60’s too, I use to ride all over alone, to Flushing and down to Canal. I am thinking of a New England cruise out of NJ and would like to revisit some old haunts, but getting there on public transits worries me.
Do not worry about riding the subway in New York. I ride them all the time in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn without incident. It's much safer than it was during the Koch and Dinkins years. Take the bus or ride a cab late at night, otherwise you'll be fine.