Husband's work may take us to Buenos Aires or Montevideo, Uruguay. Are they safe?

We may be able to choose. It is for schooling. I am worried because all the (recent) information I read points to definitely NOT safe...as in don't wear your jewelry, carry your cell phone, etc. And this is coming from locals. Heard the unemployment has made it worse. We have a toddler as well and if we want to explore, I don't want to be worried about looking out for petty theft all the time! It would be for only one year and my Husband is fluent in Spanish.