We live in SF (I have been here for 6 years) and it’s an absolutely safe place to be, not more or less than any other large cities in this country. Media, for some reasons,, are painting a gross image of this gorgeous city that is absolutely untrue.
There are neighborhoods in the city that are problematic (the infamous Tenderloin to name one), and places around the bay that may be less desirable, but again nothing more than anywhere else in this country. It’s a beautiful area to live in with TONS of possibilities and a buzzing work scene… however it is very expensive due to the prevalence of the tech industry and its high salaries.