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How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sat October 9, 2004 02:37 PM UTC
Hi,
I will be travelling to San Francisco for the first time and just wanted to know where are the areas to avoid. I seem to read a lot of conflicting statements about the tenderloin for example. Has anyone been to Sydney, Australia and is the tenderloin comparable to Sydney's Kings Cross? I have hotel room booked at the milano which is on 5th street adjacent to the shopping centre. What is this area like? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
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9 replies
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| San Francisco |
Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sat October 9, 2004 03:11 PM UTC
I used to work on 5th and Market and generally the area is a good location as it is near the San Francisco Center. Unfortunately, San Francisco has a large homeless problem and you will probably be confronted by seveal panhandlers. The panhandlers are everywhere, even in the financial district, but they are more aggressive here. At night, you may also come across the occassional lady of the night, hanging out on 5th and Mission.
Like any big city, just keep your commons sense and wits about you and you'll be fine.
Sorry I don't know about the Milano, only the general area. Go to www.tripadvisor.com.
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| San Francisco |
Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sat October 9, 2004 04:44 PM UTC
The tenderloin is MUCH worse than Kings Cross in Sydney and I would not recommend walking through it. However, the Milano hotel is not in the Tenderloin but a few blocks to the southeast of it. Your hotel is closer to the Powell St. Cable car turnaround. Avoid Turk and Eddy streets and you should be okay.
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| San Francisco |
Re: Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sat October 9, 2004 05:01 PM UTC
I agree with RBcal.
I am American. Been to both Sydney and SF and Id feel safer in Sydney. Not that it would keep me from visiting SF. Just my opinion.
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| San Francisco |
Re: Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sat October 9, 2004 05:08 PM UTC
I haven't been to Sydney, but I've sent an email to one of my best friends (scuba_gal) who's from Sydney, originally, and lived in San Francisco for 7 years. Maybe she'll be able to shed a little light when she jumps in.
Meanwhile, I'd say you should visit and not worry about the safety issue much. Like any city in the world, when wandering around, just keep an eye out for suspicious looking/acting people.
The Tenderloin area is where you'll find the most homeless, hookers, etc. But it's not as though you're going to hang out there, right? I'm sure you're going to be fine at that the Milano. It's a heavily trafficked area -- it's right by the Sony Metreon, a large shopping center and movie theater complex, the Museum of Modern Art... no worries.
Have a BLAST!
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| San Francisco |
Re: Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sat October 9, 2004 05:59 PM UTC
The Tenderloin is actually a pretty interesting part of the city. See my tip here for more details:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/10088/b870f/8/
The Tenderloin is not the best part of SF although there are worse. Hunter's Point for example is much worse than the Tenderloin but chances are you won't find yourself out there. I've walked through the Tenderloin several times in a group and alone both day and night. Although I would not recommend walking through some parts of the Tenderloin alone at night I still felt relatively safe. If you're there in a pair or in a group during the day you should be fine. Some of the people will look like they're less than desirable but most will just leave you alone. Just like any big city be aware of your surroundings, try to walk in groups, stick to high traffic areas. and use common sense.
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| San Francisco |
Re: Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sat October 9, 2004 06:33 PM UTC
I agree that Tenderoin is not really all that bad as it used to be. Over the years there have been lots of immigrant familes from SE Asia who have moved in with their familes. They certainly have improved it some, by opening small family oriented businesses.
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| San Francisco |
Re: Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sat October 9, 2004 07:11 PM UTC
Hi,
I'm originally from Sydney and lived in SF for 7 years. If you have wandered around areas such as Kings Cross you know how to conduct yourself. However, the tenderloin is more like a cross between the Cross and what Redfern used to be like. Keep your wits about you like you would in any major city.
Hve a blast!
Jackie
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| San Francisco |
Re: Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Sun October 10, 2004 01:52 AM UTC
Thanks everyone for your responses. It's much appreciated :) I now have a better idea what to expect and can adjust my behaviour accordingly. Thanks again everyone.
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| San Francisco |
Re: Re: How does San Francisco compare to Sydney in regards to safety Posted: Mon October 11, 2004 11:28 PM UTC
5th street, you are fine - anything lower (4th, 3rd, etc), you are fine too.... I mean, you are by Nordstrom's for God's sake! :-). You are within walking distance from MOMA, the cable car turnaround, and Union Square... not a bad spot, if not as swanky as others...
6th street, however, gets pretty grimy, and while you won't probably have any problems there it's just unpleasant , so just avoid walking it - especially at night ... you probably won't have any reason to walk down 6th anyway, but just in case you are wandering about...
Cheers
Marcelo
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