I have no real advice, except that I'd maybe not pay so much attention to the crime-ridden stuff. People are weird about what they consider "bad" when it comes to neighbourhoods. They have prejudices, or behave in weird "ROB ME PLEASE!" sorts of ways, and I just don't trust people when they say some area is bad because too often I've then gone to said area and found it to be just fine.

Where are you moving to, if I may ask? Really the best thing to do is to find someone you know with the experience of the area.