I'll tell you all what I've told my kids over the years. First, before going with a rental agent, stay at least one night in a motel. Go to the local police department and ASK them what is the best and quietest part of town near schools if you have kids. Ask them what part of town are they called to most often, and where do the druggies hang out. Write all this down.
Then when you go out with the rental agent, write down the addresses of possible homes. Then spend another night there, but go to these places after dusk and after dark and check out what kind of night life they have there. If possible, go on the weekend, starting with Friday night and Saturday night. That's when most people party and fight and most kids swarm around the light posts and fight and scream. Make a not of how people walk home, do they look around them nervously and hustle to their houses, or do they stroll as if they were unafraid even after dusk or dark?
Check to see if there are any bars or dance halls or 7/11s near where you want to live. Trust me, you don't want to live near those, too many travelers hunt for them and a lot of them are robbed with regularity.
But when you find a nice place and then move it, look out for the very FIRST person to cross your doorway. My Grandma told me, my Mother told me, and I told my kids, and we've all found that it's true, the first person to cross your doorway will be the one you will have the most problems with during your stay there. From the one who helps you unpack and asks the cost of this and that, that was my worst neighbor in NM in the late 50s.
I sincerely hope that you and your family are different.. From my experience it's always been that way.