get far enough from the city center to the north and west you'll see the wealthier neighborhoods again.