To remain safe in Atlanta, check the safe and unsafe neighborhoods, and be keen when moving around. Also, remember to avoid divulging personal data when logging onto Wi-Fi networks in airports. This is to prevent hackers and scammers from capturing your data. Here are a few tips on how to stay safe traveling in Atlanta.

Unsafe and Safe Neighborhoods in Atlanta

To stay safe in Atlanta, you need to know the neighborhoods and areas to stay away from, particularly those southwest of the I-85 and I-20 interchange. This is according to research by Trulia’s crime map. However, other parts of the city are also prone to crime. The most unsafe areas include Old Fourth Ward, Castleberry Hill, Edgewood, Vine City, East Atlanta Village, U-Rescue Villa, Kirkwood, Washington Park, and Peoplestown. Other neighborhoods to steer away from including Norcross, Perimeter Center, Smyrna, Dunwoody, and Duluth. A place like Kirkwood is popular for gangs.

Downtown Atlanta has some famous tourist attraction sites like the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. However, it can feel unsafe at night. If you want to stay in the safest places in Atlanta, stay in Midtown and its north side, in the suburbs, and Atlanta eastside as opposed to the West. Most of Buckhead, except Lindbergh, is safe to stay. Other safe places in Atlanta are Knight Park, Grant Park, Inman Park, Morningside, Decatur, Vinings, Poncey-Highland, Cabbagetown, Candler Park, Underwood Hills, Druid Hills, Brookhaven, and Chastain Park. Safe suburbs include Alpharetta, John’s Creek, Sandy Springs, and Roswell. For more on Atlanta’s neighborhoods check out this city guide by Suddath.

How to Move Safely in Atlanta

The most popular crimes in Atlanta are related to cars. Research by FBI shows that there were 1,490 vehicles stolen in 2017, and the most frequent crime was car break-ins. In case you are driving, look for a safe parking area to park your car and don’t leave any valuables in there. Whereby you are using a ride-sharing service like Lyft or Uber, be sure to use it with a friend. Some of the car-related crimes in 2017 involved Uber drivers picking up women and sexually assaulting them. Before getting into any hired car, always ensure that the car and the driver match the details on your phone app. Avoid sitting on the front seat and be sure to share the location with a loved one. You can even take a picture of the license plate and the driver and share with your family members. And before traveling you should speak with an attorney about ways to legally protect yourself.

In case you are strolling at night, make sure you do so in groups. Stick to streets that are busy and well-lit. Pickpocketing has been a prominent crime in 2018, and you need to be cautious of these criminals. Women’s phones are high target items for pickpockets and women need to ensure they keep their purses zipped and close to them all the time. You can even wear an anti-theft waist pack beneath the clothes for stashing your important items.

If you want to ensure the safety of your family and valuables, take these measures seriously. All-in-all, Atlanta is a fun, safe city, but like most major metropolises you need to stay sharp and make sure you are protecting yourself.