<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>My son is interested in applying to Rice University. He told me today that he heard one of his friends (who is from Houston) that the neighborhood around Rice isn't that great. The friend supposedly said neighborhoods were unsafe. Is this true? I believe that my son was just a victim of a rude joke, but he has taken it seriously.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>When I was there to visit, Rice seemed extremely safe. They have lots of police around the campus. Immediately surrounding the campus are beautiful large old money homes. They are quite nice to look at so I'll assume that it is a nice neighbor with low crime rate and high incomes. As you probably know, the Texas Medical Center is across the street so that could account for something.</p>
<p>Not safe? Lol..</p>
<p>Rice is right next to Medical Center, you are basically surrounded by people everyday so no chance of a mugging or anything. Hermann Park is also right across from the campus. Then there's the Museum District right next to it. I know Im just naming a few places but there is nothing unsafe about the Rice neighborhood. </p>
<p>The only thing you gotta worry about is the weather. It went from 70 - 30/40 in like 6 hours the other day..lol</p>
<p>haha not really reassuring pyles when you say: "They have lots of police around in campus."</p>
<p>Cause it's a big thing if they NEED LOTS OF POLICE around in campus.</p>
<p>But from all i heard, it's a really nice, cozy, and friendly place and very safe. You will definitely feel fine</p>
<p>The weather isnt that bad ... You can deal with it
The neighborhood around Rice is WAAAAAAAY safe are you kidding me? It's an elite neighborhood from what i saw. All i saw were Jaguars, BMW's, Bentley's, and Range Rovers driving around near the 59 exit. The neighborhood around Rice is like Highland Park in Dallas,TX if you want an analogy.</p>
<p>I'm sure its not that they NEED the police, but they are there just in case. I have heard that they will even given you rides late at night if you de feel unsafe. Besides, I'd rather be in a safe place with lots of police than a safe place with a few. But there's nothing to worry about, Rice's neighborhood is wonderful. Rice Village is really nice and I've heard that most people dont even leave campus that often unless they really want to or have to.</p>
<p>The two times I visited, the neighborhood around Rice seemed very safe. I saw lots of people out running after dark and the houses are all very upscale and really beautiful. I also was told what pyles said, that if you feel uncomfortable at night that you can call a shuttle or a police officer and they will escort you back to your dorm or wherever.</p>
<p>Rice is in an odd area of town. On three sides of campus, there's West U and the Rice Village... Pretty, high-class houses and some nice shops. On the fourth side is the Texas Medical Center and Hermann Park. Some homeless and disturbed folks are channeled into the med center and there are some homeless people who live in and around Hermann Park, and occasionally they seem a little sketchy. Because it's just very busy and there are a lot of people around most of the time, some of the people are just going to be a little odd, and some folks who cause trouble will occasionally creep in. There's a little bit of petty theft that goes on, occasional car windows get broken, and sometimes someone gets attacked while they're running alone after dark on the outer loop (the crushed granite footpath that runs the perimeter of the university). </p>
<p>The basic deal is that you just need to be smart about what you're doing, because you ARE in the city, and they CAN'T hermetically seal the campus. Don't go for a run by yourself after dark. If you feel uncomfortable, you need to call the campus police or the shuttle (is Mimi still driving the van at night? She's awesome). Keep an eye on your stuff, park under lights, and keep your eyes open... but don't freak out. Rice is fundamentally very safe, and it's not like Rice students are getting picked off by criminals one by one. Major bad things happening are really pretty anomalous.</p>
<p>For being a big college campus in a big city, it's ridiculously well-guarded, and very safe.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Mimi left last year. I actually don't know the knew driver's name.</p>
<p>Crime is everywhere - in every city, suburb, and rural area, so reasonable people take reasonable precautions! The area around Rice IS very, very nice and there is are a lot of people out and about, but that doesn't mean it is crime-free, just like NO place is crime-free. Bicycle thefts are one of the biggest problems on campus, but the Rice police are pretty good and keep an eye on things.</p>
<p>Rice is surrounded by the largest medical complex in the world, the second largest metro park in the US (which includes a golf course and the Houston Zoo), a very nice area of small shops and restaurants, the Museum District, and a beautiful residential district.</p>
<p>If you want a testimony I have run the outer loop at 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 in the morning and I haven't been raped yet. So yeah it's all good.</p>
<p>In all seriousness, the neighborhood around Rice is high-end and I think a lot of professors etc live there. Homeless people sleep in Hermann Park at night but as long as you don't decide to camp out there or something you'll be PERFECTLY fine, and I know RUPD has a few security cars circling the outer loop at night (they stopped me while I was running the other day and asked if I was cold, lol).</p>
<p>Having lots of cops doesn't necessarily imply a lot of crime; it's a precaution. To my knowledge RUPD has a little TOO much free time at night...</p>
<p>i understand and agree with most/all of you. Just its not really a good selling point, "that there are A LOT of police there." i mean sure there are cops to watch out for your safety, fine... but a lot all the times. Makes it sound dangerous</p>
<p>Just wondering - how far away is the Zoo and how accessible is it to students (ie, discounts, etc)?</p>
<p>I just had a sudden vision of me hanging by a panda cage during lunch.</p>
<p>The zoo offers free admission to all Rice students, but it doesn't have any (giant) pandas.</p>
<p>Awesome!!!!</p>
<p>We used to live in West U - fabulous neighborhood - the reason crime is so low is <em>because</em> of those cops patrolling. I left my garage door up (accidentally) all the time but nothing ever happened. </p>
<p>Like others have said, the area surrounding Rice is beautiful and full of well cared for homes. The area is its own little haven right in the 4th largest US city. If/when we move back to Houston, we'll definitely relocate to that area.</p>
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Unfortunately, Mimi left last year.
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<p>Ohhhh, lame. I love Mimi.</p>
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the Zoo
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<p>Yeah, speaking of lame...</p>
<p>The zoo is right there in Hermann Park, so it's well within walking distance, but if you're from San Diego or Dallas or DC or Milwaukee or something, you're going to be disappointed.</p>
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</p>
<p>But it's free!</p>
<p>What do you mean by RUPD has a little TOO much free time at night, silentsailor? Have you ever run into problems with them at night?</p>
<p>By the way, the neighborhood around Rice is extremely safe. Police patrolling all the time, night escorts if you feel you need it, those emergency blue lights everywhere (if you're in trouble you press one and the cops show up within seconds, literally). </p>
<p>I've gone running at night with my roommate around Herman Park (I'm talking past midnight) and yes there are homeless people sleeping here and there, but that's about the worst thing. Rice IS in an urban setting, after all (even though you wouldn't know it by being on campus.)</p>