Most of Worcester is generally safe even in its most troubled areas. But if I had to pick the three most “dangerous” neighborhoods in the city, it would be Main South, Vernon Hill, and Great Brook Valley (I wouldn’t worry about GBV since it’s a government housing project that you have to REALLY go out of your way to get to). If I had to pick an “Honorable Mention”, that would be Bell Hill and the lower Lincoln Street area.

Yes, Worcester has crime. There are shootings, there are gangs, and there is a LOT of poverty, but the crime rate here isn’t so out of control that even the poorest areas of the city are completely unlivable. As long as you keep to yourself and don’t go out of your way to find trouble and have a basic sense of street smarts you’ll probably be fine.