Shotwell St, Mission District

Interesting to stumble on this site and see my actual block featured. I've lived here for 28 years, so I think I can offer an opinion that is reliable, and frankly, opposed to the other reviews here. Shotwell is a microcosm of the Mission as a whole. There are bad blocks and amazing blocks. Good aspects and bad aspects. In general, below 17th is avoid avoid. 17th to 19th is hit and miss. But the block of 21st to 22nd Streets is the absolutely best block in the Mission, and on a par with the best in the whole City. It has trees, quietness, all the neighbors have owned their homes forever, and a really nice thing is that all the homes are detached, a rarity in this city. That means you have four walls and space between you and the neighbors. That you enjoy quiet, light, air, and lovely back yards. 22nd to 23rd is okay, it gets a little dingy again near 24th Street, but again on 25th to 26th Street, some of the best housing stock in the City.

Everybody knows one another on my block, and has for years. It's as diverse as you get in the City, with working class living next to high earners, different ethnicities, orientations, politics (just catch the Bush or other pro Republicnas signs in the window of that architecturally wonderful house on Shotwell near 26th cause it boggles the mind).

The transformation of my neighborhood over the past ten years has been stunning, but I have to say, my block has stayed largely the same. If you want the Mission, and want to be central, and want the best of the NEMA area and Valencia, there is no better area than Shotwell St between 20th and 23rd. In another ten years, I'm afraid this corridor will be like a large scale Hayes Valley, overrun with art galleries and high priced designer places and bars and restaurants. It's already two thirds of the way there. It will continue at full force, because all your Google neighbors and Facebook neighbors and Apple and start up neighbors live here and stay. They don't move. They are going to keep growing up and improving the area. Once you "go Mission" you honestly cannot function in any other part of this strange City. But the Mish is right at home. Frankly right now, it's just about perfect.

If you love the Mission, this is the street to live on. If you do not like the Mission, or had a bad experience here once, and don't really know what it's like to live here, then why are you posting about my block? Go away.

I haven't spent a great deal of time here, but based on my drives through and the corresponding reviews, this is not a place that comes highly recommended for anyone. Parts of the Mission (Dolores Park, Guerrero Street, etc.) are great for nightlife, while other parts just appear run-down and sketchy. I have been on a mission (no pun intended) to find the spots that fit the "bad" stereotype of this neighborhood, and the Shotwell intersection, particularly at Cesar Chavez, seems to fit the bill.

The houses are downright gross, and the cars parked outside seem more fitting for areas in the neighboring city across the bay. Further north, there are some bars and slightly nicer homes, but overall, this is not the place you want to live. I hate to write a negative review of anywhere in this great city, but someone places just don't fit the bill of idyllic city living.

I normally wouldn't just make a bad review of a place based on one negative experience, but for Shotwell Street, I'll make an exception! I was biking on that street and it was terrifying. People don't care that you're on a bike and even though I was taking care to stay well over someone glanced me with their side mirror and sent me flying. THEN, I was robbed as I was laying unconscious on the side of the rode. That's right, my cell phone, purse and iPod, GONE. Maybe it's a nice street, but I'll never go back to find out.