The city is a lot safer than it was twenty years ago. In my opinion the Dinkins era was the all time low as far as crime went. But any big city is going to have its bad areas. These areas (I've chosen one from each borough) still haven't lived up to their potential, as far as becoming upwardly mobile.

Bronx: Southwest Bronx

Manhattan: East Harlem

Staten Island: Stapleton

Queens: Hollis

Brooklyn: East New York