Is lawrence, ma a bad place to live, and why?

I wouldn't want to live there that's for sure. Like the first poster says the city of lawrence is always on the news re: a robbery, shooting or some other kind of violence. It's not a pretty city and I try to avoid having to drive thru it when I go from the north shore to NH, especially at night. I don't think the schools are very good but I don't live there so I wouldn't know.