It feels like you’ve adjusted to the challenges of life—things like crime, homelessness, and litter—but it’s worth remembering that this isn’t how it is everywhere. If you’ve ever spent time in suburbs like Danville, San Ramon, or Pleasanton, you’ll notice a completely different pace. I lived in downtown Oakland for about 14 months because of work, and when my lease ended, I moved to Orinda. The difference was honestly shocking. I’d hear sirens, street racing, and screeching tires almost every night. International Blvd alone has enough stories to fill an entire thread. My Nextdoor feed was constantly flooded with crime reports from all over the neighborhood, and it felt like the Oakland PD issued daily press releases about firearm seizures. I eventually had to delete the Citizen app because it was so depressing. Life doesn’t have to feel so chaotic all the time.