Not even areas really, just activities. Don't get involved in gangs or drugs and you'll never have any problem. One nice thing about the Motor City is that sidewalks are empty, because if you had any money you would be driving. I've walked and biked all around the city and metro, you're more likely to be hurt by a pothole on a street with no lights than by muggers or whatever people are afraid of.
> "sidewalks are empty, because if you had any money you would be driving."
Not sure this makes me feel safer. I'm guessing you're not suggesting that everyone has money, so why are the sidewalks empty exactly?
Also would you say that Detroit is "walkable"?
Somewhat. Downtown is perfectly walkable. Some of the individual surrounding towns are too (Royal Oak for example), but the metro area as a whole is not. I haven't looked (I usually have a rental car), but I don't think the public transit is particularly useful either.