I'm from Durham and know where that is. I see many students in that area, it's cheap but defiantly not the moat desirable place to live in terms of looks, I'm pretty certain it's a safe place though, although it is one of the rougher places in Durham, it's still safe. Near it is Gilesgate BANK, I would say more than 90% of the housing on the bank is occupied by students, it's within walking distance to the city centre by about 10 mins - if that! And I imagine it would be cheaper than living bang on in the city centre which are mainly very heavily populated by students.*