Red Line at 12:30 am? (Chicago, Lincoln: condo, find a job, neighborhoods)

[Sailaway50]

For what it's worth, a friend of mine's husband (very city smart) was mugged for a watch and wallet at knifepoint on the steps going down to the Grand stop on the Red Line. 11:30 at night on a Friday. It just happened to be very deserted at that moment. He had worked late at his office and for some reason decided not to take a cab (lives in S. Loop). Happened very fast.

I would be leery of taking it alone, and as some posters have said, it's the in and out of the station that can be bad, depending on "where".

I only know the Red Line well, and I'd definitely not take the el late at night beyond the Roosevelt stop going South if I cold help it. After "events" the downtown stations are fine, as many young people go home after theater events, etc...but I wouldn't wait too long after an event to get on the train.

Took the Red Line from Harrison around 11 pm a few weekw ago and it was pretty unpleasant until Grand. Had four people with me. Extremely aggressive panhandlers in the station at Harrison. Really ridiculous. Never liked that stop, though.

Avoid the Wilson stop at night (see other thread on this).

I like to take buses to Linc Park at night. 151 or 36.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Perfect advice. Also, never walk the same way to and from the train every time. Keep some mace in your purse and never walk around talking on your phone without noticing what is going around you. It is an easy way to bring harm to yourself. And as others have said, do not think you can be drunk ,take public transit or walk anywhere and be totally safe ANYWHERE.

Seriously, if you follow this advice, and make sure to sit in the first el car, you will minimize your risk significantly.

Like I said, you'll likely never have any serious incidents, but the smarter you are, the more likely that will hold true.

[dragoro]

Yeah everythings fine. Doesn't hurt no more. We can if ya like. Aint like I'm scared of area just haven't had reason to go there. Its nothin special. Not like it was a bad area or anything. Just bad luck.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Seriously, if you follow this advice, and make sure to sit in the first el car, you will minimize your risk significantly.

Like I said, you'll likely never have any serious incidents, but the smarter you are, the more likely that will hold true.

You added a very great point. Being in the first car is very important. The train operator is there and the trash will avoid it more. Tha back of the train is the worst place to be for sure.

I will say that out of all the train lines the Red Line is the 2nd worst if not tied for first with the Green Line in terms of the chance of some B.S. happening while you are on it IMO. The Howard portion is better than the Dan Ryan portion, but overall the Red Line has far more troublemakers than most of the other lines.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by dragoro

Yeah everythings fine. Doesn't hurt no more. We can if ya like. Aint like I'm scared of area just haven't had reason to go there. Its nothin special. Not like it was a bad area or anything. Just bad luck.

Well if anything we can have a few beers while we are in the area. I am very curious where this happened...

[dragoro]

Just looked at a map to figure it out. Bar was on halsted bout 4 blocks north of fulleton. On west side of road.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by dragoro

Just looked at a map to figure it out. Bar was on halsted bout 4 blocks north of fulleton. On west side of road.

That is what I was thinking. Kingston Mines?

[dragoro]

Might be. Don't remember name of it.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by dragoro

Might be. Don't remember name of it.

I am pretty sure that is it.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

That is what I was thinking. Kingston Mines?

yes. I was thinking this too from the beginning.