house sitting near 53rd and greenwood, hyde park, is this relatively safe? (Chicago: real estate, rent) - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

formerburb · 04-28-2008, 01:18 AM

as the title states we are going to be house sitting in Hyde park near 53rd and greenwood. Is this a relatively safe area? The owners of the house are both profs at UofC and Northwestern. They have lived there for 20 years and said they have never had a problem.

Any thoughts? I don't think we will do much wandering at night but the owners said they feel safe at night going to from Metra as well as early in the morning.

I know there are crimes that happen but what about general safety, especially during the day? I know it is nearing drexel and washington parks but is it far enough away to avoid some of those problems?

We will just be in there for the summer and it will be free rent! Any thoughts would be great!

eevee · 04-28-2008, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerburb

We will just be in there for the summer and it will be free rent! Any thoughts would be great!

NO, it's a war zone! It's crazy down there! I think you should just DM me and let me do this instead. I will sacrifice myself for the greater good

/sarcasm

I swear I was just joking. I would love to have free rent for the summer...

if the folks that lived there for 2 decades feel safe, I'm sure you'll have no major worries. just in case, maybe this link would help (you can search for crimes by neighborhood)

Chicago crime data (formerly chicagocrime.org) | EveryBlock Chicago

hope this helps (and if it doesn't and you change your mind, you know who to DM...

)

Manigault · 04-28-2008, 07:44 AM

We just had this discussion last week. That intersection is patrolled by two police agencies and the secret service. It is safe.

formerburb · 04-28-2008, 07:57 AM

thanks for the info. I just wanted a perspective on the area other than from that of the owners. Thanks!

in regards to Washington Park, is it safe to use? It seems so nice but I believe the other side of Wasthington park from Hyde Park is a rougher area.

Lookout Kid · 04-28-2008, 08:09 AM

You know, we can say that it's safe all day and something could still happen to you. It's the city. I personally wouldn't hesitate to use Washington Park in the daylight hours near the Hyde Park side, but you do have to watch your back any time you're not fully in public view.

Hyde Park is one of the safer neighborhoods in the city, but it's not without problems and is surrounded by some really tough real estate. Use common sense, but don't walk around in fear.

Manigault · 04-28-2008, 09:10 AM

I'd agree that Washington Park is safe to use during the day; particularly when there are many people about. The park is really huge and the southern end is wooded and remote. The western edge of the park is King Drive and the Washington Park neighborhood. While there are new condos and conversions on the northern and western edges of the park, these are still depressed areas with many vacant lots west of the park.

This weekend I saw all sorts of joggers using the park; along with the baseball and cricket players. The park happens to be bi-sected by a major route for Hyde Park folks to get to Midway. In the summer there is at least one festival every few weeks in the park so it can be interesting to explore.

53rd and Greenwood is only slightly closer to WA Park then to the lakefront. Both areas are patrolled by police on bicycles and the occasional mounted police officer.

Chicago60614 · 04-28-2008, 07:07 PM

I was just down in this area, at 55th and Greenwood, and the whole area was gorgeous. I was very surprised and very impressed. Some of the most amazing homes I've seen in the city.

We were in the park, and it was full of people playing soccar, softball, cricket and rugby. It was a very nice park.

Have your wits about you, but this certainly isn't a neighborhood like you imagine when you hear "south side"

Avengerfire · 04-28-2008, 07:12 PM

Oh, like the Secret Service is there trying to protect more than one family that lives around there. lol

Manigault · 04-28-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Oh, like the Secret Service is there trying to protect more than one family that lives around there. lol

Most folks would not attempt a robbery in front of car with a law enforcement agent carrying a gun.

I was on the CTA today at 4 pm on 55th st & Greenwood going to the Green Line. It was a third students, a third tourists and a third local residents. A strange mix. Coming back at 7:30 it was 80% locals and 20% students.

Avengerfire · 04-28-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manigault

Most folks would not attempt a robbery in front of car with a law enforcement agent carrying a gun.

I was on the CTA today at 4 pm on 55th st & Greenwood going to the Green Line. It was a third students, a third tourists and a third local residents. A strange mix. Coming back at 7:30 it was 80% locals and 20% students.

Well they might 1 or 2 blocks away from him though. I mean unless you are living within a couple hundred feet of the "annointed one" I do not think the SS makes you too much safer at least at this point in that area. Now if you lived within a few blocks of the mayor that does make you much safer.