A couple of good safety tips for those of you who are moving to California on your own for the first time...
Do not open the door of your apartment when someone knocks if you are not expecting company. That was the first thing that our former manager Esperanza told me when I moved into this apartment, she said to lock the door and do not open it unless I am expecting company. You can avoid a lot of drama by not opening the door, and it might even save your life.
Do not let strangers into your apartment for any reason. When I first moved in it was a hot summer night, and I was listening to music out on my balcony, drinking beer, and I was loving my new apartment, and a beautiful woman walked by under my balcony, and so we talked, and she wanted to come up to my apartment, and I had to tell her "No." She was beautiful, but I do not allow strangers into my apartment. She could have been mentally ill. She could have said that I tried to rape her. You just never know. Plus people steal, I let a guy use my bathroom once and he stole my expensive cologne. Do not let strangers into your apartment.
Also, your home is your castle. You need to feel safe and comfortable in your home. Your home is your sanctuary. Do not let anyone be abusive to you in any way in your own home, make them leave and do not allow them into your home. It is your home, you need to feel safe in your home. No one should be allowed to abuse you in your own home, make them leave and do not invite them into your home. And in Florida you can shoot someone with a gun if they threaten your safety in your own home, and it should be that way everywhere.
You need to be safe at home, and you need to be able to enjoy your home. I have lived in a lot of bad neighborhoods, and I have survived from being smart and by not opening the door when strangers come unannounced, and by not allowing strangers into my apartment.
Also, if a woman is married, you should not be alone with her in your apartment, or if she has a boyfriend. You do not want people to get the wrong idea. You have to avoid inappropriate situations.
It is great to have your own apartment in Southern California, but for those of you who are on your own for the first time then you need to be careful and you need to take precautions.
Salute,
Tony V.