Is it safe to stay in the Red Light??
 

I'm traveling with my boyfriend for 2 nights. We are both in our mid 20's. We have a room at the Greenhouse Effect about a block or 2 SW of Our Lady in the Attic church and just want to know if it's a good location (safe) and if anyone has stayed here before. Any feedback would be great!!

The Red Light District? Where? Amsterdam?

Assuming you're talking about Amsterdam, yes, the Red Light District is as safe as any other business district in a major city; you will probably be offered heroin or X a few times, but don't accept, and the prostitutes are unionized, it's fine (just don't be too overly prudish or close-minded).

We met a young couple from the north of Holland who assured us that they always stay in the Red Light district when they visit Amsterdam. They contend that it is the safest part of the city. Surveillance cameras record what is happening (at least in the streets).

don't know about safety but there are certainly more attractive parts of Amsterdam (Leidseplein, the Jordaan, Vondelpark, canal rings, all come to mind).

Yes, the Red Light in Amsterdam, sorry didn't think to mention that. Thanks for your responses so far!

Quite safe, if for no other reason that it's always packed with tourists. The main safety concern is like it is in any other crowded, touristy area - pickpockets.
There are lots of hostels and budget hotels in the Red Light District, so there will be plenty of other people staying there.

<<just want to know if it's a good location (safe) >>

Well, these are two different things. The RLD is safe, but there are much better areas to stay - like the canal district (between the Singel and Prinsengracht).

We stayed close there by mistake in a very nice hotel - safe. But the crowds are a little weird looking.

Enjoy the city! Take a boat down canals at night and daytime, if you can. Looks very different/

I've stayed there in a specialty hotel about two blocks from Centraal Station on several occasions.

Yes, there are prettier parts of town to stay in but I really wouldn;t worry too much about safety in this area if my own experiences have been any example.

And, I have to disagree, for obvious reasons, that the people you see there are any more bizarre or weird than in some other parts of A-Dam. Perhaps some of the people who are hypocritical about their sexual and other desires don't look as "different."