Some Swindonians were not surprised that a new poll ranked it as the eighth worst place to live in the UK – and said its streets were riddled with drunks and drug addicts.
Residents say “intimidation is normal” in Swindon, and one said they were “ashamed” to live there.
And while the town centre remains a bustling destination, signs of the problems that led to such a lowly spot are visible from the surface.
Its architecture was described as "horrible" and the buildings as an "eyesore."
A heavy police presence is commonplace as drunkards mill around the central bus stop drinking super-strength lager and intimidating passers-by, locals claimed.
Citizens said they take "no pride" in where they are from as they battle mounds of litter that pile up outside dilapidated shop fronts in a 'tired' looking town centre.
But other residents leaped to its defence and described the poll as "nonsense" - saying they were proud to live in the Wiltshire town.
One resident, Darran Brown, 59, who has lived there for 40 years, said: "I’m not the slightest bit proud to live in Swindon" and described the town centre as "absolutely disgusting".
The married father of two added: "Intimidation is normal in this town. At the bus stop every evening, old people are frightened to look up.
"Drunkards and druggies are the biggest problem. Every day, no matter where you go, they’re there. They are stealing from the shops and urinating in the shop windows in front of children, it’s disgusting. It happens all the time."
Darran, who works as an insurance broker, added: "I’m constantly looking out for people causing trouble.
"Just the other day, these youngsters went up to a poor older man shouting and screaming at him. I got in between them, but the older guy was petrified. It was violent and horrible."
The physical appearance of the town centre also didn't escape criticism.
Darran added: "The architecture's horrible in my opinion.
"The council are living in cloud cuckoo land. This town has plummeted in the last ten years."
The frustrations about Swindon’s decline were shared by Mike Davis, 72, who said: “The town centre is absolute rubbish as far as I’m concerned. There’s so many run down shops and no big stores. It could be vastly improved.”
The father of two described parts of the city centre as “an eyesore” and recommends visitors “go elsewhere”.
“I don’t go into town very often because I find there’s nothing to go in for - it’s not worth going in any more," he added.
Mike, a retired barber who has lived in Swindon his entire life, said: “Years ago, you very rarely saw homeless people or alcoholics around the town. Whereas now you see it all the time. It makes me feel really sad.”
Other residents said they avoid visiting the town centre for their own safety.
Meanwhile, Mary Harding, 73, from Wroughton, said: “If I was coming into town, I’d have to get a taxi to the door I was going to.”
The married grandmother-of-two described the level of crime as “worrying”, adding: “I have two grandchildren aged 12 and 14. I wouldn't want them hanging around in the town centre at all - day or night.”
Mary, a retired care home support worker who has lived in Swindon for 65 years, said the town centre could do with a ”facelift”.
“The shops are all closing down. It looks scruffy. The whole place needs a good facelift,” she said.
“When people talk about Swindon, it’s always a joke. It’s a shame because Swindon folk are nice folk.
“I would love it to go back to what it was like when I was a teenager. There was a department store, there was live music. People seemed more friendly.
However, not all agreed with the survey’s findings and wanted to defend the town.
Jan Blankenstein, 74, from Covingham, Swindon, described the recent poll as “nonsense” and said Swindon is an “amazing town.”
“What a load of nonsense,” he said. “I’m proud of Swindon and I’m happy living here.
The retired chiropractor and father of three said the town has an “active and dynamic” art scene.
“It’s got a very good music background, a literature background, and a cultural background in general. It’s also got a super theatre,” he said.
Commenting on concerns about safety and the look of the town he joked, “What graffiti,” before adding: “I tend not to notice the graffiti.
“I certainly have no concerns about safety.
“Swindon’s an absolutely amazing town. It has so many good things about it.”
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