Country Discussion: USA

[SerenityNigh]

Seeing as the US like to simplify their spelling then why is neighbourhood, neighberhood and not neyberhood.

HOA

 

[malfosse]

HOA

I have no idea what that means mate. It's probably something really simple and I'll end up looking like a complete idiot.
No change there then, before anyone replies.

 

[SerenityNigh]

I have no idea what that means mate. It's probably something really simple and I'll end up looking like a complete idiot.
No change there then, before anyone replies.

it's a very uniquely American neighborhood organization that charges fees and is generally makes your life terrible that exists in place of any real semblance of community in most parts of the US; in places where these exist you usually can't abstain from being a member and the fees can be outrageous, sometimes more than the cost of your home.

 

[street end]

Have been lucky enough to work/visit in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and NY, (have flew in to Atlanta) love the states and have always been well looked after, the food, hospitality and people I’ve worked with have all been great.

 

[malfosse]

it's a very uniquely American neighborhood organization that charges fees and is generally makes your life terrible that exists in place of any real semblance of community in most parts of the US; in places where these exist you usually can't abstain from being a member and the fees can be outrageous, sometimes more than the cost of your home.

Just had a quick read about them, and for them to exist in the land of the free they do seem very prohibitive.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Just had a quick read about them, and for them to exist in the land of the free they do seem very prohibitive.

land use policies (land zoning) in the US is a very bad thing; maybe these were implemented with good ideas, although many have racist origins, but if you are interested you can dive deeply into that subject.

 

[Buckers]

Got back from California last week, I’d give anything to live near Mariposa. What an amazing place. Bollocks to the politics the weather is amazing. Sensible drug laws too. Dispensaries agogo.

 

[Lineker]

This is without a shadow of a doubt the worst city in the US. Any place where everyone that lives there says "oh, no one golfs here in the summer" because it's so beastly hot has an uphill battle for livability, to be sure

Sorry @BlueTX

I had a coworker refer to it as the hole of america, as it is hot, smelly and damp.

 

[Lineker]

Believe NYC has the largest homeless population in the US. Was surprised as well when I read this as is far less obvious in the downtown areas than in other US cities.
Someone told me this was down to aggressive policing, with people moved to less desirable areas.
Maybe one of the US posters on here can confirm this?

California has 1/3 of the entire homeless population in the USA, with only 13% of total population. San Francisco, if you had managed to visit it ten years ago or earlier, would have been absolutely the best place for a foreigner to get the best out of the USA, as it is a fairly urbane, cultured city, but still with restaurants etc. left over from gold rush/wild west times with tons of natural beauty nearby and wine country as well.

It is just in such bad shape now that I turned down a work trip there this week for about the 10th year running because it is just so filthy and down-at-the-heels.

 

[Lineker]

The two biggest pieces of the homelessness problem are:

1. Cities/states that won’t do anything to help and instead try to drive the homeless out
2. Migration to cities/states that do want to help and then the sheer numbers overwhelm the available resources

It really is something that requires a nationwide response I think… but you can guess why that isn’t forthcoming.

For me the 2 biggest pieces of homelesness problem are:
1. Drugs
2. Drugs

I know this, because I talk with them every day.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

California has 1/3 of the entire homeless population in the USA, with only 13% of total population. San Francisco, if you had managed to visit it ten years ago or earlier, would have been absolutely the best place for a foreigner to get the best out of the USA, as it is a fairly urbane, cultured city, but still with restaurants etc. left over from gold rush/wild west times with tons of natural beauty nearby and wine country as well.

It is just in such bad shape now that I turned down a work trip there this week for about the 10th year running because it is just so filthy and down-at-the-heels.

Have to say that’s not really my experience. Stayed there a few weeks in 2005 and again in 2018. Is a great city with lots of good bars and restaurants but with very obvious problems with homelessness etc.

 

[LEONARD]

For me the 2 biggest pieces of homelesness problem are:
1. Drugs
2. Drugs

I know this, because I talk with them every day.

Every ex homeless person will tell you this.

I worked in social work for over 30 years, and 95% of problems were either caused by, or exacerbated, by alcohol and drug misuse.

I have offered one or two people on the street to buy them a sandwich or soft drink, as opposed to giving them money, occasionally this was met with abuse.

All of the major homelessness charities advise you NOT to give money to folk on the streets, as this will go towards drugs-alcohol, and thus perpetuates their ongoing problems.

Best making a donation to Shelter and other organisations.

 

[Martin Alvito]

California has 1/3 of the entire homeless population in the USA, with only 13% of total population. San Francisco, if you had managed to visit it ten years ago or earlier, would have been absolutely the best place for a foreigner to get the best out of the USA, as it is a fairly urbane, cultured city, but still with restaurants etc. left over from gold rush/wild west times with tons of natural beauty nearby and wine country as well.

It is just in such bad shape now that I turned down a work trip there this week for about the 10th year running because it is just so filthy and down-at-the-heels.

SF was lovely fifteen years ago, with the main blemish the homeless problems in Union Square and the Tenderloin. Everywhere else felt extremely safe, as compared to similar cities in America, and it was as clean as downtown Chicago under the Daley machine.

Cities tend to run in cycles. An area becomes depressed to the point that someone with deep pockets buys a bunch up, and then the rest starts getting redeveloped. Property values spike until somewhere else becomes the 'it' place, and then the long slow slide begins again as properties age.

 

[LEONARD]

Here in Liverpool, the homeless problem has gotten steadily worst.

Rough sleepers and beggars very visible in the town centre.

We have loads of American and Japanese visitors ( Beatles) and it's not a good look.

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

California has 1/3 of the entire homeless population in the USA, with only 13% of total population. San Francisco, if you had managed to visit it ten years ago or earlier, would have been absolutely the best place for a foreigner to get the best out of the USA, as it is a fairly urbane, cultured city, but still with restaurants etc. left over from gold rush/wild west times with tons of natural beauty nearby and wine country as well.

It is just in such bad shape now that I turned down a work trip there this week for about the 10th year running because it is just so filthy and down-at-the-heels.

I mean, I hear people say this all the time, but I was there just last fall for a weekend and it wasn't like there were homeless people overrunning the city. Sure, you see some things here and there, but it's a city, not small town USA.

I just get tired of the narrative. Same thing here, people have been complaining about downtown Pittsburgh post-COVID b/c there's more homeless people. It's still fine. It's a problem that needs to be addressed in all population centers, but it's not like there are people hanging all over you and bullets whizzing by you everywhere you go like the media likes to suggest