Oh, yeah. We used to live about 6-8 blocks from Assembly Square (3 blocks from Sullivan Square). Our area was fine -- I never once felt unsafe walking through it (though we were made to feel unsafe in the apartment by a peeping tom). But you couldn't pay me enough to move any closer to Assembly Square. It was probably nicer when there was actually, you know, a mall there. But a big echoing mostly empty building? Not so much. (mumble grumble STUPID SOMERVILLE PEOPLES keeping IKEA from moving into Assembly Square growl snarl hiss spit)