I like that area very much (in fact, I'll be moving over there next month). It's a more of a "real" Parisian neighborhood than a touristy one, but there are lots of shops and services and everything you could possibly need close at hand, including a nice outdoor market on rue de la Convention three times a week. Safety is not a concern (well, at least no more than in any other nice area). You have several bus lines right there as well as metro line 12, with other lines not too terribly far away.

Check out http://www.parissweethome.com as they have some apartments over in that area. I have stayed in one on rue de la Convention and overall was pleased with it.

You might also find something through http://www.lodgis.com/.

(Note that those two places are both agencies and do charge an agency fee.)

Also there were a couple of recent ads on craigslist:
http://paris.craigslist.org/apa/364779066.html
http://paris.craigslist.org/apa/360506545.html

I haven't looked on craigslist in the short-term section, but you might check that out as well.

Good luck with your search. Enjoy your stay!