I have lived in East San Diego all my life.
Put it like this, our streets are numbered (one sign that you might be in a hood). I lived on 37th, 39th, and now live on 46th.
Also, my neighborhood has been the first home to immigrants coming from war torn or poor countries. The Vietnamese and Laotians in the late 70's/early 80's, and all kinds of Africans in the late 80's/early 90's - not to mention the constant influx from people south of the border.
My neighborhood is a true jungle, where any species of animal could get your ass at any second - depending where you're at. It's not like the drama is waiting right ouside my door, but I always got my head on a swivel.