Driving scary neighborhood at night

My school is in a city and for the next 6 weeks I have meetings from 7-11 at night. By the time I leave it's dark. I had to drive through sketchy areas to get to my apartment where there are always "suspicious" looking people walking the streets, crossing the road when the don't have the right away etc. I call my bf and talk to him the whole ride but does anyone else have to do this? I lock my doors and try not to ever completely stop (I slow down way before and just roll). Any advice?