Big City safety- US vs Europe- Are they really any different?

You have to remember that most of the discussion is always on the negative side -- people don't post, I went to Europe and I was not pickpocketed. I personally think that petty theft -- pickpocketing, grab a bag, etc. is more likely in Europe than in Boston BUT I think it is more likely that I will mugged in Boston than in Paris. Although neither event is highly likely. When I was in Boston last summer I wore my money belt everyday. We have done 300+ days in Europe over the past 18 years and have never had a problem or lost anything. And most tourist have the same experience. You need to be careful, take some simple precautions and you will be fine.

Pickpockets specifically target tourists. They carry the most amount of cash, and are least likely to testify in court should the thief be caught. Anywhere in the world, where tourists congregate, their will be thieves at work....including Boston. In Boston your not as big a target as you would be traveling through Paris, Washington, Cairo, Buenos Aires, Sydney, or Beijing. No offense, but when folks say they already live in a big city and have street smarts, thus more aware of their surrounds, I always roll my eyes. You'll never be able to outsmart thieves, whether you've traveled once or a hundred times. Your best protection is to work under the assumption you will be robbed, keep just a days spending money in your wallet/purse, and use a money belt type device, or your hotel's safe. And yes I do wear a money belt when I travel domestically. I know people who have been pick pocketed at Disney World.

Thanks all- kind of what I thought. Hard to disguise oneself as "not" a tourist and certainly understand the distraction/confusion factor especially in countries where their is a language difference.
Roll your eyes or not Michael, but I DO think it makes a difference if you are used to the traffic, noise and surroundings of a city as opposed to someone who is not. Not saying I can't be mugged or pickpocketed (wouldn't be posting this question if I wasn't concerned) but I think I have a little different sense of things just because I am around it more. Same holds true for someone who lives in the counrty and is used to the different noises of animals. City/country- just different animals ;)!

Hi Michelle. I get what you're saying. I think there is crime potential in any city but there's definitely more potential in a larger, densely populated city & especially a city frequented by large numbers of tourists. I live near L.A. & worked in downtown L.A. for several years where I was on and off subways & trains and I was definitely more alert in that circumstance than I need to be in a smaller community. I think one is caught off guard & subject to crime more often when they're in an unfamiliar place & not familiar with the lay of the land. I think I would be more vulnerable in Rome where I don't speak the language, know the customs, etc. than if I were in downtown LA or NYC. You need to be cautious no matter where you are but more so in heavily touristed & unfamiliar areas. I do wear a money belt when I travel to big cities whether in Europe or the U.S. only because I carry larger amounts of money when travelling than I would ever carry at home. Don't be paranoid...just be prudent & you'll be fine.

If you don't feel as if you need to wear a moneybelt because you are more savvy, then don't. No one here is going to tell you what to do. All we do is offer suggestions.

But I will tell you this...as many here know, I'm a former tour director who has traveled all over. I've seen crime against tourists everywhere. And you know what...I wear a moneybelt whenever I travel outside my current home town. I grew up in NYC, spent many years in Miami and Los Angeles, and I consider myself very street smart.

Yet the first thing on my packing list is my moneybelt.

To add to Chris's reply-it would screw up your trip so much more if you lose money and passport. You've just spent thousands of dollars and lots of time on this trip. Spend $20 on a moneybelt and a few minutes to secure your valuables.

I've always always turned off my car and taken my keys with me, even to run back into the house for something. To me, the inconvenience of doing that is far less than the trouble of seeing my car being driven off by a thief. But again, you don't have to do what we advise, although there is a waiver to sign...

Hi, Michelle. I wouldn't take anything more than common smart precautions you would take in any big city: be aware of your surroundings, your valuables, and your options.

Statistically speaking, you are much more likely to get raped,murdered, shot or mugged on your way to the US airport, than you are harmed in any European city. Harsh but true.

Even the Moroccan markets have a lower crime rate than most large US cities.

Having a money belt is a great idea as: A) Europe/Europeans use more cash, B) You'll need your ID to get home, and C) the cash is worth more than ours.

Hope you have a great trip!