I have a studio in Lavapies, and I really like it, but I don't go there at night, since I work in the day. It can be dicey, my model, an ex-security guard (female) got her purse ripped off by a Maroqui guy by sneaking up behind her and grabbing her hair from behind. Unfortunately this was at 5pm and none of those around helped her! I have heard there is a small band of Neo-Nazis who make a Lavapies bar their headquarters, but I have never seen them.
This is not meant to freak you out! Lavapies is also a wonderful, multi-cultural, and old barrio, with abuleas and nińos roaming around all hours. It is beautiful, undergoing remodeling, has beautiful old buildings dating to the mid 1800s (my building is circa 1857), while most of downtown is circa 1900. Narrow streets which can be difficult to navigate, especially in a car, NO parking spaces available anytime, but great on foot! For old Madrid charm it is hard to beat. My building also has the famous Café Cantante, La Candella (The Candle) in it! There is even a TV show called "Living in Lavapies!"
Everyplace has its good, and bad sides. Keep aware, don't do anything stupid, dress like the locals, not like someone from SoCal (I came to Madrid from Laguna Beach, so I can say that!) and you, too, will fall in love with this most magical of cities.
They don't call me "Martín de Madrid" for nothing!
ˇSuerte!
Martín de Madrid,
President,
1st Class Pinups
"The Classical Alternative in Pinup Art"
http://www.1stclasspinups.com