What Are The Bad Sections of Chicago? (Oak Lawn, Berwyn: apartments, condos)

[MarquettePark]

60624, is the west side, the oldest black community on the planet, next to Africa, the home of the most famous pimp, The Bishop, Home of the most dangerous El Train The Lake Street El, aka the green line

I recommend 60655, 60632, anywhere near Midway Airport, or west of it,

DeWhite population: 363
Black population: 44,765
American Indian population: 55
Asian population: 48
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population: 5
Some other race population: 176
Two or more races population: 235
pending on where you work, and how much are u willing to travelWhite population: 363
Black population: 44,765
American Indian population: 55
Asian population: 48
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population: 5
Some other race population: 176
Two or more races population: 235

[Shoteka]

how bout the 1000 block of w harrison (south and a few blocks east of midway)

[Shoteka]

nevermind about that one (i was looking at the wrong end of my mapquest directions) how is marquette park, Marquette Park?

[MarquettePark]

That area, is not good anymore, esp at night, I would recommend the area West of it, between 71st and 67th West of Pulaski/Crawford all the way to Harlem, you should be okay for at least two more elections,

Another great area is the Clearing Neighborhood, which is West and North of Midway Airport 55th street, to 63rd street, Cicero to Harlem, I call this area, Little Poland, or Copland West, old warehouses, and semi trailer parking lots, have been converted to normal city streets, and new homes, with garages, are being built, esp along 65th street, Harlem and all points east, Nice Homes, that is Ed Burke 's ward, and you should be okay for at least four or five elections

1000 W Harrison, is not a good place, esp if you have a car, and besides that, the morgue, and the new juvenile detention center, are a mile west, and three blocks east of them is the old and new cook county hospital, and all the noise that comes with those places,

[jenrik2714]

You are wrong MarquettePark, Clearing in Mike Zalewski's ward not Ed Burke. I would recommend living in Garfield Ridge over Clearing. Garfield Ridge is much cleaner and the homes are nicer. To me, Clearing is not well kept up--alot of hillbillies live there hence the term along the homes on W. 65th Street between Austin and Central--hillbilly haven.

You are right,that whole area could be termed Little Warsaw, but there are many Mexican families moving into the area too.

[northsider14]

just stay away from the projects especilly the Ida B. Wells projects and you'll be ok

[lifeasisrael]

what if ur african american AND gay....lol....i read young college african american would love southside and i thought oh great...then if ur gay, southside not for you.....son is both AND creative....lol it's all so ridiculously funny

Originally Posted by MarquettePark

Fact, Northside is smaller than southside,

Fact, Northside has higher prices than same items in the Southside

Fact, Northside has all "yes all" the best bars, clubs, live theater, Cubs, Art, Museums,

Fact, Northside being smaller (size) has substantially more people, cars, congestion

Fact, Northside has more violent crime (checked google and US Census Websites)

My Take

The northside of chicago, to an outsider can best be described as a super sized version of North Hollywood CA, Palo Alto CA, Cadilac MI, or Hoboken NJ, I really dislike the north side of chicago, because of its lack of breathing room, typical brick bungalow/single family homes on a regular city block, are few and far between. Streets are narrow and have little or no parking, unless you want to pay, or walk. Newbies to the area will notice almost everything costs more versus southside, Chicago in general has higher prices on everything unless your from Los Angeles, New York.

We can all agree that all Chicago Public Schools suck with the exception of Whitney Young, Jones Commercial, Morgan Park, Bogan, and Lane Tech.....

The Southside

The southside of chicago can best be described as super sized version of Spokane WA, Detroit MI, Baltimore ME. Southside is younger than the northside, neighborhoods are unfortuneately grouped by race primarily, and wealth secondary. Residential buidings taller than 100 feet, dont exist, majority of homes, have parking, grass, cleaner air, wider streets and substantially more breathing room.

I have learned not to get to riled up, when I see someone bashing the Southside, I have learned over the years, being a Cable Guy, why we dont get along too well, I have lived in both parts of town, and when I resided in the northside my overall quality of life and health declined, and day to day life situations were more difficult and stressing. Living on the southside is better than the northside especially if your low on funds and want to own instead of rent, there is an open and unrestricted feel to this area.

I may get banned or edited for these next remarks, allow me to apologize first if I offend or upset anyone

The City of Chicago and its alleged bad areas, are only bad, if you know some important details, from the person describing "A bad area"\

If you are White, above the age of thirty, married or single any income, The entire southside is bad,

If you are Hispanic any age, any income, married or single, The entire southside is the American Dream come true

If you are Black single or married, over the age of twenty five, middleclass income or higher you already know you own the southside, and let me say thankyou for allowing me to live in your southside

If you are employed or soon will be employed by the City or County, you must live in the southside otherwise you will be uncool and laughed at

If you are Gay, the entire southside is very bad for you.

If you are an artist, musician, or actor, the entire southside is very bad for you

If you are an enviromentalist, tree hugger, and lover of nature the entire southside is heaven for you and welcome........

If you are a young black college student the entire southside is the mecca of African American History, and the birthplace of some of the most respected and influential black leaders of our century

If I skipped any particular demographic, or cross section of American populus, its because you or they dont live here..........

In closing, when moving to chicago, a handy tip for discovering the truths and falsities of a particular area of the city, search by zipcode, ask find or bribe a Chicago Cop for info, ask find or bribe a Cable Guy (Me) for info, You would be amazed how informative and honest Southsiders are, if properly motivated

I have posted several articles on what is considered the best area of Chicago, zip 60655 60643 southside of course, do a search using my handle on this site

[joe schmoe]

The north side of chicago is a wonderful place to live if you are younger. Depending on your salary of where to live. Up by lake shore drive and belmont are wonderful apartments with great views of the lake. Those apartments are big money, if you have a boat there are tons of harbours. Theres not much to do in the southside and the notorious west side. I grew up on chicago and leremy, I went back and now it's a bad hood. Other good places to live are the suburbs rite outside of chicago such as: Elmwood park, Des plaines, Mt. prospect is getting a little shaky but its not bad yet.

[cityperson]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if the area where the United Center is still bad? Is there a way to get there that's safe? Thanks.

[j33]

The area east of the United Center is quite nice, lofts and resturants, the area west of there is still a bit rough. Take the #20 Madison bus west from the LOOP to get there, it is about a 10-15 minute ride.