Safety in DTSS

I am moving to Downtown Silver Spring today and I was wondering about safety. How advisable is it for a 27 y/o white, somewhat out of shape (as in I look portly and probably could not put up a fight) gay guy (although I think it’s only really noticeable when I’m talking) to be walking through that area when it’s dark out? I might want to take an evening stroll to get exercise sometimes or to go shopping. Some of my relatives (who granted don’t live in the area) are concerned about the neighborhood, but I thought it was gentrified and crime-free relatively speaking.