Summerset Lane?

"What is the safest road in Negril to stay on? I'd like to know. "
Good question Lola! Anyone want to chime in on this?

Lola...you've visited here yourself for extended periods...and you know common sense applies whether you're walking or driving around anywhere...a well-lit, active road is always better for anyone than an ill-lit, inactive road.

I would rather caution someone about potential dangers that may actually effect them & have those upset at me for saying it...than have someone running around without a clue. As has already been said...most likely everyone will be perfectly fine!!

I am not sure why this has become such a strange thread, but common sense does dictate the realities regarding safety. A simple comparison using an example already brought up earlier may shed some light on the situation.

Seastar Lane has an active business at the bottom of the lane on one side and a long time resident living across the lane from the business. There is a street light at the intersection with the West End Road providing light in this area. As you head up the lane, you will see street lights about every 200-300 feet or so. There are many apartment style residences that have their tenants sitting on the verandas, doing their laundry, keeping their yards clean, etc. There are little kids running around the lane and there are sleeping police (speed bumps) to slow the drivers down to a reasonable pace for the kids safety. There are single family homes as well along the lane and then you will arrive at Seastar Inn.

On Summerset Road today you have the same type street light at the intersection with the West End Road, with a business on both sides of the road. As you head down the road, you will encounter Bella Donna's on the left, but then after that there are no working streetlights and there are overgrown open area's that used to be thriving businesses, now in a state of decay. And while it is one of the few roads with a sidewalk in Negril, you will notice that even the sidewalks are becoming overgrown. You will walk a ways further and will notice two walled off properties on either side of the road, with walls high enough so they do not allow anyone to see in, and obviously allows no one to see out either. As you pass these properties you arrive at Summerset Village.

If you are talking about safety while walking both roads, common sense dictates that the one with an active neighborhood with streetlights, where the residents are visible and able to watch the comings and goings of others at all hours of the day and night would be the safest of the two.

There is no one here trying to state anything other than their opinion as they know it. But it should be remembered that basing your opinion on only the relatively short time you are visiting Negril during busy season, be it a week or several months, can lead to a possible erroneous take on the situation during slow season. Businesses that may be open during busy season may be closed during the slow times. What may seem like a safe thing to do when it is busy might be a rather bad idea when things are slow. This is true of any seasonal tourist area worldwide.

Summerset Village is and has been a decent, affordable place to stay in Negril for years, but it is rather sad that the neighborhood there has fallen on such hard times. Negrilaholic, if you take the words of caution seriously and follow the advice that has been given by the posters in this thread - as everyone has stated you should be just fine.

The Words COMMON SENSE should apply to where ever you are in the world, always be aware of whats around you,

unfortunately neighborhoods change with the times for both the good and the bad. I remember years back when SeaStar lane was "questionable" and now it is respectable and well traveled.

As in any neighborhood use common sense when walking about and use a taxi at night. Enjoy your trip and take lots of pictures to share when you get back.

Dem seh di city will neva change
And, things will neva rearrange
But, mi nah nuh change a change


http://youtu.be/a9H4WAs8kmk

Rob wrote:

Quote:

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What may seem like a safe thing to do when it is busy might be a rather bad idea when things are slow.

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THIS!!!!! is a major key point. A couple years ago when I stayed on Westland Mtn Rd, during high season, I would sometimes walk that lane at night, even very late at night, and there were often other residents walking too. But once low season came around, I was not on it after dark, no matter how early it was. Same thing with the lane I stay on now. Sometimes its a yes, and sometimes, its a no. Depends on lighting (which changes), height of the bush around it, how many other residents/visitors are in the neighborhood, etc. What you can do one year you may not be able to do the next, and vice versa. Things change.

If there were any doubts about an area, I sure as heck wouldn't stay there. Can you imagine something happening and having to go back and read all the warnings people gave you? Pure foolishness in my opinion.

We stayed at Summerset Village in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and at Devine Destiny in 1999 and 2000. Things were a lot different back then. And we had sooooo much fun at Horselips! I never worried about walking Summerset Road at night. Everybody knew that my hubby had been in the US army (they called him soldier) and were always respectful toward me. But being in a group or with a friend is best.

I would not walk the road at night anymore. I agree, it's sad to see how the neighborhood has changed over the years.