sunny with a chance of crime

While my girl and I are house hunting the realtors want to get inside our heads and pick out something to get past the general hazy "we'll know it when we see it" emotion we throw around. So I was thinking... when I have to round it out it all starts with 16 acres with a brook and a small red house atop a hill... but then as the price goes up we move closer and closer to other houses. Garden space and a quiet street for the cats are key. But the vanilla "1/8 acre with lawn experience" my girl and I grew up with just won't do. We don't want to live anywhere that might include letters complaining about the hue of my teal blue shutters or our inability to control the dandelions on our dreaded kentucky bluegrass. We hope to be far enough from the din that we can hear ourselves think but urbane enough that everybody feels comfortable with raised garden beds and spinning metallic sculptures. We don't want a "student rental neighborhood" aesthetic but a college town aesthetic nonetheless. We're somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of watching someone make a number 2 in front of the house. However, a small chance of crime and deviance is the trade-off for a neighborhood with a well-spiced flavor. It's a debate for the ages while I still hold on to my sunny hill surrounded by acres of woods.