In this thread I will be dissecting the neighborhoods and districts in San Fierro and break them down into simpler parts. This thread is a work in progress.
San Fierro is the cornerstone of diversity in the state of San Andreas, ethically, racially, and economically. The 2008 housing crisis and the recession that followed hit San Fierro like a freight train. Many of the cities resident's live below the poverty line in large scale housing projects and small homes. Homelessness is on the rise in the progressive metropolis due to an increase in property value in poorer neighborhoods. Large scale contractors will buy-out homes and businesses from struggling families. Contractors will purchase entire blocks of apartments at a time and demolish them, only to re-build them into upper middle-class condos. These properties are then sold at a much higher price than what they were purchased for. Rental and home prices skyrocket and leave many families evicted and on the streets with little to no notice whatsoever. This means entire blocks of families are being pushed out of their own neighborhoods. Any "undesirable" neighborhood elements are pushed out along with the families. The people who move in bring their own culture and practices. New businesses and shops open to cater to their liking. This controversial urban development tactic has been coined gentrification. Like every big city, San Fierro has it's own fair share of rough edges.
Garcia: This predominately Latino area consists of mostly apartment buildings and housing projects, but boasts some of the cities most renowned restaurants. Garcia is a vital source of San Fierro's arts and culture. Located in the center of Garcia is Stroters Park, a Leave No Trace city park. Stroters Park offers two baseball diamonds and a dog play area. Garcia, while perfectly safe during the day, can be an intimidating location at night. If you plan on parking in Garcia, observe a couple urban safety rules. Don't leave your bags or personal belongings in plain sight of thieves. Avoid parking in alleyways or other unlit areas of Garcia. Most crimes committed are crimes of opportunity. Don't be a victim.
Doherty: An industrial hub of San Fierro, Doherty is experiencing a surge of renewal. Many long standing storefronts and residential properties have been bought out by large-scale contracting companies following the 2008 recession. Ongoing construction projects make Doherty a mess to traverse during rush hour. Adjacent to the culture capital of the city, Doherty has an emerging art scene all it's own.
Hashbury: This neighborhood is known for being the birthplace of the hippie counter-culture. You'll find panhandlers, street performers and plenty of hipsters in Hashbury. Many young travelers come through this district. The large populous of homeless who dwell in the area are often issued citations by the SFPD. Hashbury, San Fierro's once-hippie, now hipster and always happening neighborhood. Much of what's left of the hippie movement remains, but many of the original homes and businesses that we're once there have since been replaced with more up-scale developments.
Chinatown: In the heart of city lies the nation's oldest Chinatown. This bustling maze of streets and alleyways is a major tourist attraction. Offering cheap housing, many of cities recent immigrants and the elderly decide to settle down in Chinatown. Chinatown's location puts it right in the center of San Fierro's priciest neighborhoods, even though thousands of it's resident's live below the poverty line.