Null Sec and WH have vastly different mechanics. Travel, payout, capitals availability, cyno, system effects, etc etc etc. Simply blacking out local doesn’t even come close to making them equal.
If you are use to flying solo in null with the expectation of safety yo uare part of the reason this is occuring. Nul is meant to be a dangerous place that requires player cooperation to make it safe to profit. Local is\was preventing that. Dscan is your friend, and be sure to fly with friends. Otherwise, highsec is where you’re meant to be.