Oakland is largely a cesspool these days too. But not even anywhere close to the same scale as E. St. Louis.
It's been a long time since I was in Oakland....same deal, the 90's. My dad used to take some pretty elaborate summer vacations and brought us all along. I have zero interest in being near anyplace with more than about 5k people. Unfortunately there are 65k down the road and this area has becoming exceedingly populous. The stretch from Austin to San Antonio has become a complete zoo. It almost sends me into a panic attack looking at rush hour traffic, which, I rarely have to deal with fortunately.
2 years ago I spent a couple weeks in Donna Texas. Fucking loved it.
I've never been down to the valley but I know a lot of guys who came up from there. I hate Dallas because it's a flatland. I hate San Antonio because it's a huge city that is somehow very boring and pretty much a dump. Austin has a lot to not like but I got a lot of friends there and it has kept me gigging. It's undergoing rapid change. The skyline is completely different from ten, twelve years ago. Back then some opportunist might break into your car. Post "defund the police" and vaccine mandates for city cops the place has gotten seedier but still pales in comparison to most cities. It is more like your average big city now.
Born & raised in Houston.
If I had to decide between living in Houston or DFW the correct answer would be "suicide".
Done and done. The only problem I have is the property is under 10 acres is not enough to get ag exempt. But I cut a pretty sweet view back there and can see all the way to the flatlands east of 35.Texas Hill country.
Preferably on top of a hill, surrounded by acreage.
