Job Offer in Chatham - is it safe??? (Chicago: low income, high crime)

[WAIDtransplant]

Hi,

First time posting as I just moved to Chicago 2 weeks ago because my wife got a job here. I was offered a job as a physical therapist which is split between two areas, Hyde Park and Chatham. I was told that Hyde Park is nice, but that Chatham was "not as nice." I was hoping to hear from people who know more about the city if this will be a safe place for me to work? I will most likely be taking public transportation (Red Line), but can use a car if needed.

Thanks everyone for your help!

[marothisu]

There are some normal parts of Chatham, but there's also some pretty dangerous parts as well. Hyde Park is nicer overall for sure. I'd think as a physical therapist it might be okay, but how far away is the job from the red line stop?

[WAIDtransplant]

It looks to be about a 15 minute walk from the red line. There is also an option to take the bus and walk about 5 minutes.

[TBideon]

Chatham used to be a slightly rough but functional neighborhood comprised mostly of middle class blacks and city employees (1970s-1990s), but a lot of them have left, and those who stayed tend to be low income, gangbangers, elderly, etc.

Avoid the red line and drive if you can. You'll save some headaches that way, I promise.

[ChicagoMeO]

what if you get here and you get in trouble? now what are you going to do?

[marothisu]

I would drive too but only because it's easier to have a car on the south side. If it was me I wouldn't be opposed to the bus part either, but I guess it depends on what part of the neighborhood it is.

[WAIDtransplant]

@chicagomeo do you mean get to Chatham?

[marothisu]

Let's also think of things this way. While there are high crime areas in town, just like everywhere else - people thinking that they'll just see crime everywhere every minute of the day is rather frivolous.

There were 7120 crimes committed last year in Chatham of any type. That's 19-20 crimes per day, which is less than one per hour in a 2.97 sq mile area. Of course, crimes can happen in chunks and more at certain times of the day and certain areas, but you get the point. There were 12 homicides there last year. 5 of them happened after 7pm.

Not saying you can't be a victim - anybody can, but just kind of making a point about how even though it's high crime, you could still go days without seeing anything depending on where you are and when you are there.

[CCrest182]

The west part isn't that bad. The further east you go however, "dicey" is an understatement to describe what it looks like. I definitely wouldn't live there, but a job there can't be that bad. It's not Englewood.

[treemoni]

Originally Posted by TBideon

Chatham used to be a slightly rough but functional neighborhood comprised mostly of middle class blacks and city employees (1970s-1990s), but a lot of them have left, and those who stayed tend to be low income, gangbangers, elderly, etc.

Avoid the red line and drive if you can. You'll save some headaches that way, I promise.

"slightly rough but functional". That's more in line with what Chatham is today. Chatham during the era you're describing was a great neighborhood.

Slightly rough but functional. Ha! Wonder how you came up with that description...