[oneplane]

Isn't that most of the densely populated city in the US in general?

Fear, weapons and violence as soon as it gets dense. Every large/chain business comes with lots of armed protection.

I haven't travelled to all the cities in the entire US, but whenever you enter/exit such areas is seems very distinct.

[AlexCoventry]

I've personally witnessed more violent crime in approximately two month's total presence in SF over the last seven years than I have in a total of 14 years living in Boston. Maybe I'm an outlier, though.

[adjkant]

Not my experience at all with most cities in the US, as someone who has lived in many and visited far more. I wouldn't categorize NYC, Boston, Chicago, LA, Philly, or DC that way when you're not in literal capitol buildings. I live in one of the densest US cities, take transit all over the place and have felt unsafe maybe one time in the past 3 years. No weapon was involved.