Obligatory apartment advice intro thread (South Noble Square?) (Chicago, Lincoln: apartments, how much)

[labordaze]

I'm choosing between two apartments right now.

One a few blocks Southeast of Chicago and Ashland (700 block of Bishop), and one that is steps from the Rockwell stop in Lincoln Square.

Obviously these are very different apartments. The one in Lincoln is much nicer, and both locations work well for downtown commuting. My main questions are:

How safe is that block of Bishop? I'm okay. I can handle myself alright. I'm 6'1'' and 27 years old. Lived in a few different city neighborhoods, and currently crashing in West Ridge and it suits me just fine except the commute is wayyyy too long. But I'm less worried about me and more worried about my girlfriend when she comes to visit.

Secondly, the price of both apartments is the same. Is Noble Square even that cool of a neighborhood? Is it worth it to stay there? Or is it just kind of this bizarro neighborhood that is either super gentrified already in some parts and not nice at all in other parts, with no sort of in between. I mean Lincoln Square is super homogenous and a little boring. But how much different is Noble Square? Is there a neighborhood feel to it at all. I'm asking because I haven't spent much time there.

I saw some cool looking churches. But there was also a huge boarded up building on that block that looked sketch. I got on EveryBlock and all that. Just wanted to know what y'all thought, as I frequently lurk here.

Thanks!

[hindukid]

I use to live right there at Huron and Bishop. IMO I'd take Bishop location any day. Yes there is some sketch but there is a ton of cool stuff right around you. Cool bars on Chicago ave plus tons of stuff to do on Division. Under $15 cab gets you to Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Downtown, and Wicker Park. Immediate blocks are pretty good and feel fairly active. It will feel much more urban than Lincoln Square.

[labordaze]

Thanks for the reply. The apartment in Lincoln Square just got taken anyway. So I guess we'll see how this goes.