Originally Posted by
Chris L
No offence taken. If you've been through the area you're obviously better qualified to comment. I was referring more to a general pheonomenon that I've experienced (perhaps more relevant to touring than commuting) where people people consistently tell me that an area is supposedly a "bad" area, but I've had more crime perpetuated against me in the supposedly "good" areas.
I've lived and spent plenty of time walking or biking through so-called "bad" areas, without consequence. That's not to say that there aren't areas that are better of avoided, but I agree with Chris, a lot of places get painted as "bad" by people who don't really know what they're talking about. If it's your personal judgment based on experience that a place is sketchy and you'd rather avoid it, that's one thing, but if it's hearsay, I'd be skeptical.