South Avenue "O"???? (Chicago: transfer, neighborhood, buses)

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Michteacher76

A peaceful and somewhat quiet neighborhood is what I am looking for....with the option of using public transportation to reach other areas of the city. On visits to Chicago, we have used the CTA....so I have no experience with the South Shore trains and how they work (ie, the cost, can you transfer to CTA trains, etc.) I have no issue figuring out how to get to the 95th stop on the red line, but of course do not want to use it if it is unsafe, etc.

Thanks for the info on the East Side....I definitely will be checking into it next week when I am there. Would you suggest the East Side over Hegewisch, South Chicago, and South Shore neighborhoods? (Are they worth my time exploring?)

I don't really get the impression that the East Side neighborhood is one of the better parts of Chicago in terms of public transportation options. And I personally have never used the Red Line south of 35th Street, nor do I intend to. I have a feeling that it wouldn't be a good idea, but keep in mind that's merely my perception, which may or may not match the reality.

As for Hegewisch, I think it's pretty similar to the East Side in character -- very modest, down-to-earth, blue-collar, and family-oriented -- although more remote and isolated (but you do have the South Shore line train stop right there connecting you with downtown... although you can't "transfer" to CTA from it in terms of fares -- you have to pay each separately). Definitely check Hegewisch out for a similar area.

I would say that South Shore and South Chicago would tend to be sketchier areas... but keep in mind I'm going by impressions and don't really have extensive personal experience in either area.

[Michteacher76]

Are there better CTA options from South Chicago or South Shore? Or would it be similar to East Side and Hegewisch?

[andrew61]

I'm not familiar with CTA options from South Chicago and South Shore. However, you might want to check out the Metra commuter rail service -- one branch of their University Park line ends at 93rd Street in South Chicago:

Metra - Electric Line

Again, this will connect you with downtown Chicago... but you can't "transfer" to CTA in terms of fares; they're both separate.

[andrew61]

BTW, here's the CTA website in case you haven't yet found it. It might be of some help because there's a "Trip Planner" link where you can figure out how to use CTA to get from Point A to Point B:

Chicago Transit Authority

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Manigault

That there is what we call a matter of opinion.

I would say Drovers opinion of 95th and the Dan Ryan is probably the same as about 90% of the people in the city also. And none of them are wrong either.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I would say Drovers opinion of 95th and the Dan Ryan is probably the same as about 90% of the people in the city also. And none of them are wrong either.

I would say 31.97% of the people in the city.

[Chuckity]

95th & the Dan Ryan isn't a bad area - an urban area yes, but I'm a white female and I wouldn't have a problem taking the train from there. Chicago State is right over there, a few blocks to the west and you're in Evergreen Park - 95th street is a pretty commercial street. That's the area where I (and the majority of my white friends) drove on city streets to get our driver's license on Martin Luther King Drive. (Thanks to that we can parrallel park better than any of our suburban peers. LOL)

The problem with getting to 95th & the Dan Ryan from the East Side and especially from Hegewisch is that it's a pain in the ass and if you want to drive there, there's pretty much no real available parking.

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I would say Drovers opinion of 95th and the Dan Ryan is probably the same as about 90% of the people in the city also. And none of them are wrong either.

The thing is that 90% of the city has not been to 95th & the Ryan. 75% of the people who have been there have been inside of cars. I think it most resembles the Howard Street terminus of the Red line. All kinds of folks use that Howard station, too.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Manigault

That there is what we call a matter of opinion.

Well I don't know a lot of people who think Roseland is a particularly awesome place, but to each their own.

And whoever said Evergreen Park is "a few blocks away," try three MILES away. Everyone with the barest hint of familiarity with this town knows that the quality of neighborhoods can go up, then down, then back up, then back down, within the space of three miles.

[Michteacher76]

Another quick question: Are Metra Electric trains and South Shore trains two different things? Is one better than the other? Does either one have transfers with CTA? (Okay, more than ONE quick question) Can both be used from the East Side?