31 January 2012, 11:11 am
Knowing your area to live in this beautiful, but sketchy city. Having lived all over the city and metro area for 25 years I know Chicago like the back of my hand. Safer places to live in Chicago: The Loop or downtown is one of the most beautiful places in the world. From world class restaraunts, nightlife, stores, parks, buldings its a heaven. Although it is a bit pricey. Its more so for young and old professionals and not the best family living area, unless you like that. South of downtown is safe as far south as 16th St. and only as far West as about Halsted St. Anything south and west from their is majority high crime ridden areas. Some of the worst in the country, if not the worst. Although there are more family thrived neighborhoods found in pockets on the south side like Hyde Park (where President Obama has his house) on the southeast side by the Lake front. University of Chicago is here and has a lot of young and old professionals and top high schools for kids. Also about 10 miles southwest of downtown is Bridgeport (next to Chinatown). Here is where the Chicago White Sox stadium is but stay north & west from there. This neighborhood is majority Italian, Irish, German but has grown to be mixed adding Asians and Hispanic populations. On the boarder Chicago city limits on the southside is Beverly and Mount Greenwood. Here is where firefighters and coppers live with their familys to keep inside the Chicago limits for their residency for their jobs. Another family area like this is Garfield Ridge on the southwest boarder of City Limits, also majority Caucasian population. For the West Side stay no farther west than Western Ave, and no farther south than Roosevelt (mayyybeee even down to 16th St. but be safe). Here you can find Little Italy neighborhood, the Medical District with young doctors and college kids studyin and some top city medical colleges.Go north from here and still STAY west of Western Ave. you start to make your way to the north side going through Ukranian Village, Wicker Park (trendy, hipster, bars), Bucktown neighbordhood which are all good. As far north as Uptown and anything east of the Kennedy Expressway is a majority safe areas. Lots of bars, nightlife, young adults, Wrigley Field, parks. Best area of the city by far. Remember anything within 5 miles surrounding downtown is expensive but high class. Althought the south and west loop is growing it it a little higher priced still, but reasonable. The north loop is the most expensive in the city, about the same as downtown. Here though is the top restaraunts, nightclubs, and beach life for summer. Yes the summers in Chicago are probably the best in the world..partys and bars and restaraunts on the beach, yacht parties, Navy Pier, nightlife, bike trails on the Lake, girlssss! Its beautiful, I wouldn't be anywhere else but summertime Chi. The farther north you go the cheaper it is also. Anything past the boundaries I mentioned are high crime areas. Chicago unfortunately is 3/4 crime ridden areas but over the last decade with the demolishing of many low income housing projects the city is slowiy growing to a more upper class style of living starting outward from the Loop areas, but has a long way to go. I grew up on Chicago's south side Chicago Lawn neighborhood by 63rd St. and Kedzie Ave, not a place I would ever recommend. My mother moved me to the burbs just outside the west side of Chicago to Berwyn in high school to keep trouble away but that area is slowly getting worse also, having a high hispanic population like Cicero (next door suburbs between Berwyn and Chicago). I then got a good job and lived in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood (north loop area) which is the richiest in the city. I have recently moved back to the southside Chicago Lawn neighborhood with my grandmother who still lives here to save money because I am moving to Florida to further my education, work, and just get away! I love Chicago and have spent a good amount of time in Florida, Vegas, Memphis, Arkansas, LA, San Diego, Arizona (been almost everywhere across the US) but Chicago hands down is the most beautiful city in the world to me and there no other place Id be than here in the summertime. Although I need change and the winters are just too much for me. They are brutal at times, so be aware! But I know I will miss the food because Chicago also has the best food in the world. And I mean that from any ethnicity or heritage. Best Mexican, Italian food hands down! Unfortunately were not by a coast so sea food is so-so but you can find fresh restaraunt servings somewhere. This city has it all! I love it and am going to miss it! Ask me for any other info I missed out and even about suburbs. I know the metro of Chicago also!... Read More »
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