Perspective of an SF homeowner and resident for 20 years. I also raise young kids here. In 2000, there was observably more crime everywhere, but rents were che

Perspective of an SF homeowner and resident for 20 years. I also raise young kids here. In 2000, there was observably more crime everywhere, but rents were cheap and as a young person I enjoyed the relative lawlessness. Market St used to be nothing but adult theaters and shady import shops. Things are 1000% NICER in ALL areas of the city. The transformation of China Basin has been incredible. But you have to put all the down-and-out people somewhere. We squeezed them out of many central refuge areas (Tenderloin, 6th St., Fillmore, Mission) and then expected instant gentrification. TL;DR... SF: far from perfect, but definitely not on a downward slope.