Hey,
I am in undergrad here at Cincy and will most likely be attending UC med this fall. If you grew up in NYC then you will most likely not find the Cincy campus too intimidating. Most of the crime-ridden neighborhoods in Cincinnati are far enough away from campus that students are not affected by violent crime. However, as with any urban campus, students need to be cautious (i.e. try not to walk alone after dark, walk on the side of the street with more lights/less dark alleys, etc.) This is common sense stuff that I'm sure you're aware of. Personally, I have never had any problems, even while living in Clifton Heights, a neighborhood near the main campus that suburbanites might consider somewhat "rough". Also, none of my close friends have had problems either.
Basically, I wouldn't let Cincy's tough identity keep you from attending school here, especially since you are used to an urban environment. Cincy really isn't that bad if you use common sense. There is also plenty of housing nearby Cincy that is very safe (Mt Adams, Mt Lookout, Hyde Park), although you will need a car to commute. PM me if you have any other questions, and maybe I'll see you here in August!