Its bark is worse than its bite - a lot of its reputation comes from the 1980s when things genuinely were dreadful, but there has been a lot of police work and a lot of investment since then, and it is a lot better than it once was.
I'd still not be keen on my 18 year old child moving there though - do make sure you always get a taxi home at night, and get contents insurance too.
Mind, I'd be just as concerned by the 6 month tenancy thing - you may find that your landlord decides to evict you then, so you'll find yourself having to move home midway through the academic year.