Humboldt Park - how's this particular location? (Chicago, Palatine: section 8, apartments)

[Jokaman70]

I'm moving from Denver to Chicago and I've found a place that I think might work out but I'm not sure about the location. I'm a bit worried about the apartment's location as it's right near Humboldt Park (literally facing the park). The apartment's near the intersection of N Kedzie Ave & W Hirsch St - how is that area?

Thanks a lot!

[Mister Mappy]

Truthfully? It's gotten better, but it's not the greatest area.

[Jesse69]

I used to work out at that park at night after work. There are cops that patrol that area, and they told me watch out riding my $3818 bike - someone might jump me for it for drug money. Sometimes biking in the park I passed a car that smelled like bo. But I'd say living right by the park is ok. My hispanic white looking friend lived there a few years and never suffered any crime. I'm a mile away from that park too. The Puerto Rican food stands in the park have some nice food, like some kinda potato ball with meat in it.

It'd be a nice place to work out after work! I haven't run into thug there either.

[Banx]

It's weird, it's all blacks on one side of the park and all puerto ricans on the other. It's alot better than it used to be, you will be fine.

[Avengerfire]

There is no way would I move there if I had a choice. What is your budget and where will you be working or going to school?

[Humboldt1]

Banx,

All blacks on one side and all puerto rican on the other? Not hardly. So long as you stay north of grand west of the park it is mostly puerto rican and mexican, more mexican the further west you go.

Grand is more of the racial dividing line along with division street though you will find a few blacks north of grand and a few hispanics south of grand west of the park.

Hirsch and North is an okay area with challenges but there are certainly much worse parts of Humboldt Park as you go south and west. I run on the periphery of the park several times a week, never inside but I also run at 9pm.

There is a flashing blue light at kedzie and division as well as two other flashing blue lights just west of kedzie north of division. West of kedzie I would not go south of division. It is ghetto west of kedzie south of division, not a good area to be in.

If you are new to the area I would suggest looking at places east of the park, as there will be more nightlife and restaurants.

I have lived in Humboldt Park, west of the park since July 06 and know the area as well as anyone else. Feel free to ask me questions and I will give you straight answers.

[potter]

Beach and Spaulding, which is basically a few blocks from where you are looking is the main headquarters for the Latin Kings in Chicago. There is a Blue flashing police light above that corner. There is tons of dope dealing near kedzie and Hirsch. I would not recommend that area to my worst enemy.

[cubssoxfan]

How is the area around Pierce & Homan (North & Homan) nowadays? My Oma used to live there until the late 80's. I would always notice the freshly boarded up apartments or buildings and the newest graffitti. Or maybe it was my Mom pointing it out so my suburban a*# wouldn't get too big for its britches or get into the gimme gimme keep up wiht the Jonses mentality. I do know one of Oma's neighbors from Humboldt Park, visited her in Palatine in the late 90's and said the neighborhood had seen definite improvement, but still had a ways to go. It is interesting to hear the first hand history of the neigborhood from those who moved in during the mid 50's and those who fled 15-20 years later. Very glad to hear it is improving.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

How is the area around Pierce & Homan (North & Homan) nowadays? My Oma used to live there until the late 80's...

It still is not so hot.

What does Oma mean? Grandmother? What language is that?

[potter]

North and Homan is still plagued with drugs and gangs. Many homes and apts. are section 8 in this area.