You want to avoid Cranston Street and Huntington Ave near Niantic - and most of the streets to the right of the Cranston Street/Niantic intersection, unless you go much further down to the Armory neighborhood, or off Broadway. The problem in the West End is, it's tricky if you don't know the area because two streets might be ok, and the next two might not be. Or one street might be fine for a few blocks and then start to change...
If you head the other way up Niantic and cross the bridge over Route 10, that area is much better, IMO, and more consistent. Likewise, if you went down Niantic toward Cranston Street and took a left, you'll be ok on Laurel Hill Ave or some of the streets on the right side of Cranston St.
I would suggest you look into these apts or others in this neighborhood:
2 Bed townhouse style duplex, finished basement, updated kitchen Private Yard, Parking, Eat-in Kitchen, Storage, Firepit Space in Yard It's a perfect location for you to walk to work on Niantic, but it's a safe neighborhood and close to Reservoir Ave to hop a bus downtown. If you can find a roommate, there's
a 4 bedroom house for rent for $1600 in the same neighborhood. Anything in that neighborhood on the east or south side of Spectacle pond is a reasonable walk to Niantic.
And there's no pictures on this one, but
this is in a better neighborhood, Laurel Hill. If you can get there, you should really take a look around and see if you see any other apts for rent in this area. From Laurel Hill, you have good access to a few different bus lines and it's also close enough to walk or bike to work. Likewise, if you see any listings for "Reservoir" or "Reservoir Triangle", it's probably safe enough and close enough for you to consider.
Good luck, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I worked for six years in the office park on Niantic and live on the other side of Mashapaug Pond from there.