October 2015 in Chi: prices sky high. What's going on?

[emathias]

Originally Posted by MoItaly

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Seriously, Airbnb is something I would definitely do by myself. With my wife I don't know, I mean, just safety reason, you never know. After all you have no idea whom you are going to stay with, so I know she'll be nervous (then again, she had no problem walking in Cabrini Green, Chinatown in the evening, or walking from River North all the way down to the M-Bar at 11:00 p.m. in the dark....)
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I actually get more single women visitors than I do single guy visitors. Airbnb hosts have reviews. Pick a listing with more than 20 reviews and you have a good chance of knowing what you're getting yourself into. And in the 5 years I've been a host I've heard exactly 1 story of a guest having a possibly criminal assault from the host - and that was in Spain. More often (but still not actually common) I've heard of guests causing problems for the host.

Most of my guests are couples. Not all, of course, but most. Generally, it's the guys who are leery of things, not the women. Why, I don't know. The fact that I'm gay may factor into that, even though both myself and my partner are not at all flamboyant or particularly outwardly gay, but I think it's more than that. I think guys are just more territorial.

[marothisu]

^ I've stayed at AirBnb in a few foreign countries (and ones that aren't necessarily part of the G8) and was fine even.

[jwuk45]

Originally Posted by MoItaly

walking from River North all the way down to the M-Bar at 11:00 p.m. in the dark....).

Is that something people seriously consider dangerous? I have female friends who walk much further in much shadier areas much later at night and wouldn't think twice about it.

[MoItaly]

Originally Posted by jwuk45

Is that something people seriously consider dangerous? I have female friends who walk much further in much shadier areas much later at night and wouldn't think twice about it.

Let's say that there weren't many people walking and later I was told I should have taken a cab next time.
Then again, it's all relative. I grew up in a neighborhood in Italy in the early 70's where you wouldn't go there today even if you were used to Austin (all respect).

As always it depends who you are and who you are with. I am with my wife, I try to keep it safer than when I am by myself, but I grew up in a rough area, so it's all aboput background I guess.

I am sure there are people walking worse areas, especially in rough CHI hoods, but walking from River North to M-Bar apparently is not something tourist couple would do from 11 to midnight.

[Vlajos]

As others have suggested, airbnb is definitely worth checking out. We have used it and homeway in Greece, Italy, France, Turkey, Austria and Portugal with no issue.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by MoItaly

but walking from River North to M-Bar apparently is not something tourist couple would do from 11 to midnight.

I don't know - whoever told you that seems pretty weak. If you are visibly drunk then yeah I totally agree. I have a friend who lives pretty close to that bar who is afraid of about 98% of Chicago neighborhoods (even ones that are relatively low crime) and she will walk home from areas like River North, Gold Coast, etc if she's not drunk. But I could see the fear of being alone and a woman later at night.

Regardless, a cab ride or Uber X ride from there to River North is pretty damn cheap. The cost of one beer basically.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by MoItaly

Let's say that there weren't many people walking and later I was told I should have taken a cab next time.
Then again, it's all relative. I grew up in a neighborhood in Italy in the early 70's where you wouldn't go there today even if you were used to Austin (all respect).

As always it depends who you are and who you are with. I am with my wife, I try to keep it safer than when I am by myself, but I grew up in a rough area, so it's all aboput background I guess.

I am sure there are people walking worse areas, especially in rough CHI hoods, but walking from River North to M-Bar apparently is not something tourist couple would do from 11 to midnight.

I wouldn't think twice about doing that walk at any time.

And I'd also encourage you to check out options on Airbnb. We've used in Rio, Prague, and a few different American cities - just stick to people who have a higher # of reviews to alleviate any safety concerns. The majority of the time we have little to no interaction with the host (if choosing a full place, not a room).

Then again, its good to visit other places as well...