54 Women Spill Their Fun, Weird, and Genius Tips for Living Alone Safely

Don’t just hide inside! Take yourself on adventures - even if it’s just a stroll or grabbing coffee. Bonus: less lonely vibes and a little fresh air never hurt anyone.

Try hitting up 1-2 events a week you've never tried - from jazz gigs to bike rides. You’ll meet fun folks, make friends, and might discover a hobby you didn’t know you loved. Win-win.

Leave a spare key with a trusted friend. And call a buddy during your daily "enrichment walks" - that’s what these ladies call it - texting pics of cool finds. Plus, binge-watching movies while texting friends? Classic solo win.

Living on the second floor or higher feels a bit safer. Why? Less chance of uninvited guests dropping by. Chicago isn’t the wild west, but it doesn’t hurt to be smart.

Sure, you might not NEED them, but those door bars (you know, the pole under the doorknob) give super cozy peace of mind. Bonus: great for when maintenance drops by and you're mid-shower or mid-nap.

Don’t cheap out on rent just to live somewhere sketchy. A little extra on rent = way more peace of mind. Also, don’t spill your solo living secrets like candy to every stranger. And hey, Target trips count as social outings!

Make your place your happy spot. Walk neighborhoods on garbage day for quirky second-hand treasure hunting (hello, velvet couch!). And remember: you’re not obligated to chat with every random dude on the street - say no and keep strutting.

Got a giant, gentle pup? Their bark is basically a personal alarm system that’ll scare off creepy characters and let you roam wild at all hours.

Home workout? Check. Arts and crafts? Check. Hosting game nights? Double check. Living alone means you’re the boss; enjoy every weird and wonderful minute of it!

Knowing your neighbors feels like having a safety squad. You’ll watch out for each other, and that’s priceless when you’re rocking solo living.

Seek out buildings with locked front and back doors - a little fortress vibe! Deadbolts on both doors add extra ‘hey, not today’ energy. Then get outside for a walk or hobby to keep your solo spirits high.

Say hello to neighbors - it’s like insurance you didn’t buy. Also, don’t get phone-happy while walking or on platforms. Bonus: Dogs add that extra safety swag.

Sign up for easy solo activities (trivia, run clubs). People + routine = less scary solo nights. And that door jammer? It’s a tiny hero blocking surprises at night.

Skip that risky nighttime train ride. Wander cool areas like Wicker Park and Logan Square. Thrift dive, coffee hop, and check out bookstores. It’s fun and lowers solo living jitters.

Even if you’re in a secure building, lock that door every time you step out. Plus, eyes on that peephole - it’s like superhero vision before door opening.

Keep prying eyes out with net curtains and blinds. Bonus: your home’s mysterious noises? Know them so well you could write a spooky soundtrack.

Pick a place near lively streets. People around means fewer unwanted visitors sneaking in behind you. First-floor living can get noisy with strangers, so think twice!

Fellas you meet don’t need your exact address, just your neighborhood. Think of it as keeping the mystery alive - and your safety, intact.

Order food or deliveries using fake initials or skip your apartment number. Uber? Tell ‘em you’re visiting a friend. Hello, ninja moves!

Keep your guard up. Not everyone is as sweet as they seem. Stay open to fun, but keep that radar sharp.

Taking a ride? Snap a pic of the cab number or driver info and send it to a buddy. Overkill? Maybe. Safe and sound? Definitely.

A 24/7 doorman is like having your own superhero. If you can swing it, it’s a cool way to sleep easy knowing someone’s got your back (and your door).

Stick a dowel rod in sliding door tracks, lock windows, take a self-defense class, and invest in smart stuff like Ring doorbells. Bonus: libraries and parks are free adventure zones!

Keep favorite scents, a nightlight, your comfiest pillow, and a fan for noise. Music or candles make cleaning less boring. Make your place so delightful people won’t want to leave (or maybe they’ll just want to visit!).

Don’t get too predictable. Who knows who’s watching? Keep ‘em guessing and keep yourself safer.

Find what lights you up and dive in. It’s the cheat code for meeting cool, like-minded people. Plus, you’ll have a blast.

Doorman buildings make you feel like royalty and safety bundled into one. Plus, if sketchy stuff happens, you’ve got someone around to help.

Don’t be shy! Going solo to eateries or bars is scary at first but then it’s just… fun. Stay aware, use headphones that leave ears open, and sneak in a man’s name for deliveries. Safety + style!

Seriously, ditch those earbuds when you’re out and about. You want to hear all the things - like awesome vibes or sneaky strangers.

Place little stacks of things that fall easily near vulnerable spots. When something’s up, you’ll hear the ruckus - instant intruder alert!

A good pup beats loneliness and makes you step outside regularly. Not up for a forever fur friend? Try fostering - fun without full-time boss duties.

Pop a dowel in that window track for badass security and level up with kickboxing or jiu-jitsu. Confidence boost + safety? Yes, please.

Invest in a good alarm system and use a door wedge for that extra hello-there barrier. Easy and effective!

No opening doors if you hear other people around. Be the neighborhood watch’s MVP by noticing new faces. And, learn your home’s noises like a pro spookologist so nothing catches you off guard.

Got a sweet dog who’s more teddy bear than guard dog? Doesn’t matter. Big guys tend to cross the street when they see that 45lb fluffball - you’ve got street cred!

Leave a pair of old men’s work boots by the door - it yells “I’m not home alone,” and keeps the creepers away. Sneaky wins!

Pop one on your door at night to keep landlords or midnight visitors at bay. It’s like your own tiny fortress.

Save yourself hassle and skip ground-level apartments or condos. It’s a safety gamble you don’t want to play.

Buy a self-install alarm kit, slap on sensors, get a Ring doorbell, and stock up on pepper spray. The combo’s like a personal security team that fits in your purse.

Wave, smile, share cookies - do what it takes to be that friendly face on the block. They’ve got your back like an extra security blanket.

Blast your favorite tunes, walk around naked (yes, really), and keep those blinds shut. Just hide those toys before any surprise guests show up!

Yep, going alone to places feels weird at first. But keep at it and you’ll start to find new friends and new fun spots. Promise.

Know when to stay put to save your parking spot vs. when a quick delivery makes more sense. Little choices like this add up!

Seriously, cats make everything better. Bonus points: they’re low maintenance and provide endless entertainment.

Only your last name or initial on the mailbox. And soak up all the me-time - read, play music, garden, repeat. Your solo kingdom awaits!

Put some old dude shoes near your door to fool maintenance into thinking a ‘man of the house’ is around. Mostly just fun, but hey, it could help!

Once you’ve lived in a doorman building, there’s no going back. It’s like having a friendly neighborhood watchperson who’s always on duty.

Bells on doors, door jammers, buddy tracking apps, good playlists, keeping your comings and goings mysterious, knowing your neighbors, and good vibes from your neighborhood. Got it? You’re basically a safety superstar.

Take martial arts, learn to shoot, don’t be predictable with your routines, lock everything, and have invisible safety signals with friends. Basically, become a solo living ninja.

Double lock those doors and windows. Bonus: your furry pals will sound the alarm if anything weird happens. Plus, cuddles!

Pitbulls are great protectors, and while true crime stories are wild, home invasions are rarer these days. Still, lock the windows; better safe than spooky.

Avoid street-level living. Buildings where you buzz in and use elevators are the real MVPs. Deadbolts are a must-have sidekick.

Take care of some garden flowers, have some reliable gear (yes, including glocks), outdoor cameras, and lights. And don’t live in fear - life’s an adventure!

Lock your bedroom, learn some self-defense, keep a handy weapon nearby, have secret help code words, and use tracking apps. It’s your secret superhero kit.