Despite the popular belief that theft originated in Odesa, the days of "Sonka the Golden Pen" are long gone. Today, the city looks more like a typical European metropolis, and the level of security has increased dramatically.
The most dangerous neighborhoods
If we talk about the most dangerous neighborhoods in Odessa, they are Primorsky, Kievsky and Malinovsky. This is where you can most often encounter theft of cars or personal valuables.
A word of advice: when you arrive in Odesa try to behave modestly and do not stand out from the general mass of travelers. All valuables are best left in the safe of the hotel in Odesa where you are staying.
