Parents buying a house

Our family came to the us in 2013 and have been in the same apartment since. They were looking to get a house last year February but they changed their direction and decided it was a good time to visit our home country.

Now after like almost a year they're looking to buy a house. They're being stingy with the area we move to, I know it's because of safety and crime rates but could it be anything else? The house they're looking at is in Catonsville and is 1340 sq ft 3 bed 3 bath built in 1994(357k) is that worth it for a townhome? There some near us and a bit cheaper but "bad area" is the only response I get when I show my dad the house.