NEED SUGGESTIONS Washington DC, Memphis and Blueridge PKW

[Southwest Dave]

Originally Posted by Southwest Dave
Each of the places you have mentioned is someone's home and they live there in safety and go about there daily business, so you do not need to worry unduly.

I can't really agree with this. Some people live in -- perhaps are forced to live in -- some downright horrible places, and some of them do not live there safely. Instead, they are victims of crime in their own neighborhoods. I think it's wise for the original poster to ask what type of places he's visiting.

Bad things DO happen; for example, my husband was attacked in broad daylight -- literally attacked, it turned into a street fight, and much blood was involved -- by a street person on a trip about a year ago. The guy was probably mentally ill.

I wouldn't choose to forego a certain city that I really wanted to see because of safety concerns, but I might take extra caution in choosing my hotel, and I might plan not to be out after dark IF I were warned about dangerous areas.

Whereas I agree with what you are saying bad things can happen in good places, unfortunately that's life. There are places that bad things are more likely to happen and you shouldn't put yourself in that situation.

I think that with my entire quote I made it clear that common sense must prevail and dark and seedy areas are to be avoided and that you must be aware of your surroundings, as you would have to be anywhere. I do not know of an entire city that is a "no go area" for everyday citizens.

The rest of my quote in the same post,

originally posted by Southwest Dave Whether you are at home or any other country in the world just use your common sense and listen to your "built in radar" that might set of alarm bells if you start to wander away from well lit main areas into "seedy" ones, which is something you don't want to do anyway.

[glc]

Even in the roughest and seediest cities (and DC is one of those, unfortunately), if you stick to the mainstream tourist areas, you should be fine. It is NOT advisable to blindly go exploring neighborhoods without advance advice.