River North, crime? (Chicago, Montgomery, Franklin: hardwood floors, apartment, for rent)

[HRTplz]

Hi, I just wanted to ask a quick question since I've just accepted a job and am moving to Chicago!

So I was thinking of living in River North, or West Loop, (and yes I've read the sticky abt neighborhoods) I was wondering about what ppl thought of crime in those areas.

I know most people say that downtown is quite good about crime, but looking at clearmap

Chicago Police Department CLEARMAP - Crime Summary

it seems that much of rivernorth and parts of the westloop have high levels of crime, whereas when you move to the south loop or the northern part of the gold coast to lincoln park the crime goes down dramatically.

I was looking at index crimes (more serious crimes). When you look at violent crime, then all of downtown seems to look the same(and safe)

can anyone comment on this? Thanks!

[Chicagoland60426]

River North and the West Loop are almost completely gentrified. Since Chicago is a big city, like every big city you going to have pity crimes in the downtown area. All you need is just use a little bit of street smarts and you be ok.

[chet everett]

There are many tourists in the River North area and many places to get drunk -- a combination that leads to many non-violent arrests. West loop has a similar situation, as well as an awful lot of opportunity for property crime with many people not accustomed to leaving expensive bicycles poorly protected or people living up the street from areas with lots of pass through traffic not giving adequate consideration to locking their car and apartment.

If you are aware of such things it is not likely that you will have a problem.

[i_am_hydrogen]

River North is a pretty safe neighborhood. I wouldn't give a second thought to living there. West of Wells between Division and Chicago, however, can be a little dicey because of Cabrini Green. Thankfully, most of it has been demolished and only a handful of buildings are still standing.

[Drover]

The crime reports only tell you the number of crimes, they don't tell you the crimes per capita. So keeping all else equal, of course you're going to have more "volume" of crime in one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the city. If you're worried about living in River North, you probably shouldn't live anywhere in the city.

[HRTplz]

No, I'm not really worried, I've lived in many different urban environments, just wanted to double check with you all. Been reading this forum for the past month and you all seem very knowedgeable so I wanted to tap that resource.

just wanted to check also - would you say that river west and south loop are also good?

Thanks again

[Drover]

As far as urban environments go, all three are fine.

[irfan]

Im moving to the city or suburbs (i work way the h*** out in elgin, tested the commute to be about 1.25 hours out, 1 in, work 10-6), but of course I want to live in the city. I dont know many people at all in the area (2 in burbs, 2 in city) so I want to be around other people 20-30...

anyway, looking for places to rent I saw a pretty new condo development with units for rent.. I dont remember the address but its N. Franklin just north of chicago ave... I think maybe 849 N Franklin. the unit is very nice since its pretty new, with indoor parking included.. and what I thought was pretty cheap .. 1500 for a one bedroom, hardwood floors, granite counter, stainless appliances, south view 6th floor w/ balcony. i figured this should be in the 1800 maybe 2000 range with parking.. but its 1500...

its about 2 blocks east from where i heard cabrinigreen was/is.. short walk to brown line... do you think its too close?

[Lookout Kid]

You'd be right in the heart of the Moody Bible Institute, and very close to the Chicago Ave. Brown Line stop. It's pretty close to the Cabrini low-rises, but actually isn't a bad spot at all. You would just have to take minor precautions at night, etc. I know many people who live in that area--and some in the old Montgomery Ward complex--and they all love it. It's better to be east of Cabrini than west of Cabrini. Your probability of being mugged is a little bit higher than further to the south and east, but it's definitely not a war zone by any means.

[irfan]

thanks for the reply. if i had a roomate id have no worries at all... but i'd probably be walking home drunk every now and then, which could lead to issues i guess. maybe i should just fork over for a cab when i go out.