Division & Pulaski - After one year here, I just need to vent. (Bridgeport: neighborhoods, university)

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by JohnCU

My two daughters (20 and 23) are on the verge of leasing an apartment at Division and Winchester. They both have reasonable common sense which hopefully they will employ....should I discourage them from this location?

I'll be just up the street a ways at Winchester and North. I'd say I preferred my location to one I saw at Honore and Division (just east of Winchester and Division)... but only because of the crazy easy access to the el and the slightly shorter walk to the six corners. I would have felt plenty safe there.

[j33]

Originally Posted by JohnCU

My two daughters (20 and 23) are on the verge of leasing an apartment at Division and Winchester. They both have reasonable common sense which hopefully they will employ....should I discourage them from this location?

Not at all, I've lived in the area for five plus years and have had no problems (I'm a woman too). It is a lovely area.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

In spite of the residual sketchiness in Wicker Park (which just makes it cooler to the hipster crowd), much of this city is actually quite nice and liveable. Hundreds of thousands of people live in Chicago for years without getting robbed or burglarized. But you're in a big city now, so you have to expect some problems from time to time. For cryin' out loud, you're from Detroit of all places. Or are you one of those so-called Detroiters who was afraid to leave the suburbs?

Unfortunately, the OP's experience is Exhibit A over why newcomers to the City should be very careful about where they choose to live. The "cutting edge" neighborhoods may sound sexy, urban and rebellious but when you boil it down, tried and true neighborhoods like Lincoln Park are probably the best bet for most folks first moving to the City.

When I first came to the City, I lived in Lakeview, and then moved to Logan Square. The difference was night and day, and ranged from little things (courtesy on the roadways, constant car alarms blaring, general noise) to big things (being chased by 4 gangbangers, gun shots at night). I wouldn't condemn the whole city based on someone's experience in Humbolt Park but, yes, some areas of the City are definitely not pleasant to live in.

[Humboldt1]

Don't condemn all of Humboldt Park. It is certainly not the safest area but there certainly areas that are okay and those that are not. As a rule of thumb if you stay in the hispanic majority parts. The black parts of humboldt (south of grand) are the worst. Those living at division or south of there can attest that the southern (almost completely black) parts of humboldt park are a dangerous ghetto. The northern parts mirrors more closely western logan square (which is only a few blocks north of my block) much more closely than the southern areasm which mirror garfield park.

Stick with the hispanic areas in humboldt park and you will be much safer (though not as safe as wicker park or bucktown generally).

[lz0]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Unfortunately, the OP's experience is Exhibit A over why newcomers to the City should be very careful about where they choose to live. The "cutting edge" neighborhoods may sound sexy, urban and rebellious but when you boil it down, tried and true neighborhoods like Lincoln Park are probably the best bet for most folks first moving to the City.

Did I come off sounding like a noob to the city? I'm born and raised in Chicago, actually. Lived in worse neighborhoods (e.g. Marquette Park) as a kid. It's a different world as a young woman, though. I really thought I had a good set of street smarts--vigilant, assertive, no-nonsense etc. You can only do so much to avoid trouble, though. In a neighborhood like this, it seems like it will eventually seek you out.

Originally Posted by eevee

hey, we may have been neighbors, I live around Keeler and Division. I didn't have any of the serious issues you had (maybe because I "blend in", being a black female), but have noticed some of the issues you mentioned.

Yep, I'm just a few blocks east of you. Keep safe until you move out. Best of luck in Pilsen! And I'd always meant to try Jimmy's, but never got around to it.

As an afterthought, I really think this neighborhood should be differentiated from Humboldt Park. HP is so big and ambiguous, and covers many drastically different economic and cultural pockets. My area has more in common with Austin or Garfield Park than with anything east or north of Humboldt Park itself. I think this is a source of some confusion for people new to the area, who have heard about the hip, edgy eastern edge of Humboldt Park, but don't realize that this far west, you may as well be in Austin.

[hotblue]

If you still check messages, I wanted to know about the block of Keeler and Division, my husband and I saw a gorgeous place but we thought it seemed a little shady (the area). Also, the neighbors had a huge Corso Mastiff; this was also scary because we have a smal lab. I am a 32 year old blonde in school and my husband is 34. Please tell me exactly what you think about what our experience would be with the people in the neighborhood. I guess what I mean is how violent was it and do you know about the particular block that I am asking about? Thanks. Alli

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by hotblue

If you still check messages, I wanted to know about the block of Keeler and Division, my husband and I saw a gorgeous place but we thought it seemed a little shady (the area). Also, the neighbors had a huge Corso Mastiff; this was also scary because we have a smal lab. I am a 32 year old blonde in school and my husband is 34. Please tell me exactly what you think about what our experience would be with the people in the neighborhood. I guess what I mean is how violent was it and do you know about the particular block that I am asking about? Thanks. Alli

Do not move around there for any reason. I dont care what color you are-that area is unsafe.

[hotblue]

I am thinking about moving by Division and Keeler. I am a 32 yr old blonde woman and my husband's 35, is it safe? What other neighborhood could it be compared to? I did notice bangers (looked like) hanging out on porches but I always felt gangs won't hurt their neighbors, please let me know, I've had my eye on a gorgeous place. I did notice my would be neighbor has a vicious looking Corso Mastiff, which scares me since I have a small lab.

[Avengerfire]

Division and Keeler sucks. Why do I have to compare the neighborhood to another? The area sucks.

Why do you have to state that you are a blond woman? I dont care if you are purple with green hair,the area sucks.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Division and Keeler sucks. Why do I have to compare the neighborhood to another? The area sucks.

Why do you have to state that you are a blond woman? I dont care if you are purple with green hair,the area sucks.

Hah! Funny post. Funny because it's true. I'm locked out of giving you rep, though.