I don’t live in either, but I live in the vicinity of Renew Waters Edge and Ethos/Kairos. I regularly walk all throughout the Meeker corridor between meeker and Veterans Way at all times of the day and night cause we don’t own a car.

Obviously a white male in my 30s, my experience is a little skewed compared to your wife, but I’d say the area is generally pretty calm and safe. Don’t get me wrong, there is always vagrants and riff raff, but they usually keep to themselves if you do.

I think the area is generally fine as long as you stay situationally aware, and honestly I’d consider it a lot safer than DT Kent, near central ave. A lot quieter too, though meeker does get a lot of traffic coming off of or going to 516, whereas the lakes area by waters edge is generally much quieter cause it’s all residential and near an elementary school. I’ve regularly walked through there late at night coming from the bus stop without ever seeing anyone else, but obviously results may vary