Travel Tips: Safe and Solo
Traveling solo can be a liberating experience. Whether you are a digital nomad who is looking to explore a new culture or a vacationer looking to escape the daily routine with some alone time, solo travel can provide you with the freedom to design your own itinerary and travel at your own pace. However, many people are fearful of traveling alone due to safety concerns. While traveling anywhere unfamiliar can come with some risk, this can be offset by doing your homework and following a few tips:
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Photo by MIchele Perkins
Know your neighborhood
Researching your neighborhood before your vacation can help you make the most of your trip. Nowadays it is relatively simple to find out about the neighborhood where you plan to stay. Entering the address in google maps can give you an idea of where you’re going and what kind of housing, stores, and restaurants are nearby, while sites like www.spotcrime.com can let you know if there have been any incidents around the area. However, even in the nicest of neighborhoods, safety isn’t guaranteed. Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. Stay in well-lit areas and avoid walking alone at night or in secluded areas.
Dharma lets you know about the communities where our apartments are located in the Neighborhood section under each property on our website. There you can hear about the vibe of each neighborhood along with local landmarks and activities.
If you’re interested in finding out more about things to do and places to visit around Dharma properties, our Blog page has many entries detailing fun things to do and great places to eat and shop. To find out about events, sign up for our Newsletter, where each issue highlights different properties and lists activities going on around them.
Know how you're getting around
There are a plethora of ways to get around town – and you should plan ahead on how you are going to do it. In many places, like Novia at Hoboken, public transportation like a bus or a ferry make it easy to get around without a car. If you decide to take public transport for a day out in the city, be cautious with your money: Carry only what you need and use an ATM in well-lit and populated areas. Keep cash and cards separate, and avoid flaunting large amounts of money or valuables in public. In other areas, you might be better off taking a rideshare such as Uber or Lyft to get where you want to go. With these apps, you don’t need to take out cash or cards, but you do want to make sure you check the license plate of the car before you get in to make sure it matches the information of your driver.
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Photo by Cristina Gonzalez
Know where you are staying
There are so many housing options available in today’s market that it is difficult to know which ones are reliable and safe. Look for accommodation options that are well-reviewed, and avoid staying in remote or unsafe areas. It’s easy to look up property reviews to see if a particular brand or host is trustworthy; Airbnb even gives out “Super Host Badges” that reflect the high rating of a property, so you can see at a glance if you are with a reputable host or company. For example, Dharma Homes Suites is a Super Host for every property.
As always, though, even in the best of places things can happen, so always lock your doors and windows, and don’t share your room number or details with strangers.. Look for security measures: Check if the property has a gated entrance, security cameras, or 24-hour security. Don’t be afraid to contact your accommodations and ask about safety and security measures
Solo travel can be an empowering and enriching experience, but it’s important to stay safe while exploring the world on your own. With these tips and a little common sense, you can have an enjoyable and unforgettable trip. Happy travels!
