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Original poster

Would you walk home from the station alone at midnight?

150 replies

Pamsresearch · 16/12/2021 13:02

It's about 15 mins along a main road. Not particularly nice area, skirts the edge of a council estate and large construction site.

I do it about once a month, but have learned not to tell anyone for all the lectures I get!

I refuse to restrict my life because of the behaviour of (a few) others. A taxi is not always available and even if it were, it costs money and actually, I feel safer walking than I do in some mini cabs.

Am I really in that much of a minority?

OP posts:
Bigbum56 · 16/12/2021 14:24

I would but I'd get to the other end asap.

daisypond · 16/12/2021 14:27

I would and do. However, I think it depends on how well lit the area is or if there are people nearby. In my neck of the woods, there are generally some people about anyway. I sometimes finish work at midnight and I walk to the station to catch the train and then walk home from the station at the other end.

pizzaobsessed · 16/12/2021 14:37

Absolutely not. For me, it's not about the statistics of something happening, it's about not putting myself in the position for it to happen, it's a risk I'm not willing to take.
Yes, you shouldn't have to alter your behaviour/decisions for a small number of weirdos but I'd rather do that than my family lose me or I have to deal with the aftermath of a rape or attack of some other kind.

HollowTalk · 16/12/2021 14:39

@PiesNotGuys

I would be fine with it. I walked home from my city centre job last night after finishing at 10pm. Four miles ish through different areas, main roads, canal paths, fields, alleys, parks.

If you are in the minority I’ll join you

I wouldn't walk on canal paths or through fields, alleys or parks when it's dark and late at night!
colouringindoors · 16/12/2021 14:41

I would, in sensible shoes. Risk is actually very small. Sadly women are most in danger in their own homes from a partner or ex.

rattlemehearties · 16/12/2021 14:44

Yes I would in a well populated area and I have been known to do so in my city.

VienneseWhirligig · 16/12/2021 14:45

I would, I live in a city with a high amount of knife crime but its mainly gang related and in the city centre. I would walk home in the conditions you describe.

HangingOutWithTheSandman · 16/12/2021 14:49

I have done years ago, but I wouldn’t now. I wouldn’t want my kids to do it either, I always say get an uber, taxi or call me to collect you. It’s quite depressing that I feel that way.

Sunshineandflipflops · 16/12/2021 14:49

No, I wouldn't. I was walking home late at night years ago with a friend on the outskirts of a busy city and we were followed home, mugged and threatened with a gun to go with him.

We managed to get away and to safety, he was eventually caught and in court we found out that he ad done the same to other women but they hadn't managed to get away and had been raped.

So no, it might not happen to you and no, not all men and all that but I never thought it would happen to me either and I was with someone else in a well lit, busy area. I just don't know why anyone would take that risk when there are safer ways to get home. It's not worth it over principles. Of course we 'should' be safe to walk home at night but sadly, time and time again we are reminded that we are not.

Plantstrees · 16/12/2021 14:56

No I wouldn't. I don't like walking anywhere after dark unless its really busy like a shopping centre before the shops close.

TangfasticsAreFantastic · 16/12/2021 14:57

I used to live in a London suburb and was a 5 min walk from my nearest tube station, but along very quiet residential roads.

I wasn't comfortable doing that walk when it was really late at night, so I'd get off the tube a stop earlier, which was a busy stop with lots of people and a black cab taxi rank and get a taxi home! Used to cost me £5, but worth it for the peace of mind to me.

Lykia · 16/12/2021 14:58

It depends on the area. I wouldn't walk. There is a train station a 10 minute walk away and if it's dark I'll ask dh to pick me up or I'll drive to the station and park up so that my car is there for me to get home - even if it means not drinking on a night out. Taxis are scare.

I no longer walk anywhere after dark. I used to when I was younger however I don't live in a salubrious area. If I did I would consider it.

vampirestockingfiller · 16/12/2021 14:59

Yes, I live on the council estate Grin

TuftyMarmoset · 16/12/2021 15:01

There’s a station 2 mins from my house and another about 20 mins away along the same road. I walk home from the near one but get a taxi from the further one. I think it’s safe but I just cba at that time of night.

Rainbowshit · 16/12/2021 15:02

I wouldn't do the walk you describe.

i do walk home from the station nearest me as it's about 3 minutes walk along a well lit main road. I wouldn't walk from the station at my previous house as 15 mins walk and not well lit enough along the side of a golf course and wood.

gogohm · 16/12/2021 15:05

Always did when I lived in the city. No need now as I either drive or bus stops outside

Deathraystare · 16/12/2021 15:06

Depends on area. Sometimes it is just not worth the worry. However I am quite happy to walk about at night, though I live i London so am well blessed with buses (including night buses) . It is getting taxis alone that would worry me!!!

randomsabreuse · 16/12/2021 15:13

I would because it feels safer than hanging around a lonely station at that time of day, especially if not every night. Would be aware of who else got off the train with me too.

fournonblondes · 16/12/2021 15:17

I would not do it. No way. This is of course your choice but being brave does not stop rapists and thieves from the streets late at night.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 16/12/2021 15:18

Yes. I walk home from work a lot at 2/3am from the train station.

Not getting a taxi every day.

ProcrastinationIsMySuperPower · 16/12/2021 15:31

I frequently have to walk home late at night or early hours from the station, because I'm a shift worker and I don't drive.
I always stick to well lit main roads. Generally I see almost no one, but I live in a small semi rural town and it's dead once the pubs are all shut.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 16/12/2021 15:43

Yes definitely. In fact, I did last night, much to DHs annoyance. Same as you, I'm not going to change the habit of a lifetime

Sunshineandflipflops · 16/12/2021 15:44

It's one of those things that unless/until it happens to you , you don't see it as a particularly risky activity ("I've done it loads and have always been fine"). It just takes once to change that mindset. Hopefully nothing bad will happen to anyone here walking home alone late at night but statistics tell us otherwise unfortunately and being one of those statistics makes it a much more risky activity to me.
I'd love to go walking/running in the dark and i definitely feel I SHOULD be able to but that itself doesn't make it safe.

Peakedtoosoon · 16/12/2021 15:46

@Sunshineandflipflops

It's one of those things that unless/until it happens to you , you don't see it as a particularly risky activity ("I've done it loads and have always been fine"). It just takes once to change that mindset. Hopefully nothing bad will happen to anyone here walking home alone late at night but statistics tell us otherwise unfortunately and being one of those statistics makes it a much more risky activity to me. I'd love to go walking/running in the dark and i definitely feel I SHOULD be able to but that itself doesn't make it safe.
"Statistics" are a reason to think it will be fine. The actual odds of it happening to any one person are minute.
peachpearplum01 · 16/12/2021 15:48

Yes I do this all the time along a main road - slightly shorter journey but absolutely would do a longer walk too.