Regarding a woman's perspective on an area being safe....
Recently we rented a 100+ year old house in west Dublin. We noticed
security systems on the houses, some high
security fences here and there, a bit of graffiti, sometimes trash in the streets, and if one was paying attention, home less people living in over grown areas. FYI, Dublin has a big home less problem.
We used LUAS(tram), buses and simply walking to get around. We never once felt unsafe. We have spent quite a bit of time walking around Dublin, mostly in the non tourist areas, living like a local and
buying groceries at three different stores in different neighborhoods. I had been, and continue to read, the Irish papers and violent crime SEEMS to be well covered but there just does not seem to be that much. We had wondered about the security in some areas we walked through but we saw plenty of
kids out playing and women out walking alone even late at night.
Before moving to the area you are interested, read the local papers well in advance. In the US, I would think you would be able to get crime statistics from local police or Sheriff department. Visit the neighborhood at different times and watch the people that are out and about. If women are out walking around by themselves at different hours it is likely a safe place.
Later,
Dan
I'm currently out of state and won't be in the 
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