Probably would not meet up in person, too much risk of robbery from someone when I am talking about how much bitcoin I have purchased. I'll keep my online profiles separate from my in real life self.
I understand your concern, and given how big the world is, I suspect you aren't anywhere near Chicago anyhow.
However, if safety is the only concern, I'd be happy to meet in the lobby of a police station? Or on the floor of a casino (They have pretty good security in those places)? Or anywhere else with really good security.