working in Cicero (Oak Park: crime rate, house, transfer)

[mamluk]

hey everyone
i will be soon starting to work in cicero from 10-6. my question is, how safe or usafe the area is during that time? which areas should i stay away from? whats your recomended way to commute to cicero, would the CTA be a good way to commute from chicago northside?
any feed back will really be appreciated.
thanks

[Drover]

I think people overstate tend Cicero's danger a bit. I don't want to give anyone the impression that it's actually a nice place that gets a bad rap, because some of its reputation is deserved. But you should be fine during the day in pretty much any part of Cicero, though I hope you're not working at a convenience store or anything. The Pink Line CTA train goes out to Cicero, and from there you'll probably be able to catch a PACE bus that will take you fairly close to your destination. Do you have an intersection or address you'll be working at?

[mamluk]

hey drover thanks for the info, its south cicero ave and 22 street.

[Drover]

"22nd St." is actually Cermak Road... There happens to be a Pink Line L stop right at that intersection. They also run the Cermak/Douglas Branch Blue Line train on the same track from the Polk stop westward during rush hours, the difference being the Cermak/Douglas Branch Blue Line follows the Blue Line from O'Hare to the downtown subway and then out west, whereas the Pink Line train operates on the Loop elevated track. So that gives you a couple of transfer options, or if you live near the Blue line on the North(west) side, you can catch a train that will take you directly to your stop with no transfer necessary.

[gardener34]

I lived there for years and if I recall the only real bad area was "grant works" stay away from there. 22nd street is fine, also Cicero is one of the most well lit suburbs you will ever find.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by mamluk

hey everyone
i will be soon starting to work in cicero from 10-6. my question is, how safe or usafe the area is during that time? which areas should i stay away from? whats your recomended way to commute to cicero, would the CTA be a good way to commute from chicago northside?
any feed back will really be appreciated.
thanks

People got you thinking you're gonna get smacked down heh? A common misconception about minority/majority communities like Cicero. But per the Illinois State Police database, Cicero's crime rate is lower than Oak Park.

We've eaten at Al's Pizza, Klas and Serenata on Cermak Road in Cicero at all hours of the day and night and I'm still here to tell about it. Though it might be a little nerve racking at first to be in a different environment than what you're used to, just act normal and you'll be just fine. And if you're really feeling dangerous one day, venture over to 61st and 16th and try Freddy's Pizzera. Great authentic Italian food and pizza.

[mamluk]

hahaha i love italian food so it sounds good after all. thank you guys.

[kimbercutes824]

Originally Posted by gardener34

I lived there for years and if I recall the only real bad area was "grant works" stay away from there. 22nd street is fine, also Cicero is one of the most well lit suburbs you will ever find.

Uhh Yeah I used to live in Grant Works from my birth 1982-1988 when we moved into a house and it was pretty bad then. I remember walking around Cicero at all hours of the day and never feeling scared just cautious but you have to be cautious anywhere now a days.

[kimbercutes824]

Originally Posted by BRU67

People got you thinking you're gonna get smacked down heh? A common misconception about minority/majority communities like Cicero. But per the Illinois State Police database, Cicero's crime rate is lower than Oak Park.

We've eaten at Al's Pizza, Klas and Serenata on Cermak Road in Cicero at all hours of the day and night and I'm still here to tell about it. Though it might be a little nerve racking at first to be in a different environment than what you're used to, just act normal and you'll be just fine. And if you're really feeling dangerous one day, venture over to 61st and 16th and try Freddy's Pizzera. Great authentic Italian food and pizza.

MMMMM Al's I have been craving stuffed artichoke for about 5 years now!! I miss it! Freddy is really good and their Italian Ice is really good too.

[jjchgo]

Originally Posted by kimbercutes824

MMMMM Al's I have been craving stuffed artichoke for about 5 years now!! I miss it! Freddy is really good and their Italian Ice is really good too.

agreed! stop by freddy's for sure.

cheers,

jj