Big cities going downhill

[JamesCC]

Has anyone else experienced traveling to big major cities near downtown areas for so run down and so dirty and filled with people begging for scraps that it seems like this is the new normal? I swear it never was like this growing up maybe I was just oblivious to it, but it’s so prevalent now.

[Crawl]

Downtown Dallas hasn't gotten back to being as bad as it was precovid, but Denver is turds everywhere.

The rest of Dallas HAS gotten worse. Denver is in a steep decline

[Gunnerdad80]

The wife and I don’t even bother going to Austin anymore. It’s definitely nowhere to bring children. My brother lives in Houston and I only go for maybe a weekend at a time, at the most. Very sad what’s being done, purposely, to our country. Heck, I live in small town Texas and I’m seeing homeless encampments pop up here and there. Voting has consequences…

[crc4]

Urban jungles and their animals, bums and junkies, homeless encampments, violent mentally ill people, illegal aliens, progressive politicians, etc.

American cities have become third-world cesspools. Another good reason to carry firearms at all times.

[HollowDawg]

Used to live in Atlanta area. Now live in N. Georgia town of a thousand. 100mile/2 hour each direction commute to work. Worth every mile and minute.

[Claymore504]

I am in close proximity to Houston, TX. I really don't ever go down town except for a Astros games avery once in a while. I am out near Austin every month for work and do avoid that dump. I was at a dentist appointment a couple days ago and an employee said her and her husband had gone to Seattle to see some friends and it was horrible. Way worse than what the TV/internet shows.

[PA USPSA]

I live outside Philadelphia and we will not go into the city now.  We will drive around the city now even if it makes the trip longer.  The DA refuses to prosecute the criminals, so crime is rampant.  It's just not worth the risk.

[Gunnerdad80]

I am in close proximity to Houston, TX. I really don't ever go down town except for a Astros games avery once in a while. I am out near Austin every month for work and do avoid that dump. I was at a dentist appointment a couple days ago and an employee said her and her husband had gone to Seattle to see some friends and it was horrible. Way worse than what the TV/internet shows.

That’s crazy about Seattle being worse than TV shows. And Austin is a sad and disappointing situation. Used to love going to swim at Barton Springs and checking out all the different little festivals and events. Now, if you go downtown, it feels like you’re dodging and stepping over homeless people every 10-15 feet. And they’re aggressive.

[crosstimbers]

It's really nothing new though it does appear to have accelerated. As someone else pointed out, prosecutorial entities refusing to do their jobs is the single most important factor. Even carrying, you run the risk of your own peril for the same reason, if you ever have to defend yourself you will likely be the exception for such prosecuting offices.

[cracker57]

Prosecuters not doing their job is the problem in most unruly cities. My wife says she is going to turn to a life of crime because the criminals and dirtbags have more rights than the victims. Want your rights back, become a criminal!

[bubbas4570]

I like North Dakota......at least yet.   Getting worse here, but nothing like what you guys report.

[SDDAVE]

Down town San Diego, 1501 Imperial Ave, the epicenter of homelessness.

[RSR]

That’s crazy about Seattle being worse than TV shows. And Austin is a sad and disappointing situation. Used to love going to swim at Barton Springs and checking out all the different little festivals and events. Now, if you go downtown, it feels like you’re dodging and stepping over homeless people every 10-15 feet. And they’re aggressive.

Downtown Austin is now a little less crazy than it was when sidewalk camping was legal, but the issues have now extended throughout the rest of the city and metro area...  Crime and violence and robbery at what used to nicer malls such as the Domain and Barton Creek have become commonplace, and pretty much every shopping center containing a Target or Walmart.

The biggest change I've noticed recently is that Austin beggars are increasingly changing from homeless druggies to homeless migrants -- and many of those are not from Central and South America...

It's to the point now that I feel I have to carry on my person whenever heading into Austin, whereas before a truck gun seemed sufficient.

[Grendel]

[crosstimbers]

Here I go....So, being of an age where just being able to do things on a computer is an accomplishment...I truly did my best to try and determine what a picture of Mr Spock petting a cat might mean. So far, I have discovered nothing. That's probably more an indication of my lack of modern-day computer lingo/imagery knowledge than anything else, BUT...if anyone cares to assist a boomer with some mild understanding....please message me.

There are space-related phrases involving felines that I can think of but none I dare post.....so?

Thank you.