Hola,
¡Gracias a todos para ayudarme! OK, I've been trying to brush up on my Spanish but, obviously, it's been a LONG time since I took a class.
In reply to your questions, I have been reading all kinds of guide books and Sol/Gran Vía seems to be the most tourist-y area...so I wanted to try another neighborhood. Maybe this is untrue, I don't know.
I'm taking more precautions than usual since this is my first trip on my own. I wish I were a 250 pound rugby player just for the duration of my trip!
Thanks again!