# Debunk fears of your city or country here! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 20, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213 "2014-06-20T15:47:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/61 "2014-06-23T00:19:21Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > You will not be shot if you visit Chicago, no, even if you visit the South side. Calm your tits. Hear, hear! You hear a lot of static about Chicago being the murder capital of the US. Well, in raw numbers, it is. But it’s a pretty large city. In per-capita terms, Chicago is \*thirteenth \*in the USA for murders. And the vast majority of those are gang-on-gang killings in a small part of the south side. Most of the city is pretty darn safe. But still, stay away. We have too many tourists as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/62 "2014-06-23T00:20:52Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Hear, hear! > > You hear a lot of static about Chicago being the murder capital of the US. Well, in raw numbers, it is. But it’s a pretty large city. In per-capita terms, Chicago is \*thirteenth \*in the USA for murders. And the vast majority of those are gang-on-gang killings in a small part of the south side. Most of the city is pretty darn safe. > > But still, stay away. We have too many tourists as it is. I thought murder capitol of the US was DC? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/63 "2014-06-23T00:24:03Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I thought murder capitol of the US was DC? Feh. Pikers. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/64 "2014-06-23T02:24:55Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I thought murder capitol of the US was DC? That hasn’t been true for years. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/65 "2014-06-23T02:31:50Z")
The water in Cleveland isn’t going to catch fire anymore. The Cuyahoga is drinking and recreation water now. And you have our unfortunate past to thank for your OWN clean water. You’re welcome! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/66 "2014-06-23T11:58:21Z")
We also have the Cuyahoga to thank for Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale (or at least the name). ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/67 "2014-06-23T12:22:34Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > The water in Cleveland isn’t going to catch fire anymore. The Cuyahoga is drinking and recreation water now. And you have our unfortunate past to thank for your OWN clean water. You’re welcome! Yeah but do you still see pink flamingos in Parma? ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/68 "2014-06-23T13:07:35Z")
When I tell someone from the USA that we live in Angola, the response is usually a blank stare ( unless they are from Louisiana ). When I elaborate with a bit of geography the next response is “That must be dangerous.” I tell them that malaria and food poisoning are the two biggest threats to expats and local people. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/69 "2014-06-23T13:41:55Z")
And that’s reassuring, how? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/70 "2014-06-23T14:16:14Z")
Stockholm: Not everyone is blonde. A large portion of those that are blonde are bottle blondes. Not everyone is beautiful. People don’t shag all the time. Being open about sex isn’t the same as having lots of sex. We don’t have 24 hour sun here in summer. Similarly we don’t have 24 hour darkness in winter. You have to go quite a bit further north for that. ETA: Sorry, just realised none of those are actual fears, just misunderstood things. I got it all wrong. IGNORE THIS POST. ABORT. ABORT. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/71 "2014-06-23T14:21:15Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/72 "2014-06-23T14:31:05Z")
**Texas**. Love it here. Love the heat. Love the people. Love the wide open spaces. Love the economy. Love the roads. Love the lack of snow. Love the Hispanic culture. Love the ease of life here. Love the cost of living (I bought a 1,500sf home with a pool, hardwood floors, fireplace, etc for less than $130k.) Love the fact that we escaped the worst of the Great Recession (70% of the jobs created in 2009 were created in Tejas.) Hell, I even love the fact that my religion (Catholic) is actually the main religion out here (wasn’t that way in GA or TN.) Can’t stand the conservatives, but I live in the blue-est part of the state (the Austin-San Antonio corridor), so the crazy is muted. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/73 "2014-06-23T14:38:13Z")
" (70% of the jobs created in 2009 were created in Tejas.)" That’s “70% of the jobs created _in the US_ in 2009…” ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/74 "2014-06-23T14:46:24Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > And that’s reassuring, how? Both are easily avoided. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/75 "2014-06-23T15:03:05Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Seattle: > > 1. Odds are they will become the next detroit if Microsoft, Nike, and/or Starbucks closes. > 2. Suicide is the most popular pastime there other than drinking Starbucks coffee. > 3. There’s so many Starbucks that you can stand at one and see two others nearby. 1. That’s a bit “if.” In reality, Nike is not that big a think in Seattle, maybe Oregon. Microsoft and Starbucks are important, but we could get by without them if necessary. 2. Ha. 3. That’s actually true. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/76 "2014-06-23T16:48:20Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Stockholm: > > Not everyone is blonde. > A large portion of those that are blonde are bottle blondes. > Not everyone is beautiful. > People don’t shag all the time. Being open about sex isn’t the same as having lots of sex. > We don’t have 24 hour sun here in summer. Similarly we don’t have 24 hour darkness in winter. You have to go quite a bit further north for that. > > ETA: > Sorry, just realised none of those are actual fears, just misunderstood things. I got it all wrong. IGNORE THIS POST. ABORT. ABORT. The Stockholm Tourist Board does not wish to thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/77 "2014-06-23T17:11:21Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I live in San Antonio, TX, home of the Alamo. > > Because of the movies, many think the area looks like [this](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2jYOFn2z5o/Tzwgcw5akgI/AAAAAAAAAlU/3g4_XOfulws/s1600/alamo2.jpg). Dry, dusty, little water, tumbleweeds everywhere. > > [Actually, it looks like this](http://therivardreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/cityscape-slideshowKevinSaunders.jpg). Lots of trees, bushes, and humidity (but nothing like Georgia humidity.) Yeah, there’s a song that begins: > [@](#): > > In the southern part of Texas, in the town of San Antone, > There’s a fortress all in ruin that the weeds have overgrown. Some of the buildings of the old mission were knocked over, but most had been repurposed before the Daughters of the Republic of Texas turned it into a “shrine.” The city grew up around it & Joseh Menger opened [his hote](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menger_Hotel)l, almost next door, about 23 years after the Battle. There are lots of guns in the state but most people I knew who died of gunshot were suicides. A few others got into bad situations–but random shootings are rare. Houston _does_ has serious humidity–which means it’s lusher than the Hill Country. Most of our cities are Democratic oases, with museumst & theaters & diverse cuisines. (More than Barbecue & Tex Mex.) ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/78 "2014-06-23T17:14:44Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > This isn’t as much a fear as a misconception: Richmond is not northern Virginia. Northern Virginia is a small percentage of the state. It’s what everyone seems to remember when they’re driving down 1-95. But you are (sadly) mistaken if you think the entire state is like Alexandria and Fairfax County. You’re right, but the West end of Richmond is starting to remind me of NoVa. And the I-95 traffic jams continue to creep south, they are past Fredericksburg now. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/79 "2014-06-23T17:16:13Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > Rural areas are perfectly safe, it’s not like Deliverance, for Christ’s sake. Indeed. I know people who don’t even have working locks on their front door. Fewer people = fewer problems, to a certain extent. ---
**Author:** ![Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213/80 "2014-06-23T18:06:04Z")
> [@CatherineZeta](#): > > New York City: > > -Is not always horrendously expensive > -Living affordably does not mean cramming into a super tiny apartment with 10 roommates > -The outerboroughs are safe for exploring > -You will probably not get mugged or pick pocketed > -Most people actually are polite > -Harlem is a fun and vibrant neighborhood with lots of parks and shopping- it is safe to go to 125th st and above > > - There are not always tons of people around, you can find privacy > - Some of us actually do cook at home, it’s not all fast food and ordering out > - The subway system is not that confusing. There are maps and signs everywhere I quickly tire of “I want a cool X, but I don’t want to leave Manhattan.” Well, if you’re in the Union Square area, Junior’s and the original Mile End\* are pretty close, whether by crow, car, or subway, but since you don’t want to leave Manhattan, I suggest Sylvia’s (which, yes, fun and vibrant neighborhood – I lived around the corner a relationship ago – but more than 100 blocks away). I thin people don’t so much fear the subway as fail to realize that it’s how people actually get around. I think New Yorkers, and people in the urban Northeast generally, use public transportation further up the socioeconomic ladder than people do in (many, though not all) other parts of America. \*I had most of these conversations before Mile End opened, but the point still stands. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-fears-of-your-city-or-country-here/691213.md?page=5)