Area between Albany Park & North Park (Chicago, Berwyn: apartments, rentals)

[lemillerdc]

Hello, My family is moving to Chicago from D.C. this summer and I was wondering what anyone can tell me about the area between Albany Park and North Park? I am looking at a daycare in that area for my son but is it safe? When I look at Lake View and Ravenswood are for apartments I also see a lot of places come up in Rogers Park that look nice but I've heard that area can be sketchy. Can anyone give me specific streets/sections to stay away from?

Thanks!

[Thepreacherswife]

What area between Albany Park and North Park? They're contiguous. Can you be a bit more specific on location that you're concerned about?

The north end of Albany Park (where I live) actually has quite a number of North Park University students living in apartments, it's quite tame compared to the southern side of Albany Park, and even that's not too bad a place save for some concentrated gang corners.

I'll let others comment on Rogers Park. IMO it varies in sketchiness from block to block.

[Alacran]

Stay north of Foster and your good.

[MannheimMadman]

Given the choice, there is no way I'd live in Albany Park again unless it was somewhere in Ravenswood Manor.

I think North Park represents as great value in rent. Not a lot of people really focus in on the area, but there are some good deals to be had on rentals in a two or three flat. The only downside is proximity to public transit, though you could always catch the Kimball or Kedzie bus to the brown line if you had to.

There are good restaurants like Smokey Bear's and Tre Kronor, too.

[Drover]

The area between Albany Park and North Park is called "the Chicago River."

[lz0]

Originally Posted by Drover

The area between Albany Park and North Park is called "the Chicago River."

I've heard that area is really going under. A very miserable place to live. Hard to keep your head above water.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by lz0

I've heard that area is really going under. A very miserable place to live. Hard to keep your head above water.

::cue symbols::

Hey ladies and gentlemen, this is lz0, and he'll be here all night! Tip your waitress well and try the veal!

[lemillerdc]

Originally Posted by Thepreacherswife

What area between Albany Park and North Park? They're contiguous. Can you be a bit more specific on location that you're concerned about?

Well, when I look on a map I see Albany Park near the Kimball station and then a few blocks north is says North Park around Berwyn Ave so I guess since I need to be metro train accesible anything from Argyle street south. What I really need is an affordable safe neighborhood for a family of 3. Say around $1200-$1400. So what neighborhoods would people reccomend?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by lemillerdc

Well, when I look on a map I see Albany Park near the Kimball station and then a few blocks north is says North Park around Berwyn Ave so I guess since I need to be metro train accesible anything from Argyle street south. What I really need is an affordable safe neighborhood for a family of 3. Say around $1200-$1400. So what neighborhoods would people reccomend?

Irving Park and Mayfair. The transit-accessible part of Albany Park is a little iffy, and in fact a gang turf war has flared up there in recent months. I should add some of that turf war has spilled into the northern part of Irving Park, namely the portion east of Central Park Avenue and north of Irving Park Road. Many consider this area to be part of Albany Park anyway. But at any rate, I recommend the portion of Irving Park near the Addison and Irving Park Blue Line stops, and Mayfair near the Montrose Blue Line stop. That will keep you away from the flare-up area.