I've been out here around 12 years, and I agree with the criticisms. However, I would add that it's an amazing place if you're in the right neighborhood and can

I've been out here around 12 years, and I agree with the criticisms. However, I would add that it's an amazing place if you're in the right neighborhood and can take advantage of the outdoors. As mentioned elsewhere, Mt. Tam is a short drive away, Marin headlands is even closer. Tahoe, Yosemite are between 3.5 and 5 hours away (usually, though traffic can cause issues). I bike a lot and it's an amazing place for that. It's 40 min round trip from my door to the top of twin peaks and panoramic views of the city+bridges, 40 min round trip for a fun single track mountain biking outing up Mt. Sutro. Not to mention the great routes on the peninsula and up north (Mt. Tam is a beautiful 50-60 mile round trip). In terms of cleanliness, I live in the Nopa/Alamo square area and I don't think it's particularly dirty. Petty theft from cars is an issue though. Regarding some of the other criticisms, I'm not sure whether things are very different in other major metro areas in the US. In NYC you'd have the same criticisms about the finance industry. In DC you'd also have the same issues with the law/government industry. In LA it's about where you sit in the entertainment industry. If you work in an area's "industry" I think it's probably the same. I've thought of leaving, but if I did I probably would aim for a smaller city with less of an "industry town" disposition.