You're traveling to a new city and plan to stay in an Airbnb. What's your number one question? Let me guess: You want to know if the neighborhood is safe.
It's a totally valid question, but do you knowwhat else is true? Asking your host if it's a safe areamay not get you off on the right foot before your stay, especially if that host (ahem) lives in the same home they're renting.
I know, you don't mean to be rude. But the thing is they've chosen to live in that home, in that community. They've probably invested a lot of money and time there. They like to share their neighborhood with guests, and are likely proud of what it has to offer. So here you come asking a perfectly innocent question.
But what they might hear is: It may be good enough for you, but is it good enough for me?
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If I sound frustrated it's because as a long-time host, I am. I struggledto set realistic expectations with every guest at our previous Airbnb inDetroit.It was geographically convenient, but — like many other homes in the city — there were abandoned houses and lots on the block, and we were hit with some rock bottom ratings on location.
Now I host in Old Louisville, a vibrant, urban neighborhood of great diversity on many counts, and one where visitors may encounter folks from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
The struggle now is: How informed should I assume my guests are about what life in an urban area entails? And when they ask if my neighborhood is “safe,” how are they defining that? Do they mean "Will someone ask me for money?" because that could well happen (as it could downtown, in the Highlands, and in neighborhoods the world over).
Or do they mean "Will I be murdered crossing the street?"If so, how can I even answer that? Real estate professionals legally can't provide that kind of counsel, and neither do I.
Hosts who promise safety are being irresponsible; nobodycan guarantee such a thing when random acts of violence pepper the news daily. I will never tell someone my neighborhood is safe. I'll never tell them it's not. I tell them it's my home, where I happily choose to live, and suggest that they do their research and choose a neighborhood where they'll feel comfortable. The majority of the time they still choose to book (and have a wonderful time).
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So, travelers, if you want to get off the beaten track but want to know if a neighborhood will feel safe to you, my advice is to take responsibility and do your due diligence. How?
You can start by checking out Google street view — I generally do that when I travel somewhere new. You may not have the exact address prior to booking, but Airbnb will show you the general neighborhood and you'll get the address upon booking. One guest did just that and promptly canceled. That was best for all parties.
Check out crime stats if you're that concerned. Certainly read reviews of the listing you're interested in, and even of nearby places. Past guests don't equivocate. A local Airbnb has a review in which the guest said they didn't feel safe and were leaving. That may seem like a red flagbut don't jump to conclusions. You might want to spend a little time going down the rabbit hole and see how that traveler's reviews compare to other guests' at other places. Maybe they're just a Nervous Nelly. Or maybe they've traveled extensively and left reasonable reviews elsewhere, and they were scared for real reasons.
And finally, consider the price. If it's suspiciously low, ask yourself why.
Learn to read between the lines of the descriptions and know your comfort level.When my description saysthere's “a good bit of foot traffic featuring people from all walks of life” that means you may encounter people on the sidewalk who don't have the resources to take a vacation like you. Are you OKwith that?
If a neighborhood is described as urban, you can expect the hubbub that comes with that. If it says a neighborhood is residential, that means you're probably gonna need a car to get to attractions.
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Also think about your expectations. Airbnbs often are in areas not served by hotels. That means the amenities you might find at a downtown hotel won't necessarily be so readily available. It's nice to be able to run to a pharmacy around the corner if you need something. If that's important to you, choose your neighborhood and style of accommodation carefully.
But if you're looking at an Airbnb it's likely because you value the more meaningful connections you might make that aren't going to happen in a business district. So keep an open mind. Use your spidey senses. And if it's important to you to respect the host, don't put the burden of your sense of safety on them.
Tell Dana! Send your restaurant “Dish” to Dana McMahan at [email protected] and follow @danamac on Twitter.
