How's Rogers Park these days? (Henry: neighborhood, live, restaurants)

[C. Maurio]

I would not live in the part roughly between Sheridan Rd to Clark and Devon to Howard. There is a lot of crime there. The area around Loyola is nice and safe for the most part as is the area west of Clark and Sheridan Rd itself. But streets like Lunt and Morse Ave I would avoid. Especially after dark.

[Lookout Kid]

Is that MorseHellHole blog still around? That used to be somewhat entertaining. The author would post pictures of bum **** piles and drug deals in progress.

[C. Maurio]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Is that MorseHellHole blog still around? That used to be somewhat entertaining. The author would post pictures of bum **** piles and drug deals in progress.

I have not seen that blog but the author would be pretty accurate when it comes to Morse Ave. That street has been going to hell since the Jewel store closed on it years ago. It is actually a bit better now that it was in the 90s but nowhere near where you would want to hang around after dark except to grab a slice of pizza from JBs. Back in the 90s there was a used CD store there that was the best in Chicago. They had every CD you could want at about $5 each. I probably went in there dozens of times and bought over a few hundred CDs in there. They had all the classic stuff (Pink Floyd, Steve Miller, Bo Diddley).

[divakat]

Originally Posted by K 22

Just asking since I'll be in town in 2-3 weeks and I kinda like Rogers Parks in a "I could definitely live here" way. When I was last here about 18 months ago, I remember Sheridan Road had some pretty nice looking condos; Clark St was a bit creepy at night; Howard station had a few "characters" here and there but nothing I'm not used to.

I'm guessing it's still a "middle of the road" neighborhood still (i/e not great but not horrible) ?

I used to live in one of the new condos off of Sheridan road. The condo itself was gorgeous and so was being steps to the lake/beach. What I didn't like about it was that the neighborhood did not feel as safe as I would have liked. It didn't feel awful, but I wouldn't be comfortable walking around late at night. I had two kids there and there were lots of homeless people, and lots of mens' homes and boys' homes nearby where the men would stand around outside and make comments when you passed by. It got old after a while which is why I moved when the kids got a bit older. Also, the property values are not that great. We lost a ton of money on our condo, and Rogers Park was one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in all of Chicago during the crash. They built all these new fancy condos but the neighborhood just did not turn around as much as they thought---at least not enough to hold on to the kind of prices they were selling for....or remotely close to them.

That said, if you don't plan on having kids for a while, you could pick up a steal right now and be close to the lake and public transit. Pratt & Sheridan was where we lived, and that area is probably the safest you are going to get there.

[LittleMartha]

Originally Posted by C. Maurio

I have not seen that blog but the author would be pretty accurate when it comes to Morse Ave. That street has been going to hell since the Jewel store closed on it years ago. It is actually a bit better now that it was in the 90s but nowhere near where you would want to hang around after dark except to grab a slice of pizza from JBs. Back in the 90s there was a used CD store there that was the best in Chicago. They had every CD you could want at about $5 each. I probably went in there dozens of times and bought over a few hundred CDs in there. They had all the classic stuff (Pink Floyd, Steve Miller, Bo Diddley).

Yeah, Record Exchange was great. They also had the resident kitty cat; don't remember his name.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by C. Maurio

I would not live in the part roughly between Sheridan Rd to Clark and Devon to Howard. There is a lot of crime there. The area around Loyola is nice and safe for the most part as is the area west of Clark and Sheridan Rd itself. But streets like Lunt and Morse Ave I would avoid. Especially after dark.

You're singling out a large majority of the neighborhood.

Honestly, I don't really like much of what's east of the tracks, but there still a lot going on. Are you really saying that you don't like Mayne Stage, Heartland or No Exit?

[C. Maurio]

Originally Posted by LittleMartha

Yeah, Record Exchange was great. They also had the resident kitty cat; don't remember his name.

yeah. He was a big fat cat and used to sleep on top the vinyl they had in there!

[C. Maurio]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

You're singling out a large majority of the neighborhood.

Honestly, I don't really like much of what's east of the tracks, but there still a lot going on. Are you really saying that you don't like Mayne Stage, Heartland or No Exit?

The Heartland is all right for drinks but I don't like their food. I was raised on good Italian food so if I eat in Rogers Park it is usually some JBs Pizza or Leonas on Sheridan. I was raised in Rogers Park but west of Clark. Went to Sullivan after expulsion from Catholic schools.

[Warsie]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Is that MorseHellHole blog still around? That used to be somewhat entertaining. The author would post pictures of bum **** piles and drug deals in progress.

damnit

This blog is open to invited readers only

http://morsehellhole.blogspot.com/
It doesn't look like you have been invited to read this blog. If you think this is a mistake, you might want to contact the blog author and request an invitation.

[Bird4Prez]

I've worked in Rogers Park for four years. I have frequented the area for at least fifteen. The change in that time has been remarkable. Specifically around the Morse stop. There was a time (not too long ago) when there were open air drug sales and prostitutes at all hours by that stop. Anyways, these post are really good/accurate so far. The area around the Howard stop (though not anywhere near the most dangerous in the city) is probably one of the most dangerous areas on the North side, but it is farily isolated and pointless to go to unless you need to take the train there. Most eveything else is fine. The diversity of Rogers Park does have its ups and downs......meaning there is a lot of subsidized housing for the mentally ill, recovering drug ddicts, group homes, nursing homes etc. You need to make sure you know what is on your block because the crime in Rogers Park is sporadic. As a whole, the area is still fairly undiscovered and inexpensive. From a real estate perspective.....it is probably trending upward, although that is a guess because I am not in the realty biz.