I've only lived here for four years, but I don't know a single runaway or heroin addict I've only visited four or five times and my only guess is you've never been outside. where are you meeting these socially awkward runaways on your visits? If you're downtown, you're certainly seeing a ton of homeless people, but I've walked through and around downtown for two and a half years and I haven't been pestered nearly as much as in Chicago or NYC. (and I assume the Seattle homeless are socially awkward relative to the homeless in NY, who are clearly socially aware when they beg for money and food)