It seems like there are about four different options
- Leave it unlocked all the time, even if you’re gone for a while
- Leave it unlocked all the time, except for when you leave the house for more than a few minutes
- Leave it unlocked when you’re home and locked when you’re not home (Maybe another option here for locking when you’re sleeping?)
- Leave it locked all the time
Personally I default to the latter because that’s how my idiosyncratic anxiety feels comfortable, even when I’ve lived somewhere where I would be able to hear people coming a mile off. But I know people who default to the first option even in a place where some of their neighbors default to the latter. A lot of it comes down to personal preference rather than environment, I suspect.
Many single family homes in Germany (and apartments) don't even have a doorknob outside you can turn - you can only open the door with a key (from the outside).
I guess in rural areas and old style homes it might be different.
The norm (I think?) where I am is lock it if you’re out, and at night.
If and when you open it during the day, leave it unlocked (and perhaps open if it’s a nice day) until one of those two things happen.
Here in the UK, my mother locks her front door at night, even though she's in a relatively low-crime area (albeit, technically a 'city'). When I stay, it scares the life out of me; I worry about waking up to a fire and being stuck in the house!
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