I think your background is perfect to become an SLP. Just know up front that you may need to apply 2 or 3 years in a row before getting in. Take the GRE over and over until you get a good score.
I applied 3 years in a row. This year I was accepted to 5 schools. I built up my resume by doing volunteer work and got really strong letters of recommendation from the field.
If you are persistant, you will succeed. It just might take you longer than you would like.
I have lived in both Hayward and San Jose. I had more problems with criminal activity in San Jose. There are safe areas to live both in Hayward and neighboring Castro Valley. Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut creek are all very nice and more upscale than Hayward / Castro Valley.
Schoolwise, I also had a bad experience applying to SJSU. I will be attending CSUEB this fall.