Asian Life in San Francisco | Asian American Poll

ASIAN LIFE IN SAN FRANCISCO
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:09:03 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Which San Francisco Bay area offers the best environment for Asian Americans?
Downtown SF | 47%
East Bay | 31%
Marin County | 8%
South San Francisco | 14%

What's the best thing about living in the San Francisco Bay area?
Breathtaking Scenic Beauty | 40%
Clean Air | 19%
Lots of Fine Chinese Restaurants | 15%
Asians Everywhere | 18%
Great Universities, Skiing and Wine | 8%

What's the worst thing about living in the San Francisco Bay area?
No Summer Weather | 12%
Perpetual Gridlock | 40%
Too Crowded with Asians | 1%
Shortage of Decent Housing | 47%

This poll is closed to new input.
Comments posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

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WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

TSJ, MTSO, and Penelope,

Thanks for the information. I'm from a predominately caucasion area anyway so that factor won't bother me. Right now, it usually seems that I'm the only Asian person around. If I move out to Pleasanton it will be with a ballplayer so it sounds like we might fit in just fine. Hence the reason for being there for only 5-6 months. And I definitely won't be commuting to Silicon Valley, it'll be the off season I sure won't be working! Too much anyway :)
Mile High Asian Guy Wednesday, June 19, 2002 at 11:16:52 (PDT)

"The commute is way too long for normal people."

That's true. On paper, the mileage is very short, but the traffic on the Sunol Grade will kill you!

"However, if you would like to see an Asian face, they are few and far between."

The newer parts of Castro Valley (ten minutes away), have a ton of Chinese residents. San Ramon (5 minutes) has plenty of Chinese and Filipinos. Tracy (20 minutes) has a growing Viet population. And of course, Of course, Fremont is only 15 mins away, Hayward, 20, Oakland, 25.

Pleasanton is far enough away to escape it all, but not too far.
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Wednesday, June 19, 2002 at 11:12:52 (PDT)

LSD,

"Another good example of this is the Chinatown businessmen who look larger than real life"

Yeah like those rap singers and professional athletes. Come on they're just employees that make chump change. Where are they getting off trying to look cool. When I hear these people brag about their salary or their endorsement deals. I'm like it barely covers the office supply usage in one of my offices. Hell my day-to-day manager in Shanghai makes more on his annual bonuses.

I think poor blacks and whites, trying to look like they have money aren't cool either. It just crack me up when I see celebrities with 1 bentley in the garage with no driver. What your suppose to drive yourself, have they no shame. Or when they do have a driver, they don't send them to Bentley Driving School for certification. Oh that rich, you might as well get a day-worker to drive you around.

Or celebrities with 1 personal assistant. 1 employee to handle all your personal and professional affairs. And sometimes they have the additional responsibility of being the grounds keeper. Oh please, that's pathetic. Not to mention the lack of checks and balances.

Until you have a 500 foot yacht and a private jet with 24 hour stand-by personnel, you're just poor and just another employee in my book.
AC Dropout Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 14:27:24 (PDT)

LSD,

I don't know what you are talking about. This particular asian I was referring is your typical corporate American asian making is $50K to $80K a year. He had an Audi before he bought his BMW.

I guess you don't know how much those Chinatown businessmen make. Most resturants and storefronts in Chinatown can easily pull in $1M in cash. How much they report is another matter.
AC Dropout Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 13:32:18 (PDT)

"I have a friend who lives in Chinatown and qualified for those hardship loans after 9/11. He is now driving a nice new BMW 3 series. I'm not saying everyone is using the hardship loans to buy new cars, but it just to give you an indication of what can happen."

This is what I call instant gratification of the lower socieconomic class. This is a problem that afflicts many low income Asians who live in Chinatown and elsewhere. Those who can't fully achieve wealth or the American dream want to obtain something nice, quick and easy.

Another good example of this is the Chinatown businessmen who look larger than real life. They put up a classy image of themselves by wearing nice suits, expensive watches and driving pricey cars.

Definately not cool by my standards!

LSD Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 09:06:10 (PDT)

"I was thinking about moving out to California. I think its south of San Jose, Pleasanton or something like that."

Pleasanton is a nice place to live. I actually spend a lot of time in that area due to some friends living there. However, if you plan on working in Silicon Valley (and no, Pleasanton is not part of Silicon Valley), then forget it. The commute is way too long for normal people.

The people there are also very friendly (mostly Caucasian). However, if you would like to see an Asian face, they are few and far between. My friends claim that there is only one Pho place in the entire Tri-valley area (it's in Pleasanton). Plus they have to drive to Milpitas when they want to buy Asian groceries.

MTSO Monday, June 17, 2002 at 20:20:23 (PDT)

LSD,

I'm not saying businesses was uneffected by 9/11, due to lack of tourist. The whole city is suffering from lack of tourism. However, in the Mahattan Chinatown, I believe the majority of the business cater to the Chinese population. Not many white people are going shopping in HK Supermarket.

Economics is not an isolated event. So if the resident of NYC are effected by the tourist trade to the city. There just less money to spend period. This of course effects everyone. Hence, the political wheels turn in the city and the Chinese people petition government for more aid.

It kind of difficult to gauge how hurt Chinatown business are. Most operation on a cash business model. It is almost impossible to get an accurate measure of how much tourist business is lost in the Chinatown area. But this is no reason why the area shouldn't ask for government aid.

Not to say everyone is crooked in Chinatown. I have a friend who lives in Chinatown and qualified for those hardship loans after 9/11. He is now driving a nice new BMW 3 series. I'm not saying everyone is using the hardship loans to buy new cars, but it just to give you an indictation of what can happen.

It like if you live in a flood area in the USA. The government doesn't care if your basement was flooded or your whole house washed away. You just qualify for the same amount of aid.
AC Dropout Monday, June 17, 2002 at 06:07:41 (PDT)

"There is a very nice mall in Pleasanton...and a country club. Crow Canyon, I believe--so if you like tennis or golf, you'll like it. My brother used go there every day.

It's pretty Asian-friendly. White-dominated, but they're pretty liberal. I think you'll like it."

Hmm... I don't know anything about no country clubs, caviar establishments, cigar shops and the likes, but did I mention that Pleasanton has some of the hottest chicks you will ever see?! Yeah, penelope is right. Those white girls there sure are friendly. They are always down for having a little more yellow in them.
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Sunday, June 16, 2002 at 21:43:14 (PDT)

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