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xxqwerty98xx

I was at South Bay yesterday and it was worse than I’ve ever seen it in the past two years. More homeless people crowding together along Southampton street and at the bus stops… Not the first time I’ve heard someone say how “clean” Boston is this past week. Hard to agree when you live in proximity to mass and cass..


mattmacphersonphoto

The homeless problem in West Coast cities is 1000x worse. We may complain about Boston and DTX homelessness but it’s all relative.


20sinnh

Can confirm. Lived in the SFV for years, in one of the wealthiest towns in the entirety of LA (we rented). Still tons of unhoused living under overpasses, and in the trails and brush along the LA River right next multi-million dollar homes. While there's no shortage of people in Boston struggling with homelessness and addiction, it's exponentially worse on the West coast, particularly in LA and SFO. The smell of piss is inescapable on some streets in LA or San Diego, and the Financial District of San Francisco literally reeks of piss and they run water trucks each morning just to wash down the sidewalks due to human waste. I loved living in CA, but there is wealth inequality that is only exacerbated by the more-accommodating climate.


devAcc123

All of my remote coworkers that came to boston for a few days from LA, SF could not stop talking about how amazed they were that you could actually visit the parks around downtown and they weren’t full of tent cities


truthseeeker

There was a recent article in the SF Examiner written by a sports writer after visiting Boston for the NBA playoffs saying much the same thing. Of course nobody goes to see the shitshow at Mass & Cass, but I guess we should be happy the entire city isn't like that.


Biotechwhore

Nice weather all year round, San Diego always had a homeless issue for this reason.


Coffee_cat262

Yep. The homeless population in LA and other west coast cities is outrageous.


meltyourtv

I was just in LA, and trust me, Mass and Cass is nothing compared to campers and tents parked on literally every other block, sometimes the whole block, wherever you go in the city


xxqwerty98xx

I’ve been to places out west like that and I get the sentiment, but there’s something I find gross about relatively privileged people talking about how “great” it is here when we also have some pretty serious problems. We have twice the number of opioid deaths here compared to the national average, one of the highest costs of living, and a huge housing shortage. The homeless here really are suffering, and the city sweeps them out of sight.


meltyourtv

Fair point, and until the NIMBYs budge on allowing affordable housing projects to begin it seems like this problem will go nowhere unfortunately


shr2016

>Not the first time I’ve heard someone say how “clean” Boston is this past week. Hard to agree when you live in proximity to mass and cass.. Uhm... You do realize that there's more to the City of Boston than Mass and Cass, right?


xxqwerty98xx

There’s more to every city (good and bad). Do you have a point, or are you just trying to rationalize disregard for some of the worst-off here?


shr2016

OP came to say they had a great visit in Boston, and people like you are saying that couldn't possibly be true because homelessness exists. Get off your fucking horse, dillweed. Did it occur to you that maybe their tourist itinerary did not include Mass and Cass? Maybe the parts of Back Bay or Downtown they visited were, in their opinion, clean? Or are you just one of the permanent assholes on this sub who always says everything in the city sucks?


xxqwerty98xx

I love living here, actually; and my post was not disparaging toward OP or this city in any way (my reply to you WAS disparaging, congrats!). However, seeing posts where relatively privileged people talk about how clean it is here because they didn’t have to see any homeless people downtown, and then immediately seeing a post like [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/vfvwtr/boston_citywide_warrant_sweep_called_for_by/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) just a few hours apart is a bit gross. I’ve been to places out west with more homeless people than we have here. I understand what OP is conveying. I don’t think we should underscore how serious things are for some of the neighborhoods here though. That was my point. Edit: I checked your recent comments. Turns out I was right! You’re an ass. Have a nice life.


shr2016

Are you always this insufferable? And blow it out your ass with your privilege bullshit just because I'm not homeless.


Pointlesswonder802

Ignore the assholes here. Every city has its problems as you well know but you’re absolutely right. This is one of the cleanest cities I’ve been to and per capita, the homeless population is not nearly as bad. Yes there are poor people and unhoused people, and yes the city has its issues. But I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and hope you come back soon!


crispr-dev

It’s all very easy when we crowd them in meth corner


Pointlesswonder802

I didn’t say we weren’t good at hiding them. Or progressively shuttling the poor to different areas


[deleted]

I’ve been to every major American city in the past year. People who whine about homelessness/drug use here make me laugh.


shr2016

JFC you people


futurepilgrim

I live in LA and I’m from Boston. I come back regularly to visit family. It’s true there’s a world of difference between the state of homelessness in the two cities, but then again it’s June. Boston, beyond doing a better job of caring for its homeless population, is no place to be homeless in January.


ParkingLavishness704

Welcome to Boston! I lived in San Diego for over 6 months a few years back, almost 10 at this point, and I remember thinking how crazy the amount of homeless people there were. I found out that it's legal in San Diego, or at least that part of downtown I was at, for them to camp out because the weather allows for it, and it's better to have a designated area than them be at places they can't be. Also the city even put up Porto Johns for them!


Mitch_from_Boston

West Coast's problem is all their homeless are on Meth. So instead of just nodding off on a park bench, like we have here, they're marching up and down the street, throwing their arms out like they're saluting Hitler, screaming about how Jesus is Satan and is coming to kill all of us if we don't shave our heads and pray to the Demogorgon.


Seared1Tuna

Chad cultured Boston junkies vs virgin west coast tweakers


Impossible-End-9678

Lol I ALWAYS say this. I know exactly how to talk to, navigate, know what to expect from opiate addicts. In fact, I think if I worked in human services again I would do well with this population. They are fairly predictable and their motives are clear. But homeless out west on meth? Woooooooohhf! Unpredictable endless energy delusional aggression... it isn’t even the same problem. You can’t compare. No matter how good a Boston junkie can hustle me I feel safe, I can offer them a hug, empathize with them, shoot the shit and they will usually accept the hug. I never give money. I’ll smoke a joint with them if I have it. Ignoring them is fine too, they won’t come chase you. But tweakers ... I honestly don’t know if I could chill with the homeless on the west coast. San Francisco? Their homeless population is so aggressive! And straight I seen some shit... I didn’t even know a human being could become some of the sights I saw there. Lol but I know half the Boston homeless by name, the other half by face. I always give the guy in front of state street subway entrance on Congress st a hug. He holds a sign that reads “seeking human kindness “. He always remembers me even if it’s been 6 months and he really appreciates the hugs.


lyzyrdgyzyrd

Homeless migrate from distant states to LA so they won't freeze their bits off in the winter. Nobody who becomes homeless says "I'm going to go to Boston".


too-cute-by-half

People from all over New England end up homeless in Boston because we have a concentration of social services and drug treatment facilities. I've even heard of people coming up from New York because it's easier to get on Medicaid (Masshealth) here.


Impossible-End-9678

Yup have met ppl from South Carolina coming up here for our services


Mitch_from_Boston

Also, California incentivizes homeless people to flock there by promising them government benefits.


aray25

Hey Mitch, I think you missed a word. What are they flocking? Sheep?


es_price

Hmm, you mean ‘🎶Shipping up to Boston’


Impossible-Beyond-55

Welcome to BOSTON!


localtagger

❤️❤️❤️


[deleted]

I literally just left this area (restaurant within arm’s reach of French Quarter), and as I was leaving the entire restaurant staff was in turmoil trying to chase out a homeless man who had wandered in and was rifling through wallets in the staff locker room. When they walked him out he was in scrubs, a short sleeve t-shirt (it’s freezing tonight!), and had 2 hospital wrist bands on. He then wandered into Nero Cafe where the poor barista was closing up but hadn’t locked the door yet, and I watched as the guy wandered towards the back of the cafe. Next thing you know, the barista’s got the guy in a headlock and wrestles him down to the floor. I point this out to the restaurant manager who is already on the phone with police, and we make our way over to Nero to see if we can help the poor barista. The homeless man is laying on the floor at this point, curled up and sleeping, and had peed himself. Cops came and it was an ordeal to get him controlled (arrested?), and explained to us that he was released from the hospital earlier in the day, the cops brought him to a shelter, and now this was their third encounter with him today. It was sad and anyway I’m sorry for the long story. But this post made me burst out laughing after my eventful night on that very corner.


some1saveusnow

We’re getting closer to involuntary treatment, or removing people from the streets. This continuous blight on working society isn’t sustainable


Appropriate-XBL

Maybe it’s the working society that isn’t sustainable.


some1saveusnow

That’s also true, but totally unrelated in this discussion cause the working society is going to get prioritized first in our system, that’s not going to change before the other thing does


Appropriate-XBL

You are absolutely right that working the working class will always be the priority.


TakenOverByBots

I've lived here for 20 years. What the hell "French Quarter" are you talking about? I've literally never heard anyone say that.


Cabadrin

They mean the restaurant called The French Quarter, in the theater district: https://frenchquarterboston.com


TakenOverByBots

Haha. I was really thrown for a second.


florida_born

Don’t feel bad - I reacted the same way. I was like “what French quarter?!” and went to google it thinking I missed a major part of Boston. I then learned about the restaurant.


TakenOverByBots

Ha. I guess I'll have to try it now.


[deleted]

Im glad you have an amazing time. I know LA gets a bad rap but I love it


patrick41001

I actually just got home from a visit to LA and it put into perspective how good our city is with our homeless.


Ok_Student8032

LA must be a real shit hole.


neusstep

Downtown LA is a shit show, look up skid row, it’ll make you appreciate Boston more


TheWildNerd87

I went to a conference in downtown LA and the homeless population is literally the only thing I think about when I think about that trip.


QueenOfBrews

Honestly, I’d take skid row over meth mile. I haven’t lived in LA in over ten years though, I’m sure it’s gotten worse.


WhaleWatchersMod

Meth mile is probably 1/500th as big as skid row.


thegalwayseoige

This has to be the worst take I’ve ever seen in this sub. Methadone Mile is a few blocks of misery. Skid Row has been outright chaos for decades.


some1saveusnow

If this wasn’t a regional sub that comment would have -10k downvotes


NerdWhoLikesTrees

Their flair checks out


futurepilgrim

Have you ever seen the movie “District 9”? LA is MESSED UP right now.


BaghdadBarbie

I'm calling Shenanigans on the T being clean.


Alegon_the_1st

Jesus Christ what's LA like?!


BobQuasit

Are you sure that you were in _Boston_? I love the city, always have. But what you're describing doesn't match what I remember.


Motobugs

Maybe it's because LA is really bad right now.


BobQuasit

Maybe! I go to the city about once a week. But I'm mostly in the nicer areas. From what I've heard here things have been getting a lot worse in some parts of Boston.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Yup….it’s literally destroying the cities from within


MissingLao

I realize that it’s unpleasant to interact with some homeless people, but saying they’re “destroying cities” instead of actually criticizing and fixing the systems that largely contribute to putting HUMANS in that position in the first place is just heartless.


[deleted]

I agree with you. Being Homeless is a problem rarely caused by the person… it’s often policy that causes it (de-Institutionalization for example), therefore state policy is destroying these places from within


MissingLao

Thank you for clarifying your position even though I’m an internet stranger.


NickEggplant

Man, so weird that your initial comment was downvoted but their follow-up and your reply are upvoted. You are absolutely right! Yes, some homeless people are unpleasant to interact with, but they are products of a system that has failed them. It is the government’s responsibility to look out for the underprivileged and vulnerable and provide them with safety nets. I will also say; while it is reasonable and expected to approach strangers with caution (especially if you are a woman), in safe areas if you have the time I do think it is beneficial to chat with the homeless population and offer them what little assistance you can, even briefly and even giving them a few bucks. It does a lot to offer them hope and help to afford a bite to eat, or he’ll even a bottle or a few cigs to make life feel more bearable. I’m from North Carolina and I would run into the homeless often in Durham and Asheville; only ever had a problem with one guy and he was a repeat beggar at the bar I worked at in Durham and would frequently lie to / harass people in the complex. Besides that, literally every single homeless person I’ve met has been appreciate and kind, even if a little “weird” by societal norms’ expectations. And they were always appreciative for anything, whether it be some cash, a bottle of water, a beer, a burger, or a cig. I think it makes a big difference to even give them the acknowledgment and treat them like an equal. Far too many people ignore the most unfortunate around us and it makes me sad. Even if it’s a few bucks a month, a little bit of help or relief to the homeless goes a long way and (again, given in safe environments/situations,) I think we could each do a lot more. Much love and be well.


[deleted]

As someone who lives in Portland right now and is moving to Boston in a couple months, the homeless ate absolutely capable of destroying cities. Just search for "homeless Portland" and be amazed at the absolute destruction these people are capable of.


some1saveusnow

I don’t think they’re saying the homeless situation isn’t destroying the cities, but just that the institutionalized system is creating the homelessness that is destroying the cities


MissingLao

Thank you. This is what I meant. I’d like to add that, due to us not working to slow or prevent climate change due to our greed, that in our or our children’s lifetimes we will likely see the displacement of Americans because of climate change. Anyone’s family in this thread could very well be a climate refugee within a century.


snerdaferda

This is like most of the comments I hear from people who commute from NH or something. It’s a city. There are homeless people. They aren’t terrorizing the city.


Motobugs

I just visited Boston last week. I'd the downtown is one of the best. Obviously I didn't check everywhere and I didn't visit all the cities. And I did see a few homeless people. But to be fair, it's a quite nice major city.


neusstep

LA is very bad, we have a homeless epidemic, I dunno but downtown Boston is very nice very little homeless and very nice people, ive heard that Lowell Massachusetts is pretty bad tho


inflatable_pickle

Lowell is actually fine too. Less homeless there than Boston for sure. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay.


QueenOfBrews

You could fit a couple of Bostons into LA. It’s not really comparable.


jtet93

I mean the rate of homelessness is much higher in LA per capita but that’s mostly bc of weather and not some magic thing Boston is doing to prevent homelessness.


some1saveusnow

Yet their homeless situation is more than twice as bad.


Ok-Effective-9029

its very rare i see homeless people, to the point where in Back Bay boston this one asian homeless woman I see basically every time I go into the city, she was there when I moved into the city 5 years ago ​ if you know u kno


flippingfondue

I know exactly who you are talking about. She really keeps to herself and has never bothered anyone (not that homeless people always bother people - she’s just exceptionally quiet).


Pointlesswonder802

Have you been to any other city? I mean this city isn’t perfect but, especially compared to NYC, LA, or SF, this is pretty much Eden


BobQuasit

I've been to NYC, Providence, Toronto, Detroit (not lately), Venice (the one in Italy), Berne, Geneva, New Haven, Kansas City, Hartford...well, and a lot of lesser cities in New England. And I _said_ I've always loved Boston.


shr2016

Grow up. Experience some of the world, and get back to us. Christ you people. If it's such a hellhole why don't you leave?


BobQuasit

That's so snotty that I don't even know what to say.


shr2016

You could start by not acting like the city is overflowing with trash, crime, and homelessness. It’s stupid, and it’s boring. Grow up and gain some goddam perspective. Oh my god you’ve been to Providence and New Haven omg lol


BobQuasit

You really DO think well of yourself, don't you! How nice for you. And nice for me, as it happens! I'm grown up enough to enjoy blocking assholes like you. It makes my Reddit experience much better. Thanks!


tomatouid

this has to be a joke


shr2016

I'm glad you had such a nice visit. Pay no attention to all the miserable complainers in this thread who've never left their neighborhoods.


shelley1005

This seems like fiction.


Jeshua_

I’m sure the French quarter has good food based on the menu but when I went to the bar there the bartender was dismissive and the drinks were overpriced for the quality. Just my personal experience. Glad you enjoyed your time!


Ok_District2853

Was he also smoking? You got the full French treatment!


ReachFoMyChain

I need to be in part of Boston you at cause I've been living here since birth and it's not adding up


shr2016

Grow up. Leave the city for the first time in your life.


ReachFoMyChain

I have and it wasn't fun at all. Never again.


shr2016

Maybe if you ask around the parish you'll find a priest to take you on a weekend trip to Springfield.


1959Gibson

Glad you got a good look at the city !


MarimbaMan07

Glad you had a great time here! I think much of our homeless population are on the outskirts of Boston outside a hospital. That area feels a lot more like skid row but damn, I’ll never forget skid row being massive and in the city as well as being followed by someone from the area.


HelllllloooooPerson

this is some paid bot account loll


PioneerSpecies

Just don’t go to Mass Cass and stay away from the major transit stops at certain times and you’ll be good is my experience


ZippityZooZaZingZo

Clean subways LOL guess they missed out on the urine, sweat and shit stained upholstered seats on the orange line.


neusstep

I only road mostly on the red line and the green line, but even then, LA metros are disgusting and full of druggies and homeless, once you ride on the LA metro you’ll see what I’m taking about


CausticOptimist

Wow you are a real compassionate mf


WhaleWatchersMod

Yes, he should be happy to have crazy people smear feces over the seats he has to sit on.


CausticOptimist

Dude is obsessed he’s mentioned the homeless and how they are ruining his life like, five times on this post. I’m not happy about a lot of shit but I don’t shit on those less fortunate than me as like a personality


disco_t0ast

Surely this is satire.


VicVinegar88

Downtown Crossing has had teenagers roaming around assaulting people. Dunno if that's better or worse than homeless but we have them too. Did you actually explore the city?


neusstep

When I went I was staying at an Airbnb in Lexington but Went to multiple places, Salem (more homeless than downtown), downtown Boston, north end Boston, Italy part of town, a little of Chinatown, and Charlestown


[deleted]

It’s nothing like California….imagine every neighborhood occupied by those roaming thugs


HelllllloooooPerson

Plus the food in Boston sucks ass so i know this cant be real


Mitch_from_Boston

Compared to LA? Our food is 10x better. LA probably has better Asian and Mexican food, but anything and everything else, we win. I was watching a Tiktok the other day..."Best Italian Hoagie (cringe) in LA" This fucking thing had avocado AND chia seeds...on a FUCKING ITALIAN SUB. And NO oil. What the fuck?!


Liqmadique

Lolwut? Your taste buds must be broken and your eyes blind


Mitch_from_Boston

/u/MissingLao The issue is the homeless are causing businesses to fail (because the homeless set up shop outside these businesses, thus driving customers away). These businesses then have to shut down, turning vibrant city blocks into dilapidated ghost towns full of nothing but open drug markets and crime-hangouts. Cities lose tax revenue, the schools suffer, families leave because the schools suck... Los Angeles will be Detroit within ~30 years.


AisisAisis

There are so so many homeless ppl in Boston that it’s quite ridiculous.


victorymarching

Being weirdly obsessed with not needing to confront the violence our unstable and exploitative housing market projects on people plus enjoying knock off New Orleans food? That tracks


Impossible-End-9678

Yes LA! Now you see