The study focuses on the way in which contextual indicators of ambient risk can affect individuals' perceived risk and lifestyles through both main effects and moderating effects, where the latter cause the effects of individual-level factors on risk perception and routine activities to vary across residential communities. Data for the analyses come primarily from a victimization survey as part of a larger Seattle, Washington, crime project. These data are supplemented with the 1989 and 1990 Seattle Police Department annual reports. The survey data were collected in 1990 on 5,302 individuals living in 300 neighborhoods. Results suggest that increased levels of crime (as indicated by tract-level burglary rates) and disorganization (as indicated by high levels of neighborhood incivilities, for example) have important direct positive effects on perceived crime risk; whereas, neighborhood social integration decreases perceived risk. Further, tract-level crime rates have direct positive effects on protective behaviors, but community disorder, for the most part, does not lead to an increase in precautionary measures. Important moderating effects of crime and disorganization are also found; for example, the tendency for nonwhites to perceive lower crime risk, or to feel less unsafe, than whites is intensified in disorderly areas. 5 tables, 1 figure, and 58 references