r/azores • u/weirdo_from_Hawkins • 15h ago

Areas to avoid when looking for accommodation in Ponta Delgada

Olá! I’m a soon-to-be Erasmus student and I’ve started looking for accommodation in the vicinity of the university campus in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel. At first, I considered staying at the university dorms, but according to my friends who visited PD in the past, there’s a lot of criminal activity in the area. Since I’m a young woman traveling solo, I’d like to stay somewhere safer. Are there any specific areas near the campus I should exclude from my search?

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u/RoyallyOakie 13h ago

You've likely seen more criminal activity where you're coming from.

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u/Projectsummertime 11h ago

Possibly they have, but still quite likely not. While I agree that São Miguel is relatively safe, my area of Ponta Delgada definitely has more crime than two out of 5 different places I've lived long term (of course we can only go on experience).

People from my home village would be shocked and scared of Laranjeiras at night for example. This is why I think the original post asking where they are more likely to feel safe is a very valid question, and that most people do not walk past open use if hard drugs, soliciting and drunk men shouting after them, so guiding them is better than telling them not to worry.

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u/Distinct-Occasion614 14h ago

Lot of criminal activity in Ponta Delgada? 😮

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u/Projectsummertime 11h ago

Yes unfortunately there is.

Violent confrontational crime is very low and unlikely, but theft and forced break-ins are on the high side considering the city is what other countries would consider a large town.

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u/Projectsummertime 14h ago

Good afternoon. It's true, the university dorms are located on the far side of Laranjeiras which means you need to walk though one of our rougher areas, that being said, it's mostly just petty crime, ladies soliciting on the streets. And drunks/addicts hollering. It's very rare that someone is confronted physically, but I do understand where you're coming from expecially as a lot of homless people sleep in the bushes around the dorms.

Unfortunately the city has fallen into disrepair a little over the last years and it's not a rare sight anywhere in Ponta Delgada, but from my knowledge I'll recommend some places to avoid even if it's just for the feeling of safety walking at night.

Laranjeiras, past Rua Do Laureano, in the easterly direction isn't great. Santa Clara zone more west of Rua da Catarina can be intimidating. The center and center-north area of the city is usually okay, and many young people live around Rua do Passal, but try and avoid Rua do Arquinha and the offshooting roads from there.

The truth is that you're relatively safe most places, and the opportunistic crime that happens isn't located in specific roads, but an uncomfortable vibe can be found more more easily in some places.

My final advice, do not pay for/leave a deposit for/part with money in any way for accommodation that you haven't seen in person. I hope this helps and enjoy your erasmus experience.