Mike Solana

When I am constantly stepping over glass... When I get texts from friends about being harassed by people in the park, or robbers trying to climb into their children's bedrooms... When I see people dancing erratically in front of my building... How can I not feel afraid?

I see myself as a pretty strong person. I'm a tall woman -- rarely do people threaten me. I've lived in a bunch of cities, and traveled a fair amount. Never - in any part of the world - have I looked around and seen what I see in SF. It's unhinged.

SF has started to feel quite dystopian to me. Sure you can sequester yourself away on the west side of town - live on a hill, order in doordash, uber to-and-fro from your favorite restaurants. But how is that a way to live? That isn't what cities are about.

To me, cities are about engaging in a social contract with others. They are about packing into a smaller space and getting to know your neighbors. About smiling and waving to passer-bys. About looking out the window and seeing people walking at night.

I consider myself a "city girl". My short experiment in the suburbs during college was a total bust. (I transferred) I grew up in SF. I love the hustle and bustle of a thriving town. Cities feel like magic to me. But the magic in SF... It's in trouble.

This past weekend at the I party went to - I met about 10 people moving from SF to NYC. The main reason? They said SF is "depressing." Depressing. That is how people are referring to my hometown. My heart is aching.

My heart is aching knowing what San Francisco could be, but what it isn't. For watching this magical city I call home become almost unrecognizable to me. For hearing people refer to my hometown as "broken" a "sh*thole" and "dystopian." Please don't call it those things...

I'm really not sure what to do. To be honest, I find it depressing as well. This is now my second long trip to NYC and I just feel happier here. More at ease. Less angry.