<p>As S does not drive, he plans to do a lot of traveling around Rice by foot, bike, or skates. This will include going through Hermann Park, going to Memorial Park, going to the hospitals, probably going to the U of H and just other general exploration. </p>
<p>He is not terribly street wise, but not ignorant either.</p>
<p>Is getting to these areas and spending time in these areas generally safe? I looked at the crime stats that included U of H and while I don't know the street names, etc... it didn't like it was probably a very safe area. I think it's only about 2 miles away though from Rice, isn't it?</p>
<p>I also read somewhere else that apparently Rice gives free passes for use of the light rail system... does anyone actually use this and does it go anywhere useful? Is the bus system painfully inadequate/inefficient? When he did a google search for getting to the climbing gym 11 miles away, it looked like it was going to take 1.5 hours to get there by bus. Don't know how accurate that estimate was.</p>
<p>S is strongly considering Rice and so as a mom... I need to check these things out :-).</p>
<p>I’ve lived in the general Rice area for over 20 years and have a son who recently graduated from Rice. For the most part, Rice is located in an upscale area, which is very safe. As with any city, however, there are certainly areas to avoid and the need to be aware of your surroundings. I suggest he travel with others until he gets a sense of the area. This will be very easy after O-Week, as he will have made lots of friends, including upperclassmen who can fill him in.</p>
<p>I have another son who is a student at Wash U, and I certainly worry more about him and the area around that campus than I ever did with my son at Rice.</p>
<p>You know, I hate to mention this but a med school student was robbed at gunpoint on the Greenbriar lot on April 2nd. That info is not mentioned as far as I can tell on the RUPD web page. I personally think the university could do a better job of communicating incidents like these to make everyone aware. I’m sure the students are informed, but as a parent I would really like to be informed of a crime like that.</p>
<p>Rice itself is very safe compared to any other school I researched when making my decision. Houston, however, is still a big city so caution should be taken until familiar with areas of travel. Still, the places you mentioned aren’t very dangerous to my knowledge especially if traveling with somebody (though not necessary). I have used the light rail to go eat out and there are plenty of tasty places off the light rain and will use it to get to my apartment when I am living off campus The zoo is in walking distance along with all of Houston’s museums (museum district is where Rice is located). UH is in a less safe area. </p>
<p>Regarding that incident mentioned above. It did happen but it actually really shocked everybody here. These things just don’t happen here based on what all upperclassmen have said. It is an isolated incident and RUPD did respond very well. They sent out an email telling everybody about the incident and made extra rounds looking for the man. This is not the norm here. We have a very low crime rate on campus and most of the crime that happens is near the very edges of Rice. The city is the same story as any city of this size. I would not be overly concerned at all.</p>
<p>@blackeyedsusan - Hailing from St. Louis, I can reassure you that WUSTL is in a very safe area. It’s near the city, yes, but it’s still in the suburbs, and the area it’s in, Clayton, is one of the most affluent in the metropolitan area. As long as he doesn’t travel downtown alone he’ll be fine. The Delmar Loop, Plaza Frontenac, etc are all very safe and very upscale areas.</p>
<p>I use the light rail a good amount. Yes, it is true we get free METRO card passes. I find it is pretty convenient as it can take you downtown to go shopping or for some food. I don’t usually go out at night, but when I do it is with at least one friend. The METRO rail feels relatively safe at night. The METRO bus, however, is shady and I have refrained from using it. </p>
<p>I agree with everyone else that Rice is a rather safe campus and violent crimes are rarely heard of. However, from reports in the school newspaper, there are usually about 5-6 reports of theft a week. Many of these thefts may be for bicycles, which would most likely occur away from other people.</p>
<p>I disagree about the metro buses being shady or unsafe. They are city buses and they seem pretty similar to the buses I have seen in all the other cities I have travelled to. Sure there are some interesting characters on them, but I have never felt unsafe. I don’t take them at night by myself though, but that is just a general rule for me with any kind of transportation. I feel that people at Rice do have this “shady” perception of them, not sure why and not sure how many people have actually taken them before coming to this conclusion.</p>
<p>I especially like to take the bus to the airport. There used to be a quick direct bus to IAH but it got shut down so the one now takes a little while but I find it to be much better than paying a lot for a cab or supershuttle or bothering other people to drive me.</p>
<p>I also don’t find the Metro Bus system shady. It’s just like a bus system you’d find anywhere else, only maybe a tad less efficient. I’ve taken them out to the further suburbs (Katy), to & from the airport, etc. The medical center and Hermann Park are literally right across the street - it’s not a lengthy or dangerous commute at all. The light rail system is definitely used to get downtown (even by students with cars, because you typically have to pay for parking downtown) and I’ve never felt unsafe on it, even at night. I’ve also never felt the slightest bit unsafe on campus - even while running at night. The surrounding neighborhood recently won something like “best quality of life” out of the entire Southern US - not to terrorize any parents here, but I’ve had more friends than I can count on one hand wander outside of campus on foot while blackout drunk, and they’ve all been safe.</p>
<p>It’s also very, very easy to make friends who have cars. As a student with a car, I’ve given my generous share of rides! About the climbing gym in particular: our Outdoors Club does regular trips out to the center on Fridays!</p>
<p>My D uses both the light rail and the bus systems to get to various off campus activities. She said she finds it safe and convenient (of course, her comparison is the NYC subway).</p>
<p>She and her friends have also rented “zipcars” on occassion to get places. I think they cost $20/hour.</p>
<p>These things happen in a city. In the past, RUPD has sent out emails/notifications regarding campus incidences. Usually the police chief would give a summary of the event and remind everyone to be aware of their surroundings.</p>