Should I buy this house in Evanston for $53K as an investment?

[Lookout Kid]

The rough parts of Evanston aren't necessarily in the "to be avoided" category in a comparable fashion to the rough parts of Chicago, but they are not what I'd personally be comfortable with. However, if you want to put in some sweat equity, clean the place up, join block clubs and citizen crime watchdog groups, and just be a good neighbor--that place could use it, and the trend is still positive for future gentrification in Evanston. Perhaps you could help bring about the change that is needed in that neighborhood. Or it could break you down into a jaded cynic for years to come and be a traumatic money pit. It's hard to say.

[KRAMERCAT]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I'm sure the rough spots in Uptown are worse than, or at least comparable to, the rough spots in Evanston. I do not live in a rough part of Uptown, however.

It's interesting that comparing 60640 to 60202 on Moving.com shows a lower crime rate in that part of Evanston than Uptown.

Moving.com: Compare Two Cities

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by KRAMERCAT

It's interesting that comparing 60640 to 60202 on Moving.com shows a lower crime rate in that part of Evanston than Uptown.

Moving.com: Compare Two Cities

I wouldn't doubt it. Parts of Uptown are pretty shaky. But I live in 60613 within a few blocks of Lake View. And it's really a block-by-block situation. Zip Codes are MUCH too broad. The house you are looking at is probably in one of the worst five-block zones of Evanston, if you were to break up the town that way. But if you expand it out to the zip code level, you are including many nicer areas.

[lovetoteach09]

is this that house next to the big industrial park at the end of the block?

[KRAMERCAT]

Originally Posted by lovetoteach09

is this that house next to the big industrial park at the end of the block?

I dunno, is it?

[tully]

Just bumping this thread to point out how iffy that area can be- cops responding to an apparant landlord-tenant dispute had to fatally shoot a knife-wielder:

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/news/1545151,ev-shooting2-042609-s1.article

(about a block away from the OP's house of interest)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by tully

Just bumping this thread to point out how iffy that area can be- cops responding to an apparant landlord-tenant dispute had to fatally shoot a knife-wielder:

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/news/1545151,ev-shooting2-042609-s1.article

(about a block away from the OP's house of interest)

Looking at the crime reports, it's pretty common to hear "shots fired" in that area during the summer months.