Moving to East Oak Park near Madison and Austin? Good idea? (Chicago: 2015, apartment)

[ScottieP423]

Hello All,

I was looking for some advise before signing a lease on an apartment in Oak Park. My girlfriend and I were looking at places in Oak Park and came across a really nice, newly refinished apartment on Austin, its the last building before you would turn on to Madison Street. The girlfriend loved it, but I got a "bad vibe" from the area, I want to know am I being paranoid or is this not the best area to get an apartment? I've heard bad things about living close to Austin and here we would be right on it so that gets me a little nervous to. Any people from Oak Park that could shed some light on this...we sign the lease in a few days and I want to make sure I'm not making a big mistake.

Any advise would be great, thank you!!

[southsidegal6743]

Originally Posted by ScottieP423

Hello All,

I was looking for some advise before signing a lease on an apartment in Oak Park. My girlfriend and I were looking at places in Oak Park and came across a really nice, newly refinished apartment on Austin, its the last building before you would turn on to Madison Street. The girlfriend loved it, but I got a "bad vibe" from the area, I want to know am I being paranoid or is this not the best area to get an apartment? I've heard bad things about living close to Austin and here we would be right on it so that gets me a little nervous to. Any people from Oak Park that could shed some light on this...we sign the lease in a few days and I want to make sure I'm not making a big mistake.

Any advise would be great, thank you!!

Don't do it. The price is lower than deeper in for a reason.

Think about this.

You're a poor person living in Austin, possibly a junkie...and you need money

Are you going to rob your equally poor Austin neighbor to get $8 and a tracfone, or walk 7 blocks and rob an Oak Park yuppie living on Austin.


You're near Columbus Park which is drug selling hang out.

Try to be as many blocks West of Austin and far North of the Ike as possible.

[chet everett]

There are some folks that try to promote Oak Park as perfectly safe from border to border but all it takes is a quick scan of the police items in the local papers to see that there are parts of town that have more incidents than others, that said the data does NOT show the east side to be all that big a risk -- http://www.oak-park.us/sites/default...Apr%202015.pdf

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by southsidegal6743

...and far North of the Ike as possible.

I've looked at these crime maps many times for multiple months, and I would say there is absolutely no increase in crime south of the Ike in Oak Park. This is ridiculous advice.

In fact, the most consistent crime hot spot in Oak Park is in the nice little downtown, probably due to a higher number of people being present there at any given time.

[southsidegal6743]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I've looked at these crime maps many times for multiple months, and I would say there is absolutely no increase in crime south of the Ike in Oak Park. This is ridiculous advice.

In fact, the most consistent crime hot spot in Oak Park is in the nice little downtown, probably due to a higher number of people being present there at any given time.

It's the proximity to Berwyn and Cicero.

The towns to the north and west of OP are nice (Elmwood less so these days but it's still okay) however, to the east and south you have 3rd world type war zone places. It's common sense to stay farther away from those places.

[linicx]

If IT is too good to be true... it probably is.

The City of Chicago and the Village of Oak Park share a common border street: Austin. If you were alone and wanted to live there I would tell you to go for it. You are not alone. I personally would not recommend Austin to my gf or parents. You will be safer living three or more blocks west.

Forty years ago Berwyn was a different place. My neighbors were Italians from the old country that didn't speak a word of English. It doesn't look like that today. The same could be said of Cicero. Forty years ago Gentlemen's Clubs, card games and raids were common; some whispered Mafia godfather. I don't know how much of it was true and how much was hype. I lived in Berwyn. I didn't bother Cicero; Cicero didn't bother me.

.

[linicx]

n/m

[jonnynonos]

Don't know much about that location in particular but I know my friends moved to a less expensive place in Oak Park near-er the Austin border and had their house burglurized.

Having your house burgled is one of those things that might not sound like a big deal but when it does happen to you, it is a big deal.

[mike3070]

Originally Posted by southsidegal6743

It's the proximity to Berwyn and Cicero.

The towns to the north and west of OP are nice (Elmwood less so these days but it's still okay) however, to the east and south you have 3rd world type war zone places. It's common sense to stay farther away from those places.

I'm happy to say, being a Berwyn resident, that the town is no where near being a 3rd world type war zone.

[OPRF]

Check with the police department about crime in that area. You would be choosing to live in a part of OP which has probably more crime because of where it is geographically. Consider the proximity to getting on and off of I-290 (Austin exit). While it may look convenient it also carries the inherent risk of an easy get away for someone wanting to get out of OP quick either by foot or car.

Diversity is why I chose to live here and it is a wonderful community but this part of OP may not be where you want to start your residency.

Another resource is The Oak Park Housing Authority...708/848-7150. Also you can look up crime patterns which are easy to find on the website spotcrime I believe.

Spend the time researching the different areas. You might also consider Forest Park which is nearby and has a lively downtown area and more affordable rents. Best of luck, welcome...............