How is the area around Western & Archer? (Chicago: transplants, subletting)

[macbookpro]

Might be subletting an apartment there for the summer.

[marothisu]

I think the area is OK. Rather sleepy...some food near there but not a ton or anything. McKinley Park I think it seeing a small increase in gang activity but I think it's OK.

[gomexico]

McKinley Park is what most of that neighborhood is called. Archer Ave. is a principal retail district. Banks. Restaurants. Some stores. Good transportation to the center of the city, via busses on Archer Ave. or the Orange Line "El." Many Mexican-Americans live in the neighborhood. You can search for data here or elsewhere on the www for "McKinley Park" to see what turns-up.

[chet everett]

There has been some violence near the park.

Certainly not a fun / hip place.

[C. Maurio]

It is safe but boring too. Lots of old people.

[tompope]

Personally, I love that area. As others have said, it's definitely not "hip" in any mainstream sense, but I don't find it boring, and I think it's a fun area to live or explore a bit, with lots of little nooks and crannies. I think the location is fantastic, convenient to the Loop and much of the city as well as parts of the suburbs. Safety-wise, it's an area where it's wise to take at least basic precautions and stay alert and aware, but you shouldn't have any problems regardless. It's just too bad, for your sake, that the Sox aren't better this year, since that area is also quite convenient to The Cell. When I lived over near McKinley Park, I went to a couple dozen games per year, but these days I may not be able to stomach quite that many. Oh, well. "Plenty of good seats available," as they say.

[Ace Rothstein]

Stay east of Western and you should be okay.

[Alacran]

Hip hoods are for noob transplants.
A real Chicagoan would rather settle down in a quiet hood.

[Drover]

Not too bad, though neighborhood quality falls off pretty quickly once you get west of the railroad embankment.

[chicago103]

It is a nice down to earth mixed white/hispanic/some asian neighborhood. It may not be the hippest place as others have said but it has great access to downtown via the Orange Line (35th/Archer stop) as well as the Archer Avenue and Western Avenue buses. There is a Jewel right at Archer and Western and there are many other basic shopping needs that can be met in the area. As far as restaurants Lindy's Chili is a great place right by Archer and Western to eat at, a southwest side tradition. The McKinley Park itself is a pretty nice place for a stroll as well with it's ponds and there are some nice houses/two flats/small apartment buildings around it. It is also a fairly cheap area to live in.