Downtown Seattle Safety Early/Late Hours? (Bellevue: apartment, neighborhoods, to live)

[Herbpeddler]

I'm an 18-year-old girl who just got an apartment in the middle of Seattle (Westlake Center area). I have a job five blocks from my apartment and will be working swing shifts and graveyard shifts. I want to walk to and from my job, of course, but I'm worried that I might have problems. I've considered a bike, but my apartment is teeny tiny and there isn't any place to keep it (and management is not being helpful as to an alternative). Any advice?

[orangeblossom]

I used to live DT ( on Stewart by the Greyhound station ) in my late teens and I had never encountered a problem there or in Capital Hill.

[chelseagirl]

My opinion is for any woman, you should ALWAYS find someone to accompany you, especially at night. I know that might pose a problem, since it is the night shift. Maybe see if someone at your work lives close to you, and you guys can go together. I occasionally work the night shift, and I call my security guard to accompany me to my car in the early morning hours. Never go out by yourself at night, it is just a safety issue. You can be in the safest city in the world, and things can still go bad, you dont want to be by yourself when it does!
Good Luck!

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by orangeblossom

I used to live DT ( on Stewart by the Greyhound station ) in my late teens and I had never encountered a problem there or in Capital Hill.

How long ago was that? I used to live on Capital Hill and someone died of a heroine overdose on our front steps right on Bellevue Ave East, between Olive and Denny Way. But that was the late 80s so things may have cleaned up a bit.

[jwb123]

We lived in Cap Hill in '99-00 and even then I don't think I would walk around by myself at night. I was 24. All city neighborhoods change just a bit when the sun goes down. You will probably be fine - but Seattle is a city, and thats the risk, and what you accept, of city life. It's smarter to avoid walking around by yourself at night, if there are other options.

I would hang your bike from the ceiling in your walkway, or lock it to your balcony (if you have one).

[tsuyoi_racing]

Originally Posted by Herbpeddler

I'm an 18-year-old girl who just got an apartment in the middle of Seattle (Westlake Center area). I have a job five blocks from my apartment and will be working swing shifts and graveyard shifts. I want to walk to and from my job, of course, but I'm worried that I might have problems. I've considered a bike, but my apartment is teeny tiny and there isn't any place to keep it (and management is not being helpful as to an alternative). Any advice?

these places are shady, but not necessarily dangerous...

after 9pm:
Western Ave/Blanchard
Elliott/Bell
anywhere under 99 viaduct

[AzDreamer]

As long as you are walking and not waiting around for a bus you should be fine.

[Hamza]

Originally Posted by Herbpeddler

I'm an 18-year-old girl who just got an apartment in the middle of Seattle (Westlake Center area). I have a job five blocks from my apartment and will be working swing shifts and graveyard shifts. I want to walk to and from my job, of course, but I'm worried that I might have problems. I've considered a bike, but my apartment is teeny tiny and there isn't any place to keep it (and management is not being helpful as to an alternative). Any advice?

You will be absolutely safe; the many junkies that hang around the city center late at night are often slow and shuffle rather than run. Plus, if they bite you you'll have nothing to fear --- no teeth.

But what really does it for me is the eco-friendly recycling vibe in downtown. If, like me, you're plagued with piles of spare change, residents of the downtown bus shelters offer myriad redistribution options. Recycle, reduce, reuse -- and close the loop!

[jinj]

If you walk, carry a personal alarm around your neck, the pull cord type.

Or pack, if you feel comfortable.

[Freebird2007]

a lot of bums and shady characters around here at night. some girl got raped by a homeless man not too far back in a park here