Infiniti,

I can understand your concern. I live in a very safe neighborhood, but still almost never run alone. I run with my husband. We run "around" the block 2x6k/week, otherwise either on a high school track - it is ideal for the legs, or on a bike/horse trail along the San Diego creek.
Orange county is full of running clubs - almost all provide programs for (re)starters too. Maybe to join one? To run with partner(s) is the biggest help you can get. There is no way I would wake up in any morning to go out to run alone... Long runs are very boring even if you have some kind of entertainement (MP3, cd etc.)

I agree, the hardest part is always from the bed to the door - then everything is so easy.
Btw there is nothing wrong with running on treadmill. I remember to read about an Alaskan pro Marthoner who trained almost only on treadmill.

We had a wonderful 18 miles run today. I know this sounds crazy, but it meant 3 hours circling on a high school track:-)))

My best wishes:-)
Eva