Margarine

I am leaving for London soon and I am sure, like any large city, there are some unsavory areas that we should try to avoid. What areas of London should we wary of??

Tulips

None of the areas where you are likely to go are unsavory. I'm sure there are some in London, but in 9 years of living there I haven't come across any.

Patrick

Although if I'm correct from looking at your email address that your last name is Bush, I'd suggest you keep that a secret for safety's sake!

(Only kidding).

david_west

You'll be fine if you avoid Penge.

In all seriousness there are some truly vile areas, but frankly even us locals don't go there, so why would you?

Anywhere a tourist is likely to go is pretty much OK.

Kayb95

But as with any major city, keep alert of your belongings and your surroundings. London, like every other major city has it's share of pickpockets. Just use common sense and you'll be fine.

Judyrem

It is ironic that I felt safer in London( I adore the place) than almost anywhere else I have been...just be aware of your surroundings.

Judyrem

Meant to say, any other city I have been.

ben_haines_london

About three or four miles from Piccadilly Circus in several directions you come to subsidised public housing in high rise blocks, set out on areas of grubby grass. The police walk there in pairs and shops are usually closed. There is minor theft, including threats of assault. These areas are unsafe. They are also ugly, and there is no reason
n for a tourist to go there. Local governments either pull them down and rebuild in four-storety blocks with gardens or refurbish them, and add TV and closed circuit locks controlled by number pads. Either way they become safe, but it is a long process.

To blame are Le Corbusier and various US architects of about 1940, who wanted the housing to be beautiful, a quote radiant city unquote. It is odd to report that in Hungary and Romania I have seen their idea work well, with flowerbeds, benches, and play areas, all well kept. Why the idea fails with us and in Paris I do not know. But in any case you are not bothered: you will not be there.

The former area for prostitutes and drugs in front of King Cross station was no bother to normal passers by, and has become a great building site for a channel tunnel rail terminal, clear of pests. Tourist areas like Westminster have pickpockets, whom you can foil in normal ways. The police recommend that you use your hotel safe for your passport and so on. Soho bounded by Oxford Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly and Regent Street has sex-show bars in cellars where thick-set doormen encourage you to pay bills of a hundred pounds or more. There is no such trouble on the ground floor.

I hear that near Frankfurt main railway station and in Chicago and New York there is daylight robbery in public areas. Not so in London: we are not like what you call any large city.

So, welcome.

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crefloors

I always felt very safe in London. I was not out wandering about at all hours of the night and of course being a tourist, I was usually in mostly tourist areas....gee, fancy that. My neice was living in London at the time in a flat in a huge building a few blocks off Edgeware, (had roaches but was affordable with three roommates LOL) but anyway, she was in a pretty ethnic neighborhood, and definitely not the "high rent" district. Her tube was Marble Arch and she, being young was out and about quite often and coming home late, walking from the tube stop. Her father, the worry wart asked her about her safety and she said she never really felt unsafe, knew where she was going, and was never accosted. She said the young guys would "cat call" to her and do the "kiss kiss" sound sometimes (she is cute) but she just ignored them and they didn't bother her.I would say, if you are walking late at night make sure you know where you are going and if in doubt take a cab.