Oak Park - Austin Green Line (Chicago: crime, home, neighborhoods)

[brian1887]

I am considering moving to the Oak Park area, a place at Humphrey and Ontario, right by West Suburban hospital. The place is only a block from Austin Blvd., and I would be taking the Austin Green Line to the loop on a daily basis. I know the Austin neighborhood is not the best, but does anybody know what the area in Oak Park near Austin and Ontario is like? Also, is the Austin L stop fairly safe?

Thanks.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by brian1887

I am considering moving to the Oak Park area, a place at Humphrey and Ontario, right by West Suburban hospital. The place is only a block from Austin Blvd., and I would be taking the Austin Green Line to the loop on a daily basis. I know the Austin neighborhood is not the best, but does anybody know what the area in Oak Park near Austin and Ontario is like? Also, is the Austin L stop fairly safe?

Thanks.

Nice on the Oak Park side and dicey on the Chicago side. That part of Austin isn't great. The "Ridgeland Line" thing you hear about is overrated but the rumors that the closer you are to Austin, the more likely you are to be the victim of crime are not greatly exaggerated. I have friends who live safely and happily in OP near Austin, but they are veterans of City neighborhoods and know how to handle an urban environment.

Just use some common sense and treat it like you would an "up and coming" Chicago neighborhood -- be alert and aware of your surroundings late at light, park your car in a well lit area, carry a cell phone, etc. The Green Line is pretty safe (I took it for years at all hours) but don't, for example, get **** drunk and stagger home down Austin at 3 a.m. on a Saturday while playing with your new iPhone. Take a cab. If this idea is terrifying to you, move further west near Harlem. That part of OP is very safe.

[oakparkdude]

If you look at the crime blotter in the local paper, (Wednesday Journal), the majority of serious personal crime (robberies) take place at night (often past midnight) in the blocks immediately adjacent to Austin Blvd. Much of it takes place right on Austin Blvd. BRU67's suggestions are right on.