What Are The Bad Sections of Chicago? (Lincoln, Chatham: rentals, townhomes)

[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.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by BRU67

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.

I have to argue with Chatham and Little Village being "good." Chatham is all right, but I think it gets more credit than it deserves and there is a lot more serious crime there than I think most people realize. There were 9 murders in Chatham last year and there have already been a handful this year, including that poor woman who got shot just a couple days ago after apparently refusing to give up her car to a carjacker. I think people say Chatham is nice because 1) it physically looks nice -- people take care of their homes, mow and landscape their lawns, etc.; 2) a majority of its residents are middle-class, which unfortunately makes it kind of unique for an all-black neighborhood in the city; 3) it certainly is good compared to far more troubled black neighborhoods in the city.

Little Village, on the other hand, has no such redeeming qualities. It has serious gang and drug violence, and doesn't even have Chatham's middle-class aspirations and aesthetic charm.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Drover

I have to argue with Chatham and Little Village being "good." Chatham is all right, but I think it gets more credit than it deserves and there is a lot more serious crime there than I think most people realize. There were 9 murders in Chatham last year and there have already been a handful this year, including that poor woman who got shot just a couple days ago after apparently refusing to give up her car to a carjacker. I think people say Chatham is nice because 1) it physically looks nice -- people take care of their homes, mow and landscape their lawns, etc.; 2) a majority of its residents are middle-class, which unfortunately makes it kind of unique for an all-black neighborhood in the city; 3) it certainly is good compared to far more troubled black neighborhoods in the city.

Little Village, on the other hand, has no such redeeming qualities. It has serious gang and drug violence, and doesn't even have Chatham's middle-class aspirations and aesthetic charm.

I probably should have clarified that by "good" I basically meant you don't have to worry as much about getting a cap busted into your tail than you do in the ones I listed as "bad." I figured I'd get dinged on Little Village and you raise some good points but, hey, it's hard trying to find a good west side neighborhood, ok? And to the extent Pilsen may be improving in some areas, it's because yuppies are pushing out the former element.

As to Chatham, you're also right. But you have to say that insofar as south side African American neighborhoods go, it is good.

[Mschicago]

Let talk about high crime in rape!!!!!!!!!