Crime, Security & Returned Camera

On an online group that I participate in, Costa Rica Living, a woman recently asked about safety in my town of Heredia. Someone had posted about being attacked on the street and his gold necklace stolen. She had decided to move to Costa Rica and was now questioning her choice of Heredia as a place to live. We hear a lot about crime here. We sometimes don't hear enough about the other side of the coin. My answer to the concerned woman:

I honestly don't know if Heredia is a "much safer place to live," but I have lived here (up the hill from Universidad Internacional, so relatively close to downtown) for over 4 years now. Although I am aware of crime in the area, and even in my own neighborhood, I must say that I do not live in fear. I go where I want to go when I want to go. I have walked on the downtown streets and in parque central after dark without feeling threatened. It's also true that I had my day pack stolen from right on the floor by my chair while I wasn't paying attention in Pop's ice cream place. And yes there were once some small items stolen from our garage. On the other hand, my home was broken into when I lived in Tacoma, Washington (and the door was broken down to enter); I had stereo equipment stolen from my home in a "safe" suburb of Houston, Texas; my apartment was broken into and several items were stolen in Hollywood, Florida. I feel no less safe here than I did living in those places or in other places where I've lived. I know that no matter where I live I am not exempt from crime. But I do not feel threatened. Most people here are so friendly and helpful that it's amazing to me. If anything, most seem to need to look out for my welfare, knowing that I am an "ignorant foreigner!" Yesterday, getting off a bus, my husband Gene somehow dropped his camera. He didn't realize it until the bus driver came running down the sidewalk looking for him to give it back. Another passenger had noticed it and told the driver. This morning after our neighborhood exercise class, my Tico neighbors reminded me (twice!) to close my garage doors! I like living here. Sometimes there are things I do not like. I could say the same about any other place I've ever lived. But by and large I am much happier with my lifestyle - and my neighbors - than I was in the other places.