i lived without a car for five years here, and it's more or less okay if you are a strong bike rider. things aren't close enough to walk everywhere you will want to go, and public transit is only sporadically convenient, doesn't run very late and is more designed for commuting than getting around town

in terms of safety, just use the same advice as you would for any city; don't walk around by yourself late at night and avoid closed off areas with no people. don't go to unfamiliar areas before understanding them and the neighborhoods

do some research about what you want to live close to most and find an area to look for a place that is close by. if you want to know more about that neighborhood, ask here