<p>But in all seriousness:</p>
<p>Yes, there are neighborhoods around the Yale area that are unsafe to walk around in, especially at night, etc. However, you will find that in just about every city. Think. Make smart decisions. Don’t count your money as you walk around at 12am, or walk home from a bar drunk and alone in the wrong part of town. Yes, if you walk around downtown there will be homeless or very poor people who may ask you for money. But if you’re opinion of Yale is swayed by that, it is extremely unfortunate. I remember a conversation with my grandmother about the homeless, and how she apparently never saw a homeless person before. I mentioned that I see them all of the time, and she was like “Oh my goodness! There are homeless people in New Haven!? Oh no! Do they talk to you?!” It’s silly. They aren’t going to give you a hard time. They’re actually somewhat nice, if you do get to know them.</p>
<p>And just to emphasize what a unique/artsy place downtown New Haven is, there is actually a homeless woman who acts out Shakespearean monologues EXTREMELY well, (rumor has it she went to the Yale School of Drama but dropped out. I believe a Yalie did a documentary on her). She does it for money. Many Yalies have seen her before, and agree she is great. But if you are afraid of the poor, or people of many different backgrounds, New Haven is surely not for you. (perhaps reality is not either…)</p>