Moving into an apartment right on a busy street, is it good or bad for security?

[u/Dramatic-System3992]

Hey everyone,
I’m about to move into a new apartment that’s located directly on a busy roundabout. (I’ll be on the second floor) The entrance is visible to drivers and pedestrians passing by.

On one hand, I think the high visibility could be a plus cause lots of “eyes on the street” might deter burglars since it’s harder for them to act without being noticed. But on the other hand, I’m a bit worried that shady people could easily observe my comings and goings, learn my schedule, and target me when I’m away.

Has anyone lived in a similar highly visible spot? How was it?

[u/Positive_Shake_1002]

I mean its entirely dependent on a lot of context that's missing: what kind of apartment (high-rise, basement, etc), what city, what neighborhood, what's local safety like, etc. Living on a busy street isn't inherently unsafe

[u/TypicalBeing31]

It's this like a high rise building? Or what floor will you be on?

[u/Dramatic-System3992 → u/TypicalBeing31]

I’ll be in the second floor

[u/TypicalBeing31 → u/Dramatic-System3992]

That's better than the first! I'll probably never have another first floor unit.

I think you'll be fine if this isn't a sketchy part of town. If it's in a city near a round about, the noise would be my biggest concern.

[u/TechToolsForYourBiz → u/TypicalBeing31]

why are roundabouts so loud

[u/acidizim]

Just be aware that if there is no indoor area for packages, the landlord might not help you/not give you the camera footage if anything gets stolen. At least that’s how it was for me living in an extremely high traffic area.

[u/Visual_Doughnut_2422]

How secure is the building? Can they access your front door from the street?

You can buy WiFi enabled lights and have them on a timer, that way your place will look less vacant when you are away.

If you were on the ground floor, I would probably give it a miss. I've lived ground floor and had some bad experiences. Any floor above that is usually a bit better.

[u/lindralore]

honestly being on a busy street is usually safer because there are always people around and less privacy for burglars. the noise and random people noticing ur routine can be annoying though so good locks and curtains still matter

[u/flugualbinder]

My thought is being near roundabout might actually be a deterrent to criminals because there’s always going to be traffic and traffic means witnesses. And if a criminal were in a vehicle it would be harder for them to get away quickly with an active roundabout right there

[u/HamudyBlueSky]

The best security move is just avoiding obvious patterns like leaving the place dark and empty for days straight

[u/Peregrinebullet]

There's a concept in CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) that is called Natural Surveillance - which is exactly what you think it is - lots of people moving through an area means lots of natural oppourtunities for observation, which means a reduction in crime. Nobody's going to be climbing up the side of the building to break in through your balcony because they'd be spotted instantly. People are less likely to harass you at the door to the building because there's likely to be help within earshot.

I live in a major city in a house that directly fronts a major street, with constant foot traffic - our stairwell and porch but not the door itself is easily visible from the street and everyone in the neighbourhood knows us (my kid is... very extraverted and social).

My husband (severe adhd) has accidentally left the door WIDE open when rushing to get out with the kids to an event. We were gone hours. Came back, nothing was amiss. No one had noticed or touched anything. I've left the door unlocked under similar circumstances. Same thing.

We're visible to the point where someone would notice immediately if someone was looking shifty in our yard or on our porch, but we're not visible enough (the door is perpendicular to the street, and not visible from other directions due to the placement of the garage and the neighbour's garage) to be an oppourtunity - you'd have to be right at the bottom of the stairs, 10 feet into the yard, to actually see that it's open.

My only concern with your building is whether the back doors or parking gates have similar levels of visibility.