The Downtown Panhandlers are Too Much

I don't even want to go downtown anymore. I went less than a block from parking to my destination and got bothered 7 times for money.

Since I moved here 9 months ago it was the area I went for happy hour or hanging out on the weekend. I really like the area but the people asking for money are a different breed.

-they don't take no for an answer and just move on

-they don't just ask for money, they trauma dump on you first

-I have been followed down the street while trying to avoid them

-the one time I gave them money, I was asked if that was it and to go to the atm with them

-can't even hang out at bar/restaurant patios without getting walked up on

Is there any place in Durham that is not like this? There are just times where I want to go out without being guilt tripped?

Edit:

RE: comments

This post was never meant to disparage Durham or the state of downtown. Just wanted to share my experience

I appreciate sharing your stories. I need to be more careful from what I hear.

People telling me to go back home can fuck off. I love it here. I worked hard from being homeless myself for the opportunity to make it here and away from where I came from.

For the people that have advised me to ignore them. I need to hear that. I'm new to people pandering to me. Says a lot to where I came from.