No denying there are crime & corruption issues in the city, just like Houston or Dallas, Chicago, NYC, LA, Miami, etc. Trinity Univ., U. of Houston & Rice all "border" some not so great/dangerous areas of San Antonio & Houston...
Tulane is located in the Garden District(actually adjacent to Audubon & Loyola Univ.)...somewhat similar to Olmos Park (San Antonio), Memorial (Houston), etc...
Freshmen aren't allowed to have cars. Tulane has implemented several transportation plans, just like others campuses.
Ocshner Hospital is within 3-4 miles of campus & yes, there is GREAT health care there & @ Tulane Hospital. There are health care facilities on campus, too.
What I personally do not like is the city at large...the French Quarter, the casinos, Mardi Gras...it's kind of like "Las Vegas of the South"...or so it seems.
But, those things have nothing to do with the University. Son is too busy with classes & baseball to do much "running around". He understands where he is & why he's there. So, I'm not as worried as I once was. A little common sense, heeding the advice of upperclassmen, he's been fine thus far. As with any frosh, it's an eye opening experience. The Team is very close & supportive.
Turchin field was in the process of being renovated prior to Katrina. But, that was washed down the Mississippi, so to speak. So, they started over! Turchin II will be ready in April. Until then, the team plays @ Zephyr. http://tulanegreenwave.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/063006aaa.html