@Geordy Rostad she was just lucky it wasnt a block house. 

Good thing is it's a neutral tan color so I can use it in other places but I know the wife will want to use different colors in some rooms.So how do I estimate the amount needed?

In regard to items blocking defects (furniture hiding a hole in the wall for instance). 

I also grew up pretty poor in a town run by a major gang (shout out Fresno, California), so I have a strong functioning understanding of "rough" sides of town -- I know when a street is run by a gang, or when it's just a bunch of poor but wholesome families trying to get through their day, and how that can change from block to block.

Once they’re in the apartment their true colors come out, but by then it’s too late.

It’s 2 blocks from city hall and the police station. 

I'm looking for general opinions on the layout, colors, etc.

If that is not the description, then you probably have a D area (where there's a boarded up building in every block or every other block). 

Sometimes even one block can make a huge difference.

The area is about 2 blocks from the incoming Worcester Red Sox stadium coming in.