pet peeves: 'in' and 'the'

[Cristina.ro]

Hi,

It's a great place to live in, apart from the increasing volume of traffic that passes under my window every day.
This area of the town is beginning to look very run-down and impoverished.

Are those sentences correct both with and without the bold parts? And if they are, is there any slight change in meaning?

Thanks
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Just remember... if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off!

[Beeesneees]

They are, and if there is a change it is extremely slight, and relates to emphasis.
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Cheers m' dears!