I lived in Noble Park for 6 years.... when we lived there is was quite safe (well except when "mad max" when on his shooting rampage in the early eighties) we moved not longer after that happened...my grandpa still lives there and he said it has become very unsafe with a large "gang culture". He says there was (and still is) a big influx of refugees from various countries being "dumped" there (his words not mine!) which is creating the ethnic "hate"...

as for travel time, its a fair hike from the city to be doing a daily commute, but you'd be looking at about 45mins+ and thats if the trains are running on time!