[perfTerm]

Great post that really gets to the heart of the issue. New York City was a shithole for a very long time and it's only recently that things have been this pristine here. Talking to my parents is like entering a time machine into the mega grungy when it comes to the city. You couldn't walk around Union Square after 7PM! I can't even imagine as I walk around Bushwick at all times of day and night now and couldn't care less. I've always been a bit reckless but while I may be dumb, I'm certainly not stupid and even I think I would be hardpressed to walk around this city in the 70s.

[Spooky23]

It is amazing how things have improved. I recall my dad working in the projects in Bushwick, and not getting home until late because there was a running gun battle going on outside. Many of buildings around there were boarded up or burned.

Another time, my dad and I were bringing some stuff to an elderly family friend somewhere around Greenpoint or Williamsburg. We stopped at some store on the way back to make a phone call, was gone no more than 5-7 minutes and "poof", wheels were gone from the car.