I don't live in an urban area now, but when I was in my 20s I lived in San Francisco. Keep your doors locked day and night. Lock your car at all times and don't leave anything of value in sight. Put packages, etc. in the trunk. Always be aware of your surroundings when you are walking anywhere.

NEVER walk anywhere alone, if you can help it - EVER! No place is safe if you don't know how to defend yourself, and even that won't help if the perpetrator has a gun. What Linda said applies no matter WHERE you live. The days of Andy Griffith and Mayberry are gone.

I grew up in the country and have lived in the city since I was 21 - I am aware of what's going on around me, wherever I am. I always try to walk with someone or a group, even though I am trained in self defense. I never walk directly to my car - I go down an adjoining car aisle and cross over to my car. I wouldn't say I'm paranoid, but I take as few chances as possible.

I would try to learn as much as possible about your new home via city-data dot com. There are "suburban-like" areas of any major city. Don't discount the advice you're getting, but don't scare yourself.....

Enjoy your new life! Sounds exciting to me...a new, fresh start.

Living in the city is wonderful! There are some big cities that are safer than the suburbs, such as Manhattan (and Paris!).

It is so nice to be able to walk everywhere you want to go or take public transportation. You can go to hear the orchestra, see a play, have dinner at wonderful restaurants and be back in your home in no time.

You may not need your car for days at a time.

I live just outside of Philadelphia and used to live in the city. If the schools were good, I never would have left. I met all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds. It really helped me to expand my view of the world.

I liked my neighbors and enjoyed being part of community associations.

Oh you will love, love, love it, if you get out and take advantage of everything your city has to offer. Many retirees are leaving big homes in the suburbs and moving into center city. They love it! Most have moved into high rise condo buildings with all sorts of amenities. Those buildings are very safe, too.

Of course, it depends on what city you are moving to. If you're moving to Detroit, it may not be so great.

Just don't go walking around dark streets at night. I bet you don't do that now. Just use your head and you will be fine. Pickpockets can be a nuisance, although you find them most in tourist areas. Get a bag with a zipper top and a cross should strap.

So where are you going? (if you don't mind sharing)

I've lived smack in the middle of a major city for 40
years. The first thing I'll say is that this advice:
"NEVER walk anywhere alone, if you can help it - EVER! "
is absurd. You have to go to the store. You might want
to take a walk. The advice I'll give is to be aware of
where you are and your surroundings. You use your
"street smarts". I was mugged when I first moved here
because we lived in sketchy area. Sure, it can happen,
but you can't live your life in fear.
Now, some other info.
There will be noise. There will be insane traffic... all day,
every day. There will be street hustlers....don't believe
anything they say. There will be the homeless lying
around. You will have neighbors.... a lot of them. You'll have
trouble communicating with a large percentage of the population. Fill your wallet because the cost of living is going to go through the roof.
On the other hand, you will have all of the first run movies.
You will have top notch opera, symphony and ballet.
You will have theater. You will have museums. You will have major sports teams. You may even have a zoo.
You will be able to find any kind of food your heart desires
(and good, too).
The range of types of restaurants is endless.
From what you described, you will definitely be in for culture
shock....but what the hey? You might like it....give the city
living a chance.

Give us more information. How big is the city? Are you going to be buying a house, renting, apartment living?

Some of these people are assuming that you'll be moving to a large city. Those with smaller populations will not be nearly as intimidating, dangerous, loud, etc.

Give us more information....is it Rochester, NY?

This post was edited by rhizo_1 on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 20:54

In a way, this decision was made for you, not by you. It is understandable for you to be nervous. New job and new home all at once.

I grew up and lived in an urban city for years. I now live in a suberb but one daughter lives in the city and the other goes in all the time.

For someone who has not lived in this environment, it will be quite a shock. The crowds, noise levels and quick pace will take getting used to. It's funny that when ever I go into the city, I walk faster. I had to stop myself and ask myself, "what are you rushing?"

If you don't have a place yet, try to see if you can live on a quiet side street.
A smaller building might be better than a larger one.

Another thing... Is your new job providing you housing?
Otherwise, I'm curious to how they can command you to
live in the city proper. Although our first responders are
required to live within a certain radius of the city, it is not
enforced. You might be more comfortable living in a
suburb.

It's funny that when ever I go into the city, I walk faster. I had to stop myself and ask myself, "what are you rushing?"

I'm chuckling because I spent my first 26 years in NYC, and when I took my son (then 14) back for a visit, I immediately started walking faster. He said, "What's wrong with you??" LOL

I'm sure Kayjones meant well, but I hope you won't take her advice about never walking anywhere alone. I hope you'll walk lots of places, alone or with company. Walking, people watching, and just observing the life and culture around you are advantages of living in a city.

In the time I was living in the city, I had my wallet stolen in Yankee Stadium, and encountered two flashers--one in a subway car and one in the New York Public Library. All of these things happened during the day, by the way. So I would advise you to avoid public transportation, limit your sporting activities to softball games in Central Park (or the equivalent in your city), and give up reading. :-)

When we were young, we lived and worked in NYC for about 8 months. I never walked so much in my life, and I wore out shoes that had given me years of good service in the suburbs. Just learn to lock everything, your windows too. My son lives there and thought he could leave his 3rd floor windows open and his computers were stolen twice in one month. He finally learned.

There are some neighborhoods in large cities that are best to avoid when you go house/apartment hunting. People at work can tell you about those. You are lucky that you don't have to worry about schools.

Cars parked on streets or in lots in big cities get dinged up. Since you will be walking in all kinds of weather, you will need shoes or boots for those occasions and a tote for office shoes to change when you arrive.

I moved from a town of 26000 people to the country, then 15 years later to Oklahoma City. Rather large for here abouts.

I was worried about living in the city, but found out I loved it.

First thing I did, was get on my bicycle and explore. For me, that worked so well to find my way around here.

I moved a few more times since.... and I am back in OKC. Now, I live near downtown and love the close proximity to EVERYTHING.

I walk, I ride my bike, both alone. But I am cautious. I don't go everywhere alone, nor all over the place after dark. But, I am not afraid here.

In fact, I have realized a few mornings that I had forgotten to lock my front, or my back door. It happens.. you know.

Like others said, be aware of your surroundings. Walk with a purpose.

How big of a city are you moving to?

Oh, yeah, it is noisier, but it is something you can get used to. :)

Moni

I live in Florida now that I am a senior citizen, but I spent most of my life in New York City, and I still miss everything that was easily available to me there. We had subscriptions to concerts, went to the theatre and ate out often at great restaurants. Lots of things to do in a city, and I enjoyed them all. You will love it.

Hosta, will your move be to Buffalo? If so, that would be considered a small/medium sized city. You'll find that most of the city is laid out in neighborhoods with nice yards, gardens, trees, and no hustle and bustle.

The sounds of lawn mowers and weed eaters will be the norm in most neighborhoods....not traffic. Birds will be more likely to wake you up in the morning than police sirens.

I would add that it helps to figure out what the norms conventions of your neighborhood are. For example, if everyone has to park their cars on the street, be respectful of the parking spaces in front of your neighbors' houses. Technically no one owns the street, but everyone wants to part in front of their own house.

Maintain your yard to the standard of the neighborhood. Pick up the trash that ends up in your yard and on the sidewalk in front of your house. Don't go out and mow your lawn at 7 AM on Saturday unless everyone else is doing it.

Greet your neighbors when you see them. Get out and walk around and get to know them.

I find the advice to "never walk alone" absolutely absurd too! I am a 50-ish single woman who walks everywhere and loves nothing more than urban hikes to explore new areas of the cities! I live in an extremely safe urban area--downtown Twin Cities MN. I feel far safer walking in my urban area than I might on a lonely country road. Assuredly I would NOT live in my area if I was so scared I couldn't walk alone. What a horrible feeling that must be!

I've walk alone in big cities pretty well all my life. I am under five feet tall and now a senior. I've never had a problem, but I am careful not to carry a lot of money and that sort of thing. My car was broken into once at night, but I had no money except a few parking quarters in the car and the thief didn't like my CD music selection. Someone tried to break into our house once but our dog alerted us. They caught the thief a few doors away. He had broken into every house on the street looking for jewelry but ours. The houses all had cheap builders locks on the side door that were easily popped with a credit card. Get dead bolt locks.

A small city bumpkin here (30,000), old fashioned neighborhood. Now I can't stand going to the big city (Chicago) for any reason. Have fun, and good luck.

I agree with many of the others that say..urban areas mean different things to different people.
You are way to general.

I purchased a rental house in an urban area and was there every day for 4 months and overnight several times.

1) Park in front of "your" house only.
2) Say hello to everyone and anyone, then don't look too interested...
3) Keep a weapon inside the front door, like a baseball bat or mace.
4) Switch your schedule around. Grocery shop or run errands after or before work on different days. People on a very set schedule may be setting themselves up for a robbery or home invasion.
5) Porch lights being turned off & on, on time...or have a timer for them is good.
6) Walking at night or early morning wear a flashing light, carry a flashlight, wear a safety vest.
7) Maintain your yard.
8) Curtains or blinds on every window. A must!
9) Know the watering schedule for sprinkler systems. Even if you don't have water rationing there are suggestions posted.

10. Know the HOA rules & follow them, if there are any.

Having lived in a medium city only once years ago, I could never go back. But I live close to a smaller city where I can be there in five minutes. All the convenience , but not the crime. That said I love visiting cities, but the constant noise and traffic would be hard to deal with after rarely having it now.

Thank you to ALL! I am moving from small Batavia NY to Buffalo NY - a small city with all the range of City issues! I need to establish residency in Buffalo as a result of taking a job with the Buffalo Public schools. We have listed our house in Batavia NY & have had 6 showings... it is a unique country property at a great price (in my humble opinion...). In the meantime I am leasing a studio in Buffalo, in the Allentown district. It is a great section of Buffalo and my studio is in a very secure area. Eventually my DH & I will move to Buffalo. He is more excited then I am - we have lived where I have had to live given I work in the public sector. I am more than happy to move to an urban area, where he would like to live. I don;t think I will have many issues but I feel like "Country Mouse. City Mouse"!

The City-Data website has a forum about Buffalo and surrounding areas.

I find the website interesting and informative. However, I also keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion so I take that into consideration.

You do not have to register or become a member to read what others ask/answer.

Anyway, give it a try, you may find it helpful -- especially when deciding which neighborhoods to target for your next home.

Here is a link that might be useful: City-Data / Buffalo Area Forum

When my DS and DIL bought a house within Chicago to comply with that city's regulations for teachers, a friend who was a police officer gave the property his 'blessing'. He approved of the glassblock windows on the ground level, the door locks, the general tone of the neighborhood.

You do need to start thinking differently -- a little defensively. It will take you a while to stop thinking you are 'paranoid' for locking everything and giving other people 'the once over' when they approach you or your door. Use deadbolt locks. Use a peephole before you open you door to anyone, anytime. Think twice before being as open and trusting as you are now. You'll feel 'rude'; you may think others are 'rude'. It's just the way people use caution in cities. I expect you will get good advice from some of your fellow teachers too.

Change is Good!

I have no advice since I've never lived in a big city. But just wanted to wish you a happy adventure!! Don't be afraid, go out and explore and enjoy. Lucky for you that you have a dh that is excited & willing to explore with you!
Enjoy this new venture!!! (I'm a little jealous - I've lived in the same small town for most of my life).