Relocating to North Chicagoland from Bloomington, Indiana

[TheMissingSpiceGirl]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Buena Park doesn't have much crime at all, and is probably safer than Lake View to the south just due to the fact that trouble makers don't really have any reason to hang out there (unlike the bustling night life areas just to the south). Uptown has just enough to be a concern, even though it isn't really a high crime neighborhood compared to the city as a whole. It looks a lot worse than it is due to a concentration of homeless shelters, social services, and nursing homes for people with addictions and mental illnesses.

Anyway, I lived in Buena Park for eight years, and that is precisely the grueling drive west to the expressway that I was complaining about on Irving Park Road. And that's by far the best east/west route from that portion of the lakefront. I've tried them all, dozens of times if not hundreds.

Okay, so Buena Park is probably out of the question then. Does that mean I should go ahead and cross off all of the areas around it (Lakeview, Wrigleyville etc.)? My only real draw to that area is that it seems like there is a lot to do and we have friends who live there. But it is starting to seem like the only place within the city that won't be a total nightmare to drive in and out of is Logan Square...

[knitgirl]

I'd look in Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, Albany Park, maybe Irving Park and Avondale. Those are all a bit further west, so you wouldn't have to spend quite as much time getting to the expressways.

[TheMissingSpiceGirl]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

I'd look in Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, Albany Park, maybe Irving Park and Avondale. Those are all a bit further west, so you wouldn't have to spend quite as much time getting to the expressways.

Thanks! I haven't heard much about Ravenswood or Avondale, but just from looking at a map, Avondale does seem to be situated in an area that would be easiest for us....if we choose to live within the city! Our friends are trying to convince us that the Lake View area isn't that difficult to get in and out of (they both commute everyday) and my husband was immediately attracted to Lincoln Park (of course) haha. Probably a little out of our price range..