Originally Posted by johan rebel
The decline in Windhoek has been more gradual, and I don't think the situation is as bad as some would have us believe.
I completely agree. I never actually spent any time in Windhoek as I merely transited it both times I was there. In talking with other travelers who had spent time there, yes - crime is a consideration, but perhaps not so much a worry as the folks in the hostel and at the train station would have had me believe.
As for Swakopmund, nobody seemed the least bit concerned about crime either day or night.