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Anon takes the last bus
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this post was submitted on 11 May 2025
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What does your "Average American Town" look like in your mind?
What's the population like?
Is it Rural, suburban, urban?
I'm only curious because I've lived all over and to say you felt unsafe in 90% of it makes me think it's a you problem and not a problem with "Average American Town" or you're just talking out of your ass.
Funnily enough I've lived in all 3 categories of these places.
Rural: no sidewalks and large distances. Walking is usually impractical because of distances and lack of sidewalks. Your house is most likely right on the side of the local road. To get anywhere your real option is biking, but cars go fast on these road. You better not be caught at night or on heavy rain, because some grandma is going to take you out. Many times people were shouting at me from cars passing by, one time threw an empty can, couple times some wrappers and stuff.
Suburban: walking most likely is an option as is biking. If you are lucky, there are sidewalks, but I'm my case there were large portions of the road without sidewalks. Even worse sometimes short route takes you through intersections that aren't easily navigable by pedestrians. No lights, slip lanes etc. it's very uncomfortable walking or biking on such roads for long time. Your best option is to try to find circuitous route through neighborhoods and only cross major roads when needed. That increases travel time by a lot at expense of higher safety and keeping your hearing. Fewer shouts from the car, but they happen still.
Urban: that's the most walkable setup. The only one I really recommend. I've lived in what considered a very bad part of town and managed to walk to store and gym with no problem. But I'm a guy and was young then, so your milage might vary.
I've kind of had the opposite experience as you.
I don't mind walking in rural areas because there aren't many cars and people tend to just leave me alone. I have had people ask of I need a ride or something, never had cans thrown at me or anything. Yeah, sidewalks aren't really a thing, but there's usually a generous gravel or grass strip next to the roadway. It's a bit sketchier at night with drunk drivers, but they're rare enough that you just need to stay aware of approaching cars.
In suburban areas, if you know the area somewhat, you can avoid 99% of the traffic by taking side streets. Sidewalks are hit and miss, but walking in the road is usually fine since people are watching out for kids amyway. Night is a little sketchy, but it's mostly teens and you can hear them blaring music and squealing tires from fairly far away.
Urban areas scare me because population density is way higher so your chances of being in the same place as a criminal is pretty high. I didn't grow up in the city, so I maybe spending more time there would help me feel more comfortable, but it seems like he bad areas are pretty close to the "regular" areas and it's possible to accidentally take a wrong turn somewhere and get into trouble. Nights are terrifying since with drunk people on the streets both in cars and as pedestrians. It's fine if you're in a nicer/commercial area, not great elsewhere.
So my order of preference in walking is first rural areas, then suburban areas, and urban areas last. But I've spent most of my time in rural and suburban areas, so I admittedly don't have a ton of experience in urban areas.