I understand where you're coming from about meeting people in person with large amounts of cash, you never know. Never used localbitcoins, but you can deal solely with a reputable member. Maybe you can ask the seller if they would accept a money order as payment. As for linking a account to coinbase, you should be safe. Its a US based company out of San Francisco I believe. I just linked my bank account to my coinbase, currently waiting on the deposit verifications