Worst suburbs in Chicagoland (Cicero, Oak Lawn: transfer, high school, gated)

[allen2323]

Originally Posted by Northwest Indiana

Thanks for answering the question, honestly.

Allen2323, do you care to answer the question?

If I had to live in either place that would mean I was broke. So, my honest answer would be ford heigts. Just because it is closer to where I am now. I guess if you have to live in a hood, atleast let it be a hood that you are familiar with. But, I get your question. Some areas of gary are nicer like miller beach. But, there is no way in heck I would spend good money to live in gary.

[allen2323]

And speaking of gary. Why don't they just demolish some of those huge vacant commercial buildings that the city now owns? Like the vacant sheraton hotel. Harvey has finally moved on demolishing the old dixie square mall. And I thought it was a brilliant idea for lincoln mall in matteson to demolish it's two vacant anchor buildings. Why live in the past and keep a vacant eyesore. The new JCPenney's and target look much better as stand alone stores. Who wants to shop at a dead mall anyway? The Carson's should build it's own stand alone store next. More people shop at JCPenney now that they have there own store away from the crappy mall.

http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/illinois-invests-4-million-for-harvey-mall-redevelopment-39197.html (broken link)

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by allen2323

If I had to live in either place that would mean I was broke. So, my honest answer would be ford heigts. Just because it is closer to where I am now. I guess if you have to live in a hood, atleast let it be a hood that you are familiar with. But, I get your question. Some areas of gary are nicer like miller beach. But, there is no way in heck I would spend good money to live in gary.

Thanks for answering! And I would venture to say that the vast majority of people would not spend good money in Gary, Ford Heights, or any declined place (no matter the size) as their primary residence.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by Northwest Indiana

Thanks for answering! And I would venture to say that the vast majority of people would not spend good money in Gary, Ford Heights, or any declined place (no matter the size) as their primary residence.

Truthfully, I would spend some cash for a lakefront Miller home - but it would have to be a time in my life where schools wouldn't be a concern.

But you're right - I agree that the majority wouldn't invest in a community such as Cal City, Dolton, Lansing, Homewood, Harvey, The Heights, etc., that's on the decline.

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I would say the suburbs east of I-57 are in the same boat.

I agree. You would be hard pressed to find a community between 1-57 and the Illinois/Indiana state line that isn't in a state of decline, let alone a community with the trifecta: excellent schools, low crime, steady & increasing property values. (Though increasing is a bit of a stretch - steady is most likely the best one can hope for in ANY town nowadays.)

[usagisan]

Easy....Cicero and Aurora.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by urza216

Don't forget about young people who make little money and live at home with their parents, their mom or with family/friends. It's often young men who commit crime, anyway.

Most top wage earners in Olympia Fields households are high earning professionals. Olympia Fields has upper middle class households but especially in this day and age, this isn't necessarily as good as it sounds.

My household is middle class but I work maintenance and I need some money, man. I can sympathize with someone who is struggling and steals a bunch of money - even someone who just happens to live in Olympia Fields (or Munster).

That is why I said per capita income is better criteria.

[urza216]

Here's my list of worst depressed towns:

Ford Heights
Robbins
Gary
Harvey
THE EAST SIDE of Chicago Heights deserves to be mentioned..

[Jimmyp25]

Ive lived in Tinley and Orland Park area for 16 years .. The areas great.. crime is basic petty stuff. But you can still have an ease of mind walking down the street.

[oak999]

I just wanted to add something to this debate seeing as how we just got the SECOND INSTALLMENT OF TAXES IN OAK FOREST.

The cost this year is over 6,000 dollars!! Over 530 was to the suburb of Oak Forest and even more to the Oak Forest Park District among many other expenses.

I think when we look at the "worst suburbs" it is important to include those towns not run well and full of waste like Oak Forest. This waste comes at a price. These are towns were you get little bang for you buck compared to other areas. Is Oak Forest like Ford Heights? No.

But Oak Forest is the worst middle income town you could choose when compared to others such as Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox etc.

[ImaloneJill]

I lived in OF for 12 years. Luckily, my husband is a master carpenter and remodeled our 1968 model OF raised ranch with fireplace surround, built in bookshelves, built in office desk, kitchen island, ceramic baths, skylights, etc. We had no trouble selling it for top dollar almost 5 years ago. I was frustrated with lack of homeowners updating their houses, neighborhood run down, lack of community services. We bought in Mokena and it was a good fit for us. We paid too much for our house, but we also got too much for our OF house, so it evens out.
I ride past OF every so often and it makes me angry that the govt. there does nothing to generate business along Cicero or 159th. Cicero is as ugly as it gets. I wanted to live in OF until we were ready to retire, but it didn't work out that way.
Yes, school system in OF was good. My son had no trouble when he transferred to Lincolnway schools. And I used the forest preserve trails almost every day. In those two respects, yes, OF was up to par.