25 yr old interested in south loop (wood floors, apartments, crime rate)

[Renee9999]

okay, I have read other posts, and have gained some information, but I still feel unclear about some things. I am a 25 year old female that is graduating college within a few months, and moving to chicago. I was born and raised in Memphis. So I am somewhat familiar with life in a city. I lived in the suburbs, however most nightlife is in downtown memphis, and I worked downtown as well. So i've spent alot of time there, and i've always felt comfortable downtown despite the fact that there is alot of crime. I dont know if yall have noticed, but we took the "honor" of highest crime rate in the country. the area in chicago i'm most interested in so far is south loop. It seems to have exactly what i'm looking for, I love the apartments with doormen, and garage parking, and laundry in the unit. those are all major factors for me. I also really like the asthetics with the exposed brick, wood floors, kinda vintage looking. however, i'm reading things saying that young women shouldnt be live there alone, especially traveling after dark. But as others have said, feeling safe is relative to the person. So finally my question is that if i've always felt safe in memphis, is south loop so much different, should I rethink this area? Thank you for any advice!

[ajolotl]

South Loop is fine. It wouldn't be my top choice compared to a number of near-north-side neighborhoods, but it's been getting steadily more interesting over the years. I wouldn't worry about crime any more than anywhere else, except perhaps on the extreme fringes. Main issue is what transport you want to be near (highway, L or metra lines, etc.). That usually dictates where people live, and south loop is somewhat more limited in terms of mass transit options (depending on exactly where you live), so I would study carefully.

[Chicagoland60426]

Right now, the South Loop is being gentrified. It use be ghetto 10 years ago, but now its safe. You be ok in the South Loop, as long as you don't go all the way down to 22nd & State, that where the Harold Ickes Projects are, but even that is changing for the better, and might be knock down in 5 years or so.

[Renee9999]

thanks very much for replying. i was nervous to ask since there are a million people asking for neighborhood advice. and as far as there not being much going on there, I figure that things to do are a short ride away. plus, i'm not moving for at least another 8 months, so maybe by that time there will be more in the area. hopefully not too much more though, even though i'm young I dont necessarily feel the need to live in a busy happening area. so anyways, thanks again!