Autistic and planning to visit dallas by myself
Posted by Muted-Care7194@reddit | askdfw | View on Reddit | 23 comments
So im planning on visiting dallas by myself and was wondering if there were any places I should avoid? Specificly areas with high rates of voilent crime?
With my autism I make a pretty easy mark for people with less then good intentions. I also have a tendency to zone out and wander.
So, part of my prep is to make sure I know exactly were to avoid. So streets and Specific areas to map out in order to avoid would be very welcome.
kimianna@reddit
What are you wanting to go do? Plan everything out. Stay out of oak cliff. Stay in after dark since you don’t know the area. Do not NOT engage with homeless. They will take you for everything you are worth. If you stay downtown or uptown, DO NOT GO OUTSIDE AFTER DARK ALONE. The bums will eat you for breakfast. Stay IN after dark. Stay in a NICE HOTEL. NO BARGAINS!!! METH IS EVERYWHERE. And those people are DESPERATE and CONNIVING…. Do not tell people you are autistic. If you need anything you call me. I work at Postnet on Inwood road my name is Kim. 9722392112.
texaskittyqueen@reddit
"stay out of oak cliff" and oak cliff is the area where bishop arts is.....
this entire comment is so so so dramatic. Dallas is not nearly as scary as you are making this.
And dropping your name and phone number on a public forum makes YOU seem like the predator trying to lure a person who is vulnerable. OP do not speak to this weirdo please.
2shitsshots@reddit
You mustve been in the west end of cockrell where they call it oc still, but my sister lives in south oak cliff and she says it bad, i live in the south dallas part and used to be in groveside, gang violence is bad here, i know 14 ppl who have died from gang violence, and 12 of them wasnt even 18 yet, and along jefferson where tourists still go is still bad, hispanics and black ppl make up the southside, the ppl 40+ be chill but 20 yr olds and the teens still have a big problem with gang violence, yesterday my cousin was shot 6 times and tdy someone i know js died from gun violence, its still bad, but if u stay away from the area your good
texaskittyqueen@reddit
I'd consider the part of south dallas you're talking about to be true south dallas/pleasant grove, no longer OC
Goldmagnolias@reddit
Places I wouldn’t recommend:
Anywhere downtown proper, Deep Ellum, Vickery Meadows, Forest/Audelia, Fair Park or Pleasant Grove.
Not because I find it all of them super dangerous (except Vickery Meadows… and it’s N Dallas) but it’s too easy to stumble upon some craziness. There are also “safe” areas that I personally avoid at night like Katy Trail.
Unless your are going southeast Oak Cliff, OC is not dangerous as a whole. It’s just poor and carries an old stigma.
But outside of crime and telling you where you shouldn’t go, do you have anything particular you’re hoping to see? Dallas is pretty big and if you’re not renting a car, can get pricy if you stay to far.
texaskittyqueen@reddit
Downtown and Deep Ellum are perfectly fine in the day time, as are Forest/Audelia.
Goldmagnolias@reddit
I didn’t say they were dangerous (I live downtown). I said it’s easy to stumble into some craziness.
OP mentioned being a wanderer and you can easily wander over to the bus hub downtown or two blocks away from DE into homeless camps.
I wrote this thru the lens of if my autistic younger sibling was wanting to visit a place, where would I be OK dropping them off alone.
2shitsshots@reddit
Areas you shouldnt go are south, east and south western, specifically Oak cliff, South dallas, The grove, and cedar crest, they have some cool spots but its still dangerous and known for gang violence, i know ppl that have been killed in south dallas its gets bad, and North dallas and down town are definitely safe, some ppl say forest ln is bad but it isnt, back them sure, although the oak cliff and groveside have the best authentic food if u do go js be quick and stay on the main roads, jefferson blvd has cool spots for food too but still in that oak cliff area
custardisnotfood@reddit
As a disclaimer, Dallas is generally pretty safe. It’s not like there’s anywhere in town where you’ll get robbed on sight, nor are there any famously bad neighborhoods like Southside Chicago or Compton. That being said, given that you mention being autistic and having trouble with this sort of thing, here are a couple recommendations:
In general, stay on the north side of the city. Bishop Arts to the south is pretty safe too, but if you go there stay within a block or two of Bishop Avenue between Davis and Ninth.
Deep Ellum and Downtown have some cool stuff to see, but can also sometimes be sketchy, especially late at night. I wouldn’t say you have to avoid those places entirely, as downtown has some neat attractions and museums, but definitely use some caution. Especially if you are oblivious to signs of danger.
Uptown, Lower Greenville, University Park, Highland Park, and the northern part of White Rock Lake are all places that are extremely safe to wander around in by yourself. Although the police in Highland Park are notorious for being suspicious of people who they think are acting weird.
2shitsshots@reddit
Definitely not, dont listen to this guy for your safety, i definitely dont recommend going anywhere near the south, east, and maybe not the west, If u see cool places in oak cliff around jefferson thats js made to seem nice, its still bad, Dallas is definitely known for gang violence like chicago, and Dallas has a worst violent crime rate than chicago
texaskittyqueen@reddit
This is the answer.
40kmaniacs@reddit
I would avoid the area around Elm St and Houston, a guy got shot to death in broad daylight and they never caught the perp.
Bec21-21@reddit
White Rock Lake is beautiful and a great place to wander. There is a walking and cycling path that runs around the lake (10 miles) and all the way round the Lake is very safe - I walk my dog there daily.
It’s starting to get hot so wear sunscreen and bring water. It’s a lovely spot for a picnic too.
roccosito@reddit
Just don’t go to South Dallas on your own by foot or even really by car at night. Nothing really there for you
Barfignugen@reddit
As someone else on the spectrum, I never know what answers people are looking for here. Like there are no “neurotypical only” spaces in Dallas. Nor are there any areas I’d say to avoid because they’re more dangerous for autistic people specifically. It’s just a typical city, like any other. You’ll be fine.
cadavercollins@reddit
Any place that doesn't look gentrified and cute in oakcliff, South dallas/fair park area (dolphin rd., Hatcher, Second, etc.) it's worth mentioning that I've never had an issue there, and also Far North Dallas, beginning at like the Harry Hines/Parkland hospital area... although you'll miss out on great wholesale shops for everything from lighting to fashion, like Sam Moon). The West End, near the grassy knoll of Kennedy's assassination, can be rough from the greyhound station to the Dart station a few blocks down, but only if you're on foot The Dallas Museum of Art, The Crow Asian Museum, Klyde Warren Park with it'scool spaces and food trucks. I've lived here my whole life mostly, and my best advice is to walk fast, keep your head up and on a swivel, pay attention and don't do anything or go anywhere if your intuition warns against it. Try to avoid being our past dark, don't get accosted by anyone asking for miney or trying to stop your stride. Im also an autistic woman, and this is how i handle myself. Didn't mean to write so much, i just wanted to show the good and bad of each area i mentioned. It's a big city, ya know? Go during the day and avoid risky looking or feeling situations.
Tejanisima@reddit
For future reference, "Far North Dallas" means the part sandwiched between Richardson and Addison, and points north, such as that corridor serviced by the Dallas North Tollway and by 75 / Central Expressway. The area around Parkland / Harry Hines area is plain part of North Dallas, more specifically Northwest Dallas.
QuoVadisLittleYogi@reddit
Do you like museums? It’s probably the one of the safest places to wander. Or if you would like to do a day of museums there’s a handful of good ones in Dallas. Maybe you could go to museums and eat in the park. Near Klyde Warren Park: • DMA (Dallas Museum of Art) • Nasher Sculpture Center • Crow Museum of Asian Art
In another part of town there’s: • Dallas Human Rights Museum • The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza I wouldn’t recommend wandering around far out in this area though. I’ve never experienced anything dangerous myself, but I’ve learned quite a bit about a president that didn’t make it out of this area safely.
If you just want one place to wander inside for hours: • Perot Museum is a nature and science museum.
I don’t know if you’re looking for places that are specifically free. Maybe the mall, the parks, or even a place like the Half Price Books flagship store would be nice. I hope this helped!
dogepope@reddit
just avoid deep ellum mostly. you can go in the day if you want to but you might as well just avoid it entirely. i would def avoid it at night. it's not terrible per se, but i'd say it's probably the only place in actual dallas proper you'd need to watch out, that you might stumble onto as a tourist
kimianna@reddit
No hate to my wonderful dallas addicts, man, but ya’ll can be something else sometimes, IYKYK. Ya’ll behave out there….
Reasonable-Star-9103@reddit
Avoid Harry Hines area!
Reasonable-Star-9103@reddit
Avoid deep ellum; Dallas isn’t the most walkable city there are pockets; don’t think u can cut thru neighborhoods walking do not.
Safe; Lower Greenville walk around good area for food and a nice day by truckyard. You can walk up and down that street but when the buildings and area don’t seem as nice stop.
Uptown by klyde Warren park is cool I’d walk towards Haywire or the ACC from the park. I would not walk toward Dallas museum of art as homeless population increases. I’d uber in the fine arts district.
Bishop Arts has a ton of cool shops and food. Place to start Paradiso in Bishop Arts and walk that main drag if it’s nice there’s a few side streets but again be aware when it switches to neighborhoods and away from cute shops
The malls here are nice!
Do not leave stuff in car windows and just be more mindful in the city! You’ll have fun!
Pumpkinbutt42O@reddit
Violent crime isn’t necessarily a huge issue here but I’d avoid deep ellum and downtown if you’re super timid.