Neighborhood around Taylor and Racine (Chicago, Lexington: low income, sales, apartment complex)

[Lookout Kid]

Drover is right in that there is a good-sized dash of "urban hell" in the vicinity of Tri-Taylor/Little Italy. But stay tuned... This is one of the most rapidly changing areas of the city, and today's news about the area is already outdated. I for one am very curious to see the outcome of the changes on the near southwest side. I feel safer in my little corner of Uptown, however.

[mcgoof23]

I moved from near that area about a year ago to get out of my rapidly shrinking condo (kids will do that), and my wife and I still miss the neighborhood. We lived there for about 5 years. While there are certainly some elements of the neighborhood changing that I don't like, the good far outweighs the bad imo. We could always take our son for walks without feeling nervous, although I wouldn't send my wife out on her own at night (but then again, what neighborhood would you do that in these days?). There are tons of great restaurants in the area (gotta go to RoSal's if you haven't already been there, we still go back a couple times a year), some more bars have opened up on Taylor and nearby Maxwell St., and there are parks within walking distance. You can't beat the convenience of living near all the major expressways, and walking distance to the blue line for a 10 minute trip downtown.

One comment on the projects - while most are now torn down, it isn't as if the shady element has disappeared. Some may have just moved into the first floor apartments in the new buildings, or to nearby projects. South of Roosevelt closer to Ashland is a pretty nasty area, which is really right at Little Italy's doorstep. Although you will find that the longtime residents of the neighborhood are very protective, against both that element and the gentrification of the area.

[NearWestSider]

I mostly agree with what you are saying, but the demise of Taylor Liquors has had a major impact on Taylor/Racine.

Actually, I kind of miss Taylor Liquors. The place was a real hoot, an odd combination of ghetto blacks, yuppie whites, and hoodied college students.

Where else could you find an ENTIRE COOLER full of Mad Dog and Wild Irish Rose? Not even Lucky's on Ashland at Roosevelt had Taylor's extensive selection of hooch wine!

Oh well, that's the price of progress, I suppose.

[Avengerfire]

ABLA Homes aka Roosevelt Square

Tenancy: Family
Number of Apartments: 184
Bedroom Type: 1, 2, 3, 4
Accessible Units

What to know were Section 8 "projects" are in your area in Chicago and Cook County? Look on this link.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority - Map

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

ABLA Homes aka Roosevelt Square

Tenancy: Family
Number of Apartments: 184
Bedroom Type: 1, 2, 3, 4
Accessible Units

What to know were Section 8 "projects" are in your area in Chicago and Cook County? Look on this link.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority - Map

Isn't it true that they no longer call these subsidies "Section 8"? They were smart to get rid of that tainted term!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Isn't it true that they no longer call these subsidies "Section 8"? They were smart to get rid of that tainted term!

Yes, it is true.

[miserylovesco.]

I lived in that neighborhood for three years, it was quiet and cheap.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Isn't it true that they no longer call these subsidies "Section 8"? They were smart to get rid of that tainted term!

What do they call them now?

[Drover]

Who knows, and it doesn't matter. The taint belongs to the program, not its name. So whatever new name they gave it will assume the same stigma the old one had.

[Humboldt1]

My dad just calls it "rent control", whatever they want to call it. He has never rented to someone in such a program.

The only way I would support "rent control" would be if I were a slumlord looking to profit from it. I like to sleep at night and will be doing no such thing.