Bad Neigborhoods In Chicago, IL (Chatham, Oakland: home, income, crime)

[IllegalForeigner:)]

Bad Neighborhoods In Chicago. I'm thinking of going to that city but I just want some advice where to be and where not to be
thx!

[CTownNative]

It would be better if you ask this question on the Chicago forum.But anyways I've heard that the westside is mostly all bad,and there is bad neighborhoods and good neighborhoods on the southside.The northside from what I saw when I was there was mostly good but does have a couple sketchy areas,I don't know the names of any of the neighborhoods there really through,the Chicago people will help you with that.

[tahiti]

"Well the south side of chicago
Is the baddest part of town
And if you go down there
You better just beware
Of a man named leroy brown"

[Steve-o]

Youd have alot more luck in the Chicago forum, but I can tell you that a majority of the south side and west side has high crime. Areas west of the loop are quickly gentrifying, as are many south side neighborhoods.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by tahiti

"Well the south side of chicago
Is the baddest part of town
And if you go down there
You better just beware
Of a man named leroy brown"

I believe ol' Leroy's in the nursing home these days.

[Supernova7]

The Southside and Westside has a lot of crime (mainly because most of it is poor black ghetto's" but that's only due to the gangs as there are many good people who live in those communities. Also, I know several white people (friends) that live there and haven't had any problems. There are good and bad areas both South/West. However, if you want a decent area in the city I would stick to the North/Northwest side of Chicago. Pick an area with a good mix of nationalities....

[valpoguy]

Originally Posted by CTownNative

It would be better if you ask this question on the Chicago forum.

Aren't we in the Chicago forum? If not, I'm confused.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by valpoguy

Aren't we in the Chicago forum? If not, I'm confused.

The thread got moved.

[dyt937]

sourth side

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by IllegalForeigner:)

Bad Neighborhoods In Chicago. I'm thinking of going to that city but I just want some advice where to be and where not to be
thx!

You can't really draw west and south side generalizations. There are good and bad neighborhoods in both. The north side is more gentrified and there are fewer bad neighborhoods, but there are some. Defining "bad" as low income and high crime and "good" as stable and livable, I'd say (not all inclusive but just to illustrate):

South Side Bad

Englewood
Back of the Yards
Woodlawn

South Side Good

Beverly
Hyde Park
Chatham

West Side Bad

Austin
Garfield Park
Lawndale

West Side Good

Little Village
Pilsen
Archer Heights

If you're that concerned about it, might I suggest that you research the neighborhoods and look at the median income. If it's below $30k or so, it's probably a bad neighborhood -- or contains too many bad areas to make it worth moving there. The higher the median income, the better the area, obviously.

You also have to look at the demographic changes going on in the area. Some formerly solid communities (such as Marquette Park for example) are generally considered to be declining. Some formerly nasty areas (such as Bronzeville, the South Shore and Oakland for example) are considered to be on the rise.