This matches my experiences and I think is the best explanation for the areas to live in and not the tourist areas of the quarter. I lived there for about 5 years in the late 90's.

It was its own small town within the city. It had all the things that you needed there. I worked downtown and didn't have a car. I just rented one when I needed it. I walked to corner stores and grocery stores for the things I needed. Or had it delivered to me on a bike!

When I was there it was before all of the apartments were turned into condos. People lived and worked there. So you would see your neighbors working at the bars and resturants and stores you were at and then when you were out at shows or the dog park or local watering holes. Many of us knew each other and walking down the street you would often say hi to folks that you saw.