The Armenian Heritage Park and neighboring Taco Bell are a huge improvement over how that intersection used to look. In the 90's, that site was occupied by an abandoned gas station surrounded by a chain link fence.

There are a number of apartments wedged around Angel and Waterman St on the east side that may be worth looking into. The area is walking distance to both Thayer Street and Wayland Square, which are more hip commercial areas. The neighborhood is safe and mostly comprised of apartments, medical offices, shops, restaurants, and law offices.

Another area to check may be the side streets off Hope Street on the east side. There are a number of stores and restaurants north of the intersection of Hope and Rochambeau that would be within walking distance.

About 90% of the east side would be considered safe (the only place I'd be cautious of would be west of Camp Street, south of Rochambeau Ave and north of Doyle). Even that area has improved, although parts of North Main Street look abit run down.