I live in 3rd Ward. I'll second the suggestion of renting a house if safety and proximity are your top priorities. For both of those in an apartment, you'll pay a premium. I believe the nexus of crimes in the neighborhood is in the apartment buildings. I've lived in a single family home with a fence for more than a decade without incident. Of course, if you try the neighborghood just south of the university where the professors live, you'll still pay the premium. Go southwest of campus and the houses look crummier but you'll be safe enough, pay a reasonable rent and be close to campus.
