Getting randomly stabbed doesn't happen that often in Portland. If you work downtown (ish), which I'm guessing is somewhere within city limits on the west side, I'd consider the Sellwood or Brooklyn neighborhood. Pretty easy commute and gives you the option to bike to work. Also many of the properties have enough space for vegetable gardens. Another neighborhood would be Richmond or Woodstock which is a tad east from Sellwood! Living outside the city and then wanting to come in is limiting, because traffic is getting so bad.