Homewood vs. Flossmoor (updated information) (Chicago, Naperville: real estate, foreclosures, rent)

[chicago_60611]

Ok, ok I get it--the south suburbs aren't what they used to be . And yes I appreciate all of the feedback I've been getting however, is there anyone online who STILL lives in these areas, and hasn't moved away? I agree every area has its challanges however, it really boils down to how the residents (in conjunction with the police department), handle these issues. That being said I'm still serioulsy looking (more Flossmore than Homewood), at these two areas--can anyway shed light on the specific questions I orginally asked? Thanks.

Originally Posted by chicago_60611

My wife and I are looking to buy a home in the area, and had some very specific questions: Which village is better? Which has the better schools, what’s the best preschool, Montessori or other? (Looking for a well defined ethnic mix) Which village offers the most diversity, what are the ethnic makeups? What are the different neighborhoods for these villages, what’s the difference in them (distinctive characteristics), in addition are there any we should avoid (sections/boundaries/cross streets), which ones should we be looking at? Which areas in each of these villages are more prone to flooding? What types of activities are offered (dance, gymnastics, or other), and how diverse are they? Which village has the overall better reputation and value for the money? Have there been any major/minor crimes within the last 6 months, and if so what were they? (I'm sure overall crime is less than Chicago), but all places have crime, what type of crimes happen in these two villages? Lastly, does anyone have any negatives or bad experinces--again I'm looking for recent incidents like last 6 months to a year. Thanks.

[ajolotl]

I see where Humboldt is coming from; I just don't think he is being totally honest. I'm pretty laid back about who I hang out with/live near, but even I feel uncomfortable when it's dark and I walk past a small group of male black teenagers, even in a neighborhood with a high average income. They usually aren't doing anything bad and they never say anything to me, but I can't escape my perception that they're mostly screwed up and dangerous.

It's not because they are ghetto black and not buppie blacks, like Humboldt says. It's just because they are black. I have no idea if they are ghetto or not. They all wear the same styles and all act like teenagers. They are almost never doing anything bad.

This is a racist and probably pretty unfair perception. So I guess I'm somewhat racist.

Originally Posted by skyeINIL

Ah, it's cut-and-paste Humboldt! It's been awhile. And as usual, pulling stuff out of your behind:

Yes, Flossmoor with its whopping crime rate 116 and its horribly low median income of $107,850 is getting bad. It seems that whatever town is being talked about you have "someone that you know" who lives/lived there that can tell you about it. You must be a popular guy.

I haven't lived in Lansing since mid-November, but from what I know it's still an ok place to live.

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

I see where Humboldt is coming from; I just don't think he is being totally honest. I'm pretty laid back about who I hang out with/live near, but even I feel uncomfortable when it's dark and I walk past a small group of male black teenagers, even in a neighborhood with a high average income. They usually aren't doing anything bad and they never say anything to me, but I can't escape my perception that they're mostly screwed up and dangerous.

It's not because they are ghetto black and not buppie blacks, like Humboldt says. It's just because they are black. I have no idea if they are ghetto or not. They all wear the same styles and all act like teenagers. They are almost never doing anything bad.

This is a racist and probably pretty unfair perception. So I guess I'm somewhat racist.

what kinds of parents let their teens hang on the streets at night? You know those kids are the product of broken families and are without an activer Father in their life. Odds are a group of blacks will be criminals than any other group of humans. It's just the facts...

[ajolotl]

In Beverly the starbucks on 103rd and Longwood closes at 10 in the summer. Tons of pretty well-off white teenegers hang out there alone in large groups until closing (without their parents). They don't scare me at all.

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

what kinds of parents let their teens hang on the streets at night? You know those kids are the product of broken families and are without an activer Father in their life. Odds are a group of blacks will be criminals than any other group of humans. It's just the facts...

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

In Beverly the starbucks on 103rd and Longwood closes at 10 in the summer. Tons of pretty well-off white teenegers hang out there alone in large groups until closing (without their parents). They don't scare me at all.

I'm not talking about starbucks LOL...that isn't "the streets."

[ajolotl]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

I'm not talking about starbucks LOL...that isn't "the streets."

well, that's true, but they all got their walking, and I often pass them on the way.

Point is that if you're in a group of black male teenagers, I give the worse possible interpretation of what you're up to, and never the benefit of the doubt.

[Humboldt1]

I was robbed and nearly killed in 1998 in St. Louis by 4 black males "hanging out" near a street corner as I was walking to a McDonald's a few blocks east of Washington University. In St. Louis, it gets pretty bad quickly as you get east of the university (Clayton, University City).

In 2007 I was ripped off by my black trainer to the tune of $3,000, in Palatine. I still have a lien on his house, which from what I understand is in foreclosure.

In 2006-2008, I was nearly held hostage in a building I owned by the 3 black families that lived in there and ended up evicting all 3 and end up losing $15,000.

In all fairness, in 2009, I lost around $8,000 to a Puerto Rican family that I just evicted, $5,000 in lost rent and $3,000 in repairs.

It is fair to say I HATE GHETTO PEOPLE and wish they would be wiped off this planet.

Right or wrong, white teenagers are not seen as doing anything wrong, maybe at worst hanging out and skateboarding. They are not the ones selling drugs or doing other gang activity.

I would not have a problem with a group of black teenagers hanging out at that Starbucks, so long as they were clean-cut and not ghetto looking. Besides, if they were too ghetto looking I am positive the police would enforce no loitering ordinances and break them up. This might happen too if they were white if enough people complained as well.

10PM is not 2AM. And it is Starbucks, not some street corner in the city controlled by a gang.

Skye,

Just curious, why did you move from Lansing?

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

well, that's true, but they all got their walking, and I often pass them on the way.

Point is that if you're in a group of black male teenagers, I give the worse possible interpretation of what you're up to, and never the benefit of the doubt.

i know and that's something the black community needs to fix. it's a shame and it ruins our society.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

Skye,

Just curious, why did you move from Lansing?

We got a good deal on a bigger house in NWI so my MIL could move in with us.

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by skyeINIL

We got a good deal on a bigger house in NWI so my MIL could move in with us.

Ouch! Living with the Mother In Law. That explains a lot.