4 ms·

I live in Boston, which is a similar size and population to SF, and it's extremely safe. There is some crime but even something minor like porch pirates are pre

I live in Boston, which is a similar size and population to SF, and it's extremely safe. There is some crime but even something minor like porch pirates are pretty much not a thing. There is a skid row named "Mass and Cass" which has had HBO documentaries made about it, but there are a lot of protests from citizens advocating to clean it up. At some point you need the police to arrest all these people and throw them in jail. Even a few weeks behind bars can drastically improve behavior among a population used to zero consequences for theft and violence.

thatfrenchguy 4y ago
You probably just live in a safe neighborhood frankly. I live in a safe hood in SF and never got anything stolen, and I've seen only one broken car window in the past year. It's night and day compared to Paris for me.
- thehappypm 4y ago
  Boston is a very, very safe place. There are really a very small number of bad neighborhoods (Mass & Cass for example).
  - eropple 4y ago
    I agree with you. Boston has an old reputation for sketchy areas. It surely was justified at one point, too (as well as outlying areas; Somerville was a bit eyebrow-raising when I was young, I remember that). But for most of the city, especially the places folks on HN are likely to ever be, it's quite safe. My parents sent me breathless statistics about Dorchester being a hive of scum and villainy and for being among "the least safe" areas of Boston, I never even saw a broken window, let alone heard gunshots or read reports of violence.
dudul 4y ago
Been in Boston for 15 years. Never had a problem. I've crossed the city many times at 2am walking drunk from a bar, nothing. Not even a single package theft in 15 years.
- taeric 4y ago
  As a male, I've done the same in Atlanta and in Seattle. In Atlanta, was so late coming home that the transit was closed and I walked 7ish miles to get home. Through downtown. I still don't claim it is a safer city than Seattle. Not by a long shot. Just as I don't recommend walking downtown Seattle super late. Though, of course, have done so many times. Similarly, we never had package theft in Seattle. I don't know how I could claim that isn't a thing, though.
  - lazyasciiart 4y ago
    I'm a woman, and I walk through downtown Seattle super late. It's not actually a black hole of murder, even after midnight.
    - taeric 4y ago
      Fair. I still wouldn't recommend it for a lot of places. Doesn't mean I find the place dangerous. Just norms of safety are relative.

thatfrenchguy 4y ago

You probably just live in a safe neighborhood frankly. I live in a safe hood in SF and never got anything stolen, and I've seen only one broken car window in the past year. It's night and day compared to Paris for me.

thehappypm 4y ago
Boston is a very, very safe place. There are really a very small number of bad neighborhoods (Mass & Cass for example).
- eropple 4y ago
  I agree with you. Boston has an old reputation for sketchy areas. It surely was justified at one point, too (as well as outlying areas; Somerville was a bit eyebrow-raising when I was young, I remember that). But for most of the city, especially the places folks on HN are likely to ever be, it's quite safe. My parents sent me breathless statistics about Dorchester being a hive of scum and villainy and for being among "the least safe" areas of Boston, I never even saw a broken window, let alone heard gunshots or read reports of violence.

dudul 4y ago

Been in Boston for 15 years. Never had a problem. I've crossed the city many times at 2am walking drunk from a bar, nothing. Not even a single package theft in 15 years.

taeric 4y ago
As a male, I've done the same in Atlanta and in Seattle. In Atlanta, was so late coming home that the transit was closed and I walked 7ish miles to get home. Through downtown. I still don't claim it is a safer city than Seattle. Not by a long shot. Just as I don't recommend walking downtown Seattle super late. Though, of course, have done so many times. Similarly, we never had package theft in Seattle. I don't know how I could claim that isn't a thing, though.
- lazyasciiart 4y ago
  I'm a woman, and I walk through downtown Seattle super late. It's not actually a black hole of murder, even after midnight.
  - taeric 4y ago
    Fair. I still wouldn't recommend it for a lot of places. Doesn't mean I find the place dangerous. Just norms of safety are relative.