Single Woman Living Alone In House
As a single woman living alone, you may be concerned about your safety. Creating a secure environment in your home so that you feel safe and peaceful. There are aspects of living alone that are can be a pain to deal with. Here are five major ones, and strategies for dealing with them. 5 Problems You Only Face While Living Alone (and How to Deal with Them) Dabney Frake. Sep 27, 2018 Greatest Hits; Safety & Security. Create structured ways to leave the house and regularly interact with.
.MY. personal thoughts - after having a crazy ex-husband, I feel safer in an area where I am not alone. By that I mean, I prefer either an apartment building with locking doors (or if it was guarded 24/7 that is okay), or a home in a gated community. I am making an exception right now: I live in a 3 family house. However, I have 2 males as neighbors, and my main apartment door is not connected directly outside. You have to enter through another locked door first. I do have a door that goes directly outside, but it is well hidden, and I have a regular lock, deadbolt, and chain on it (I didn't put them on, they were there when I moved in).
This is a big reason why I stay where I am. I agree that an upper level apartment may be the safer option; especially if there is not a window that is easily accessible (by the front door for example). Windows are easy for someone to break and get into your apartment. The apt I'm in is on the second level and the only windows/sliding glass door are on the side of the apartment opposite the front door; and as clevergirl05 stated, one would have to climb up the side of the building to reach the balcony or bedroom window.
Also, be aware of who your neighbors are, and the surrounding area. For one living alone and trying to be as safe as possible, it's best not to be overly friendly with people in your complex until you get a chance to know them, and it is a good idea to not have the same routine day in and day out, if possible. Being cautious about going out alone at night is also something to think about. If you know the neighborhood and all things being equal, for single woman, the apartment (multi unit upper floors) is likely safer, simply for the fact there are more 'eyes' and randomness to activity and traffic. Less chance to be isolated in your abode and stalked without someone else noticing.
That being said, you would want to know all entry/exit points and alternate your personal schedule of comings and goings. Criminals like targets with set routines. An apartment that has good mix with elderly is likely more safe due to the amount of eyes (nosey or not) paying attention to the comings and goings. Look for building which has secure entry and high visibility. Some older buildings are not designed (or landscaped well).
Always, be aware of your surroundings and have worst case scenarios thought out. Check to make sure the apartment complex, if they have security cameras, that they actually are working. I've known some to simply place the cameras and neglect maintenance and use them as a placebo effect. If you want house, choose one in close knit neighborhood where they are closer together (visible sightlines) - and again, strive for high numbers of 'eyes', with mix of home workers, elderly, etc. Always more safety in numbers (all things being equal). The old adage is 99% true: 'Criminals look for easy targets'. As for the 1% psychos or mentally disturbed, that is why everyone should learn basic self defense and have thought out ways of dealing with worst case scenarios.
In vulnerable areas know what you could use as weapon if you cannot flee. This sort of thought process, while scary / morbid to some, may help you from 'freezing' up (a common problem) should something happen i.e. Think it through. I would say an apartment would be safer. I think a key is to check the place out and not just on a guided tour they give you. Go there in the evenings and on the weekends to see what the activity is like.
Are there a bunch of people walking around? Is the place well lit? Are there teenagers around? Teens that live there themselves may not necessarily cause trouble but they can bring friends around who can cause trouble. I prefer the 2nd floor for safety myself. You can basically create a 'fatal funnel' of sorts if you have to defend yourself as the entry ways are usually limited in an apartment.
Situational awareness is key. Don't flaunt your prized possessions around, let people know what you own, etc. I keep to myself. My last landlord said she wouldn't even think someone lived there. I live in an apartment right now. It is a gated community, even though is costs more than the other places, I feel it's worth it.
Living Alone As A Woman
It is well lit and a few of the local police officers live here as well.
