Recent grad worried about moving to Chicago (Addison, Atlanta: rentals, house)

[billyThewho]

I just graduated from college here in Atlanta this past December and got a fantastic job offer in Chicago but i'm a bit worried about the move

From what I understand the city is really segregated and as a young black guy(22 years old) i'm a bit afraid of not fitting in. I've checked around the board for recommended neighborhoods but would like some suggestions from any black people living in the city (Not sure how I feel about living on the south side i'm not the most street smart guy)

*Rent budget would be around $1200 but id prefer having a roommate or two.

[Clark&Addison]

I'm not a black guy, but you really don't have anything to worry about. While the city is relatively segregated statistically, this is much more pronounced in the vast residential areas on the south, southwest, west, and northwest sides. It is much less noticeable in any of the neighborhoods that a college grad would want to move to, and where it is pronounced it is really a product of history and economics more than any kind of active racism.

As a black guy you really would't stick out at all in any of the young professional areas, and you really have nothing to worry about. Where will you be working and what sort of stuff do you look for in a neighborhood? Happy to make some recommendations.

[billyThewho]

Originally Posted by Clark&Addison

I'm not a black guy, but you really don't have anything to worry about. While the city is relatively segregated statistically, this is much more pronounced in the vast residential areas on the south, southwest, west, and northwest sides. It is much less noticeable in any of the neighborhoods that a college grad would want to move to, and where it is pronounced it is really a product of history and economics more than any kind of active racism.

As a black guy you really would't stick out at all in any of the young professional areas, and you really have nothing to worry about. Where will you be working and what sort of stuff do you look for in a neighborhood? Happy to make some recommendations.

The job is located in the Loop. Neighborhood wise I would just like to be around fellow young professionals. I would like having some parks nearby to play some basketball and having a boxing gym near would be a huge plus.

[Clark&Addison]

Originally Posted by billyThewho

The job is located in the Loop. Neighborhood wise I would just like to be around fellow young professionals. I would like having some parks nearby to play some basketball and having a boxing gym near would be a huge plus.

Basically anywhere along the red and brown lines on the north side are going to give you easy access to the loop and have a substantial amount of young professionals. Most of those areas are going to be generally on the more diverse side, and I doubt you would have any trouble finding a park with a court, they are plentiful. Not sure about boxing gyms but I think it should be easy to find one with a quick google, I think there are a few in the loop so you might want to go that route for after work.

[beaniemac]

Originally Posted by billyThewho

I just graduated from college here in Atlanta this past December and got a fantastic job offer in Chicago but i'm a bit worried about the move

From what I understand the city is really segregated and as a young black guy(22 years old) i'm a bit afraid of not fitting in. I've checked around the board for recommended neighborhoods but would like some suggestions from any black people living in the city (Not sure how I feel about living on the south side i'm not the most street smart guy)

*Rent budget would be around $1200 but id prefer having a roommate or two.

I don't know if u are bringing a car (I'm black also), but you should check out hyde park. it's south, but its pretty diverse racially, and you could easily afford a 1 BR there for under your budget. this area is also close to obama's house as well.

[kyost]

Originally Posted by Clark&Addison

Basically anywhere along the red and brown lines on the north side are going to give you easy access to the loop and have a substantial amount of young professionals. Most of those areas are going to be generally on the more diverse side, and I doubt you would have any trouble finding a park with a court, they are plentiful. Not sure about boxing gyms but I think it should be easy to find one with a quick google, I think there are a few in the loop so you might want to go that route for after work.

I second this, red/brown line along the lake are both safe and diverse, with plenty of things to do. A bit pricey but you get what you pay for. Hyde park is great but isolated, and the Milwaukee/blue line corridor is overpriced and overhyped. If you're not "street smart" try to avoid uptown and Rogers park and you'll be fine.

[xsboost]

Originally Posted by kyost

If you're not "street smart" try to avoid uptown and Rogers park and you'll be fine.

Thirty or maybe even twenty years ago I would've agreed on Uptown, but not anymore. I've never been concerned in Rogers Park. Plus, you're forgetting the OP is black. He's probably less likely to run into problems in those neighborhoods than if he was white.

I also agree with the red/brown line as previously mentioned. Once you get here, you'll realize you were worried over nothing.

[cfbs2691]

Mod cut: Orphaned comment (quoted post has been deleted).


What websites do people use for finding rentals?
Realtor.com or?

[Clark&Addison]

Originally Posted by cfbs2691

[snip]
What websites do people use for finding rentals?
Realtor.com or?

I think DOMU is the best for rentals in Chicago.

[kyost]

Originally Posted by xsboost

Thirty or maybe even twenty years ago I would've agreed on Uptown, but not anymore. I've never been concerned in Rogers Park. Plus, you're forgetting the OP is black. He's probably less likely to run into problems in those neighborhoods than if he was white.

I also agree with the red/brown line as previously mentioned. Once you get here, you'll realize you were worried over nothing.

Less than ten years ago when I went to Truman the neighborhood was still infested with P Stones, and the methadone clinic is still there. That being said, up by argyle and down by Buena Park it's nicer. And less than that maybe 5 years ago 2 different (black) guys got shot in broad daylight in Rogers pk over mistaken identity before the bangers finally got the dude they were looking for. Rogers park is too block by block for me to ever feel comfortable but to each their own.
Edit: not to mention if this dudes as oblivious as he thinks he is, rogers park is where that oblivious arizona couple got chased out of when they tried to be big city house flippers. The video went viral it's on youtube somewhere if you want to look it up but they pretty much made every single wrong move, talked to strangers got in fights with homeless people etc etc all because they thought Loyola was in a nice neighborhood.