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A good friend of mine lives a few blocks up the street from 3rd on Palou and, yes, it is nicer here than you might imagine.

However, Third Street is something scary as soon as night falls. Also, think twice about living here if you like to roam around the neighborhood. There are some streets just a few blocks north and east that I wouldn't be caught on day or night.

My friend was excited to buy a house this year in a neighborhood that is improving. Still, he bought a shotgun for peace of mind when he moved in.

Southward investment is happening - 15 years forward -- the area will be incredible. It has the weather, location, transit via the new light rail, and has lovely hilly topography with many wider residential streets. If you can wait.

Since time generally stands still here,, check back in 15/20 years. In the meanwhile, sip Ritual Coffee @ Flora Grubb just off 3rd to be transported.

Gunshots? Murder? I hear gunshots every couple of months in Alamo Sq. Historic District - numerous murders in the 3 years I've been here.

In our anything-goes, live-and-let-live, look-the-other-way-administered city --that's one thing which is unlikely to change.

The only problem is that I spent a lot of time out here in the early '80's and it was an "up and coming" neighborhood back then as well.

There was a huge warehouse complex at the end of Revere back then that was divided up into ad-hoc units for artists. Friends had a 10,000 SF loft floor at .07 a square foot, as in 10,000 square feet for $700 a month!

History Trivia: The warehouses had formerly been a leather tannery that manufactured the patches on Levi jeans, until someone told them they couldn't dump all that tannery effluent into the bay.

Redseca2..I think I know the complex you're talking about. Had a friend who lived there in the 90's. It it's the one I'm thinking about, everyone was unfortunately kicked out of it. Some deluded tenant decided to protest a rent increase, on the theory that the tenants should be protected by rent control. Since it was industrial space not permitted for residential use, that only succeeded in bringing the city inspectors down on the owner and all the live/work tenants got booted.

Comment to post by Invented:

Instead of 15 years out, you better add another 50 years or more before this area ever gets any better. Especially at the level of walking around at night and patronizing any restaurants or stores nearby.

My friend is a SF police officer and he patrols the Bayview/Hunter's Point area and he hears gunshots everyday.

Remember, it's the PEOPLE that make the difference, NOT the new buildings, condos, stores, restaurants, etc. I don't care how many new projects they build, it will only get better if people change.

50,000 49ers football fans leave on gameday and I can tell you that hardly anyone patronizes any restaurants on 3rd st.

This area is the SAME as it was in the 70's, that's over 35 years and counting.

Response to Bayview comments:

I live in Bayview Heights-the area from Jamestown (street Monster Park is on) up the hill. Definitely the most underrated location in the Bayview. I have a 100 yr old craftsman bungalow in mint condition on 2 lots with views and a huge garage, driveway, and rental unit in the back (earthquake shack we renovated).

Mostly older families here, but a big mix of black, latino, and asians. For some weird reason, a lot of the weirdos don't wander this far up Third street and it is pretty quiet. No burglar bars on my window....ever. We inherited the house, so it has been in the same hands for 60 years and never had any problems with crime.

Bayview Heights is not close to a good grocery store (Foodsco is closest) and the closest restaurants are on San Bruno, across the freeway. Definitely not the most ideal neighborhood, but on Jamestown, all kinds of condo construction is going on, so maybe some amenities will follow.

San Francisco just hit the 100 mark for murders this year, a 10 year high. The majority of them are in the Mission, Bayview/Hunter's Point & Fillmore areas.

In addition, violent crime, robberies and car theft continue to plague these areas also at a 10 year high.

Do you really want to subject yourself and your family to this much amount of crime. My #1 rule of thumb that has served me well, don't be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Just because the Bayview/Hunter's Point area has new condos and a new grocery store doesn't mean that you should live there.

These are the facts and if you think I am wrong, just walk into the Bayview Police Station on Williams St. and ask for a crime report. You will be astounded at the numbers and think twice before living there.

I agree with Stephanie that it will take another 50 years to greatly improve this area. Just building condos will not help.

Response to Stan and other Bayview Haters: Yes, everyone in Bayview will agree that it is not Pacific Heights or St. Francis Woods. If you have that kind of money, go live there. I am hispanic, but it seems like most people on Socketsite have an unspoken aversion to Bayview (not Hunter's Point-I agree that place is scary) because of the ethnicities that dominates here-African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. I have lived here forever and have experienced no burglaries, vandalism, theft, or other crime. Not once. On the contrary, my car was broken into on Cathedral Hill, next to Japantown, supposedly a safe part of SF. Bayview Heights, especially, is an undiscovered corner for most and we would like to keep it that way. We have trails by the water where we walk in the morning, easy access to the T-Third and freeway, etc. Don't blame crime on people of certain ethnicities; blame it on bad people, because they come in all colors, shapes and sizes.

Response to Bayview Heights Guy,

You claim to have not experienced any burglaries, vandalism, theft or other crime, etc. It sounds like you never get out of your apt. without getting into your vehicle and driving somewhere else.

I don't see you or your family walking or patronizing any restaurants or establishments anywhere along 3rd St. KFC & McDonald's don't count.

Do you ride your bike or bring your friends and family and show them how beautiful 3rd St. is? Anywhere between Evans & Gilman? I don't think so.

No matter how many new condos and restaurants they build, 3rd St. will not change unless PEOPLE CHANGE as noted by Stephanie.

Trails by the water? Which part of 3rd St. are you talking about?

Be honest with yourself and the reason why you really live there. I know it's not by choice.

Response to Bayview Heights Guy,

You claim to have not experienced any burglaries, vandalism, theft or other crime, etc. It sounds like you never get out of your apt. without getting into your vehicle and driving somewhere else.

RESPONSE: I have a house, not apt., a very nice restored house with no burglar bars. READ THE POST BEFORE YOU REPLY.

I don't see you or your family walking or patronizing any restaurants or establishments anywhere along 3rd St. KFC & McDonald's don't count.

RESPONSE: Uh, yes, I do. Unless you are following me, you wouldn't know.

Do you ride your bike or bring your friends and family and show them how beautiful 3rd St. is? Anywhere between Evans & Gilman? I don't think so.

RESPONSE: Dude, I live in the Heights and I was referring to my part of the neighborhood.

No matter how many new condos and restaurants they build, 3rd St. will not change unless PEOPLE CHANGE as noted by Stephanie.

Trails by the water? Which part of 3rd St. are you talking about?

RESPONSE: Yes, there are trails by the water by Candlestick and there are a lot of us that walk there in the mornings.

Be honest with yourself and the reason why you really live there. I know it's not by choice.

DUDE, CHILL OUT...IT'S JUST A DISCUSSION FORUM....AND YOUR RESPONSES JUST PROVED THE POINT I STATED BEFORE...RACIAL PROFILING.

To Bayview Heights Guy,

After reading this blog, I don't see any hint of racial profiling from any of the comments. It is not fair to blame anyone of something they did not write.

However, it's getting heated for no reason, so peace to all.