Is this area safe for a "weekend rental" (Lincoln Park area) (Chicago: condo, crime)

[nic073]

Hey there,

I posted earlier this week about the Cortland/Western Ave location. I called to reserve it 3 days later (after we got a head count for our group) and he said he was mistaken when we first spoke and that it was rented that weekend. GRR!

So, I found another place: Lincoln Park Oasis
It is on Draper St. off of Racine.

I wondered if you could give me some info about this area:

1. Is it a safe area? (remember... we're mainly looking for a place to sleep. We plan on shopping and sight seeing a lot, so we won't be "hanging out" in the area around the rental. we just don't want to get mugged going to the CTA stop)
2. Is that correct that the CTA is not far from there?
3. Are there any great eating places around there if we should need/want to eat nearby rather than on the Mag Mile?
4. Pizza delivery: something not "pizza hut"... anything great around there that delivers?

Our price range for meals is around $20-$25/person per meal. I'm an extremely picky eater and my staple for eating out is grilled chicken or burger (yeah, boring, I know). Others in the group are more adventurous with food, but as long as the place has decent "american" type food I'm good.


Alright, thanks so much!

[Lookout Kid]

People are going to get defensive if you keep asking about the safety of North Side neighborhoods with three million dollar homes... Lincoln Park is one of Chicago's premiere neighborhoods. Technically this is DePaul, but yes, it is a very safe neighborhood. But muggings happen everywhere, so you always need to be careful. It's pretty quiet around that area except for drunk college students milling about.

You would be quite close to the Red Line "L", which is at Fullerton and Sheffield (a couple blocks south and a couple blocks east). The Red Line would take you down to Chicago and State, and then it runs down State Street throughout River North and the Loop. It should get you close to just about any downtown hotspot.

You can get pizza delivery anywhere, and Chicago doesn't really have your typical pizza chains. You could probably get Lou Malnati's delivered there. If not, there's always Giordano's.

Restaurants? Too many to list. Though the choices get better to the east. Clark Street, Armitage, and Halstead have some good choices. Lincoln Avenue also has a lot to offer.

[Chicago60614]

I live right north of that place, maybe 3 blocks. The neighborhood is gorgeous, and extremely safe. People always talk about Chicago and crime - but seriously, the north side is about as safe as anywhere you could be in a large city. There might be a murder or two in Lincoln Park / Lakeview every year - but it's usually domestic stuff, you're not going to find drive bys and gang shootings in that area. They found a woman's body who was dumped near Diversey a few months ago and the neighborhood literally freaked out. It just doesn't happen.

The CTA is close to you, and there are dozens of nice restaurants. Just walk around Diversey/Clark and especially Belmont. I'd eat up north as opposed to Michigan Avenue, it's just so overpriced and touristy down there.

[Manigault]

I know that the Chicago area is a big metropolitan area and the stories of grisly crimes are played in the nation's press. But where do people get these ideas that any area within city limits means you are taking your life in your hands? I know its good to be careful in unknown areas, but, come on!

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

I'd eat up north as opposed to Michigan Avenue, it's just so overpriced and touristy down there.

Yes, if you guys want to keep you dinner prices down, there are tons of restaurants in that area, much more reasonably priced than what you'll find on the mag mile.

As far as pizza, you are only a few blocks south of Gino's East Lincoln Park location and a few blocks east of The Art of Pizza which was recommended to you earlier. Either of those choices are good, but I'd go with Art.

[j33]

The neighborhood is fine, perfectly safe, and I second (third?) the Art of Pizza suggestion. If you want to eat around the Mag Mile and keep your costs down, I'd suggest Cafe Iberico, it is a Spanish tapas place that is just lovely.

I know that you mentioned you basically survive off of grilled chicken and cheeseburgers (I can't imagine how ) ... but given it is a small plates sort of place, I'm sure that you can find something there you'd like. They also have very good Sangria and it is the sort of place where you can snack and drink for hours.

[Lookout Kid]

If you like Tapas, there's also Cafe Ba-ba-reeba on Halsted--which isn't too far from where you're staying. It's not quite as good as Cafe Iberico in terms of food, but the atmosphere is better. And the outdoor patio is awesome in the summer. It's a Lettuce Entertain You joint (a corporate chain of restaurants), so some people assume that it's sterile, but the food is actually quite good. Don't forget that Tru and Everest area also Lettuce Entertain You!

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

At that address, your closet CTA stop will be Fullerton. (Diversey is closeish too, but closed for construction). That's a good thing, because Fullerton is a Red Line and Brown Line stop, so you can go straight from there to a number of destinations without having to change trains.

[nic073]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

People are going to get defensive if you keep asking about the safety of North Side neighborhoods with three million dollar homes... Lincoln Park is one of Chicago's premiere neighborhoods. Technically this is DePaul, but yes, it is a very safe neighborhood. But muggings happen everywhere, so you always need to be careful. It's pretty quiet around that area except for drunk college students milling about.
.

I didn't mean to offend anyone... I wasn't saying it was unsafe at all, just asking to make sure. Some of my friends and I are taking a girls weekend away from our families and the only place we've ever been to in Chicago is in and around the Magnificent Mile. I am clueless when it comes to neighborhoods around there. I just wanted to make sure we'd be in a decent/safe area. Sorry if I offended anyone.

[nic073]

Ok, I just read through everyone's posts. Thank you for all the great suggestions! I can't wait to try some of the places out.

I'll say it again, I hope I didn't offend anyone by asking about the safety of this area or any other area around Chicago. I know with any city (I'm about an hour from Detroit, and I often have clients in/around the Detroit area) there are good/bad areas and that the line between the two can change quickly. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't naively booking a condo in the middle of a really bad, gang riddled area. Chicago is not familiar to me, so I hope you understand my concerns with making sure we were going to be in a relatively safe area.