San Francisco has been experiencing a decline in recent years, with rampant homelessness, a drug crisis, surging crime, and several business closures. The citys population has dropped, and a quarter of a million people have reportedly fled the Bay Area since the beginning of 2020. The decline has been attributed to a variety of factors, including:

• Housing: San Francisco has failed to build enough housing to keep up with demand, despite skyrocketing prices. This has led to a shortage of affordable housing and a rise in homelessness.

• Crime: The city has seen a surge in crime, including property crime and violent crime. Perception of crime has also contributed to the decline, with many people feeling unsafe due to the large numbers of homeless people struggling on the streets.

• Drug crisis: San Francisco has struggled with a drug crisis, with public drug use being a major issue. This has contributed to the rise in homelessness and crime.

• Pandemic: The pandemic has had a significant impact on San Francisco, with many tech workers moving out of the city and many businesses closing. Downtown pessimism has also increased due to the pandemic.

Despite these challenges, experts are not ready to proclaim the city dead. San Francisco has a history of being an expensive place to live and do business, and some experts believe that the decline is a correction. However, the city will need to address the slow rot in its institutions to turn things around.