Apartment rentals- where to keep valuables?
Jan 16th, 2014, 05:31 PM
#21
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Interesting to see the different approaches here. Myself, I stay in apartments whenever possible and treat my valuables as I would in hotel rooms: I keep a few hundred dollars, euros and pounds in my money belt along with passport and most of my credit cards. Only walking-around money and one credit card goes in my wallet. I don't leave big cash in the apartment.
The exception is my laptop, if I happen to be travelling with one. In a hotel, I keep it in a suitcase locked with a small combination lock. In an apartment, unless the place feels particularly vulnerable I will leave it out in plain view. But I travel with an inexpensive laptop in the first place, that it wouldn't kill me to lose!
Only time I will leave my passport and big cash when I go out is if I'm staying with friends or family. Actually in that case I often leave the whole money belt, come to think of it.
The exception is my laptop, if I happen to be travelling with one. In a hotel, I keep it in a suitcase locked with a small combination lock. In an apartment, unless the place feels particularly vulnerable I will leave it out in plain view. But I travel with an inexpensive laptop in the first place, that it wouldn't kill me to lose!
Only time I will leave my passport and big cash when I go out is if I'm staying with friends or family. Actually in that case I often leave the whole money belt, come to think of it.
Jan 16th, 2014, 07:23 PM
#23
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I have ALWAYS carried my passport on my person. I don't use safes and I never hide anything in a moneybelt or anywhere else. I don't do any of that paranoid stuff here at home and don't see any reason to do it anywhere else, and I've made literally hundreds of trips overseas, including to supposedly "dangerous" places. I use an ATM to get cash, never get much, and keep it in an inside pocket of whatever I'm wearing. I make a point not to look clueless or lost, don't bring out electronics or maps in public, know where I'm going before I get on the street or public transportation, don't engage with strangers, and generally try to send out vibes that I know where I am and what I'm doing.
Jan 16th, 2014, 10:00 PM
#24
I don't really worry about valuables in an apartment and usually not in hotel rooms either. I don't think I have ever read a report here about anybody's holiday apartment being burglarized even though people would probably cover every travel site they know with warning messages if it happened to them.
Jan 16th, 2014, 10:49 PM
#25
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<i>really not smart to carry passports on you</i>
And what is one to do when stopping for a day to visit a location between two overnight destinations?
I have been carrying my passport when traveling abroad since I was a student during the OAS bombings in Paris, when one had to have official I.D. which might have to be shown at any moment, especially around the university area.
And what is one to do when stopping for a day to visit a location between two overnight destinations?
I have been carrying my passport when traveling abroad since I was a student during the OAS bombings in Paris, when one had to have official I.D. which might have to be shown at any moment, especially around the university area.
Jan 17th, 2014, 05:39 AM
#26
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<i><font color=#555555>"really not smart to carry passports on you."</font></i>
What an absolutely silly thing to say. People who travel to a foreign country are required to show a passport as part of the travel process. You have to have your passport "on you." Why is it suddenly "not smart" to keep it "on you" after you arrive at your destination? You need it "on you" once again when you return home. The things people say on the internet.
<i><font color=#555555>"I make a point not to look clueless or lost, don't bring out electronics or maps in public, know where I'm going before I get on the street or public transportation, don't engage with strangers, and generally try to send out vibes that I know where I am and what I'm doing."</font></i>
And the award goes to Meryl StreepCirq for Best Actress in a Dangerous Place. I mean, really, who wants to study Stanislavski before taking on travel?
<i><font color=#555555>"I don't do any of that paranoid stuff here"</font></i>
Good for you, dear. Many people prefer moneybelts for convenience, which has absolutely nothing to do with paranoia.
Personally, I don't like visiting ATMs. I hate taking the time to look for one. I hate thinking about the security issues. And I want to avoid pulling out my plastic cards in public as often as possible. Even in my home town. So, dear readers, if you're the type of person who is comfortable carrying a thousand dollars (avoiding the need to visit a foreign ATM for days), and stashing the bills somewhere safely away from the obvious theft locations, a well-designed money belt offers an abundance of freedom and peace of mind. Don't listen to anyone who suggests you're being paranoid.
I don't remember where I purchased my money belt, but I LOVE the one I own. It's definitely no "fanny pack." You can't see it under my clothing, I barely know it's there, and I find its access easier than digging in my handbag.
What an absolutely silly thing to say. People who travel to a foreign country are required to show a passport as part of the travel process. You have to have your passport "on you." Why is it suddenly "not smart" to keep it "on you" after you arrive at your destination? You need it "on you" once again when you return home. The things people say on the internet.
<i><font color=#555555>"I make a point not to look clueless or lost, don't bring out electronics or maps in public, know where I'm going before I get on the street or public transportation, don't engage with strangers, and generally try to send out vibes that I know where I am and what I'm doing."</font></i>
And the award goes to Meryl StreepCirq for Best Actress in a Dangerous Place. I mean, really, who wants to study Stanislavski before taking on travel?
<i><font color=#555555>"I don't do any of that paranoid stuff here"</font></i>
Good for you, dear. Many people prefer moneybelts for convenience, which has absolutely nothing to do with paranoia.
Personally, I don't like visiting ATMs. I hate taking the time to look for one. I hate thinking about the security issues. And I want to avoid pulling out my plastic cards in public as often as possible. Even in my home town. So, dear readers, if you're the type of person who is comfortable carrying a thousand dollars (avoiding the need to visit a foreign ATM for days), and stashing the bills somewhere safely away from the obvious theft locations, a well-designed money belt offers an abundance of freedom and peace of mind. Don't listen to anyone who suggests you're being paranoid.
I don't remember where I purchased my money belt, but I LOVE the one I own. It's definitely no "fanny pack." You can't see it under my clothing, I barely know it's there, and I find its access easier than digging in my handbag.
Jan 17th, 2014, 05:41 AM
#27
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The concern I have with rental apartments is the owner still has the key and if I were to leave my passport/larger chunks of money they could get stolen. We are only travelling with carry-ons so keeping valuables in there may not work. But as someone mentioned previously, there would an abundance of posts regarding that kind of theft. We're renting from owners that have a lot of good reviews, so I'm hoping that would somewhat negate that likelihood...
Jan 17th, 2014, 07:00 AM
#29
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Here we go. 'I do this and will defend it to the death'. To which shold be added, whether it makes any logical sense or not. With the emphasis on not.
Do what you do at HOME, there is no difference anywhere else you go. I defy anyone to make a case for why you should handle your money any differently in Paris than you do in NYC or vice versa. This paranoia and I do agree it is paranoia is ridiculous.
As for a passport, who cares. Carry it or leave it in the room. In the HIGHLY unlikely event that it is stolen it's handy to have access to a copy somewhere to get a new one issued, that's all.
If you are comfortable carrying around large amounts of cash at home, go ahead and do it elsewhere. If you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it when travelling.
As for a money belt, well again if you wear one at home, go ahead and wear one when travelling. Pegontheroad, I'll ask you a question and I'm not singling you out for any other reason than that your response is the one above this one. Do you wear a moneybelt at home? If not, why do you need one when travelling? Why would someone from NYC need one in Paris but not in NYC? Or someone from Paris need one in NYC but not in Paris? Explain the logic of that to me please.
Do what you do at HOME, there is no difference anywhere else you go. I defy anyone to make a case for why you should handle your money any differently in Paris than you do in NYC or vice versa. This paranoia and I do agree it is paranoia is ridiculous.
As for a passport, who cares. Carry it or leave it in the room. In the HIGHLY unlikely event that it is stolen it's handy to have access to a copy somewhere to get a new one issued, that's all.
If you are comfortable carrying around large amounts of cash at home, go ahead and do it elsewhere. If you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it when travelling.
As for a money belt, well again if you wear one at home, go ahead and wear one when travelling. Pegontheroad, I'll ask you a question and I'm not singling you out for any other reason than that your response is the one above this one. Do you wear a moneybelt at home? If not, why do you need one when travelling? Why would someone from NYC need one in Paris but not in NYC? Or someone from Paris need one in NYC but not in Paris? Explain the logic of that to me please.
Jan 17th, 2014, 08:34 AM
#30
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<i><font color=#555555>"I defy anyone to make a case for why you should handle your money any differently in Paris than you do in NYC or vice versa."</font></i>
I hesitate to respond to this poster because I really don't wish to engage, let alone "make a case," however:
1. At home, I deal with one currency. When I travel to a foreign country (or two), I travel with two currencies, possibly more, plus a passport and a driver's license. When buying or renting certain things in a foreign country, you often need to present both.
2. At home, I don't walk alone for seven hours a day with a $30,000 camera kit on my back, a $1,000 tripod in my hand, and no safe place for a wallet.
3. At home, I rarely find myself in locations that are popular with tourists and the pickpockets who love them.
4. At home, I rarely find myself in neighborhoods that I don't know really well.
5. At home, I rarely find myself outdoors for more than 30 minutes, looking for things to photograph, visiting a museum or two, stepping into a Church, and shopping all on the same day.
I can think of many smart reasons to justify my love for a fabulously designed moneybelt while traveling in a foreign country. And I laugh at those who think that I lack logic or good sense.
I hesitate to respond to this poster because I really don't wish to engage, let alone "make a case," however:
1. At home, I deal with one currency. When I travel to a foreign country (or two), I travel with two currencies, possibly more, plus a passport and a driver's license. When buying or renting certain things in a foreign country, you often need to present both.
2. At home, I don't walk alone for seven hours a day with a $30,000 camera kit on my back, a $1,000 tripod in my hand, and no safe place for a wallet.
3. At home, I rarely find myself in locations that are popular with tourists and the pickpockets who love them.
4. At home, I rarely find myself in neighborhoods that I don't know really well.
5. At home, I rarely find myself outdoors for more than 30 minutes, looking for things to photograph, visiting a museum or two, stepping into a Church, and shopping all on the same day.
I can think of many smart reasons to justify my love for a fabulously designed moneybelt while traveling in a foreign country. And I laugh at those who think that I lack logic or good sense.
Jan 17th, 2014, 10:44 AM
#31
The concern I have with rental apartments is the owner still has the key and if I were to leave my passport/larger chunks of money they could get stolen.>>
so do hotel staff. i think that it is far more likely that someone on the staff [or their friend, or another guest, or just someone who has gained access to the hotel] would burgle your room, than that an apartment owner would use his/her key to gain access and rob you.
That said, I've never had anything stolen from either an apartment or a hotel room.
ducie - I can tell you why I have used a money belt on occasion - it's to stop my family using me as a packhorse. if I don't have my handbag with me, they can't put things in it!
so do hotel staff. i think that it is far more likely that someone on the staff [or their friend, or another guest, or just someone who has gained access to the hotel] would burgle your room, than that an apartment owner would use his/her key to gain access and rob you.
That said, I've never had anything stolen from either an apartment or a hotel room.
ducie - I can tell you why I have used a money belt on occasion - it's to stop my family using me as a packhorse. if I don't have my handbag with me, they can't put things in it!
Jan 17th, 2014, 01:20 PM
#32
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For once, I agree with Nyc food snob. If a money belt makes you feel more secure, then use one. As far as theft from apartments is concerned, leave your valuables in a locked suitcase, if that worries you.
Most people are honest, including apartment owners and service people.
Most people are honest, including apartment owners and service people.
Jan 17th, 2014, 02:44 PM
#33
<Do what you do at HOME, there is no difference anywhere else you go.>
Why that does not make sense if you lose your passport or money or have something stolen at home, it is relatively easy to have it replaced or deal with it. Not so when you're in Europe.
I either carry my passport in my purse or lock it in my suitcase in the apartment. I don't have large sums of cash at any one time. I use an ATM machine as I go.
Why that does not make sense if you lose your passport or money or have something stolen at home, it is relatively easy to have it replaced or deal with it. Not so when you're in Europe.
I either carry my passport in my purse or lock it in my suitcase in the apartment. I don't have large sums of cash at any one time. I use an ATM machine as I go.
Jan 17th, 2014, 02:56 PM
#34
What I do at home has nothing at all to do w/ what I do in other countries. The inconvenience of losing a cc or ATM card in California or New Mexico is next to none. I can walk into a bank branch and have it replaced in minutes,
I lose it in London or Rome . . . I am 8 to 10 time zones away and the complications are multiplied. Same w/ a passport . . . It disappears at home I can renew it. Overseas and it is a huge hassle.
So no, dulciesex, I am NOT paranoid about losing things or being robbed . . . But I do want to reduce the hassle factor. And you don't have to be so nasty whenever anyone has a different point of view.
I lose it in London or Rome . . . I am 8 to 10 time zones away and the complications are multiplied. Same w/ a passport . . . It disappears at home I can renew it. Overseas and it is a huge hassle.
So no, dulciesex, I am NOT paranoid about losing things or being robbed . . . But I do want to reduce the hassle factor. And you don't have to be so nasty whenever anyone has a different point of view.
Jan 17th, 2014, 03:05 PM
#35
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I think in most cases you are in much less danger of being a crime victim in Europe than at home in the US. That said,
my husband and I each have a pouch we carry around our necks under our clothes, where we each keep our passports, credit cards and atm cards. My husband keeps some money and one credit card in his wallet in his front pocket with a rubber band around it and I keep some money in my purse -- just enough for incidentals that we will need cash for. We do this not because we are at greater risk of crime, but because should something happen, it would be a much greater disruption of our lives if something were to happen thousands of miles from home in a country where we don't necessarily speak the language. We don't want our vacation spoiled.
We tend to carry very little cash at home and do the same abroad, relying on credit cards and the occasional stop at an atm (we try to use ones located in a bank). In fact on one trip we somehow forgot to get cash from the bank and ended up leaving on a trip to England with about $30 between the two of us -- it was not a problem.
my husband and I each have a pouch we carry around our necks under our clothes, where we each keep our passports, credit cards and atm cards. My husband keeps some money and one credit card in his wallet in his front pocket with a rubber band around it and I keep some money in my purse -- just enough for incidentals that we will need cash for. We do this not because we are at greater risk of crime, but because should something happen, it would be a much greater disruption of our lives if something were to happen thousands of miles from home in a country where we don't necessarily speak the language. We don't want our vacation spoiled.
We tend to carry very little cash at home and do the same abroad, relying on credit cards and the occasional stop at an atm (we try to use ones located in a bank). In fact on one trip we somehow forgot to get cash from the bank and ended up leaving on a trip to England with about $30 between the two of us -- it was not a problem.
Jan 17th, 2014, 03:38 PM
#36
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We have only had one robbery on any trip and that was in Dublin. It was a room of our friends. It was a hotel that had a rooftop balcony bar so the elevator to the rooftop was also the one for the guest rooms. We saw on the tape the guy tried every room on the floor. Our friends room was not visible on the camera and they must have forced the lock to get in. We were downstairs in the bar and they had left cell phone, camera, passport etc in room. He was a pilot so spent the next day at the American embassy getting it all worked out. The hotel was in the Temple bar district and turned me off from ever wanting to stay in that area again. We had a wall safe in our apartment in Italy behind a lovely painting. I just don't carry a lot of $$ and love my jacket with inside zip pockets.
Jan 18th, 2014, 06:23 AM
#38
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To add to NYCFS's post:
6. At home, I am awake and alert, not sleepy and jet-lagged.
7. At home, I can read and speak the language fluently.
8. At home, I am familiar with the social and cultural conventions.
9. At home, I am familiar with traffic and other laws.
Money belt = peace of mind.
BTW, I've read of several hotel room safe robberies. If you must use a safe, use the one at the front desk.
6. At home, I am awake and alert, not sleepy and jet-lagged.
7. At home, I can read and speak the language fluently.
8. At home, I am familiar with the social and cultural conventions.
9. At home, I am familiar with traffic and other laws.
Money belt = peace of mind.
BTW, I've read of several hotel room safe robberies. If you must use a safe, use the one at the front desk.
Jan 18th, 2014, 06:50 AM
#39
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Observing an American struggling to extricate her passport out of a money belt on a train travelling between Munich and Salzburg for the waiting border policeman, put me off the idea for life. I travel with a debit card and a credit card and a relatively small amount of cash (max €/£200) plus passport in a zip-up pocket in my handbag or day pack. Occasionally (for example on long-distance night buses, or if I'm going to be in a higher risk area) then I wear cargo pants and put things in a below-the-knee pocket. Never had any problems anywhere - apart from someone stealing an empty glasses case from a supermarket basket whilst I was doing an evening shop.
Jan 18th, 2014, 07:20 AM
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<i><font color=#555555>"Observing an American struggling to extricate her passport out of a money belt on a train…put me off the idea for life."</font></i>
If I made a universal judgement based on witnessing a single tourist who had no clue, I'd never travel. Every intelligent traveler knows, one needs to have certain items handy when a travel situation requires it.
Many tourists think a money belt is meant to replace a wallet, billfold, or passport case. I don't.
<i><font color=#555555>"I've read of several hotel room safe robberies."</font></i>
I've had very good experiences with hotel room safes, but my hotel choices may differ from others. The best room safes are built in and require a code that only you can create. No one else has the code and/or can get it. I think I told this story once before: I forgot several hundred Euro in my room safe after I checked out of my favorite hotel in Florence. My room's housekeeper came down to the street as I was loading my car to inform me that the safe was still locked, and I needed to open it before I leave (it's a hotel requirement if you use the safe). That's the last time I forgot about money in my room safe.
If I made a universal judgement based on witnessing a single tourist who had no clue, I'd never travel. Every intelligent traveler knows, one needs to have certain items handy when a travel situation requires it.
Many tourists think a money belt is meant to replace a wallet, billfold, or passport case. I don't.
<i><font color=#555555>"I've read of several hotel room safe robberies."</font></i>
I've had very good experiences with hotel room safes, but my hotel choices may differ from others. The best room safes are built in and require a code that only you can create. No one else has the code and/or can get it. I think I told this story once before: I forgot several hundred Euro in my room safe after I checked out of my favorite hotel in Florence. My room's housekeeper came down to the street as I was loading my car to inform me that the safe was still locked, and I needed to open it before I leave (it's a hotel requirement if you use the safe). That's the last time I forgot about money in my room safe.
