Several years ago, I traveled alone to Seattle, even though I had a teacher living there. However, most of the time, I had to explore the city on my own. My impression of downtown Seattle was formed as soon as I arrived from the airport – I must say, one needs to be mentally prepared. Daytime is relatively safe, but the later it gets, the more one needs to be cautious, especially avoiding walking alone on the streets at night.
I'm not referring to relatively remote streets but rather bustling areas within Seattle. I remember getting off the light rail at Westlake Center after landing at the airport. With some spare time before meeting my teacher, I wanted to stroll around Pike Place Market. The first impression of this area was that it was quite lively, with many upscale hotels, renowned brand stores, and office buildings nearby. However, the sheer number of homeless people on the streets was unimaginable, even in the city center!
During the day, they didn't pose much of a threat, and there were always police cars stationed and patrolling nearby. However, walking through at times, the smell wasn't pleasant, a mix of various odors blending in the air. It's important to be mindful of personal belongings and how you handle important items. Locals seemed accustomed to such scenes! Just walk naturally, try not to stare at those people intentionally, and everything should be fine.
Moreover, the closer you get to tourist attractions, the safer it tends to be, or heading towards residential areas not far from downtown is also reasonable. It's advisable to keep personal belongings minimal and easy to carry, and at night, it's best to avoid moving around alone. All activities are preferably conducted during the daytime, minimizing the likelihood of encountering significant issues. Otherwise, it's better to travel in groups, as hardly anyone ventures into the downtown area during those hours.
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