I spent my first years of life right around the corner on 14th and Arlington, dad worked for 35+ years at the biiiggg building right up the road. It like everywhere else isn't what it use to be but still not as bad as others.
I live 1/4 mile south of there on Arlington and drive through that intersection everyday to go to work. Really not that bad. Lived in Irvington for all my 27 years (except when I went to college) and don't think it's that bad at all. Go a bit farther north or west and it goes down hill.
X whatever on Tie Dye. Steer in is good not great. Oriental Inn (14th and Arlington) is the place to go for chineese. Jockamos in Irvington is real good. I'd also recommend Pasquallies at Washington and 465...get the meetball sub. The Legend in Irvington is really good too. The Irish Mutt (10th and Shadeland) is a good bar to go to and have decent pub food.