Jeff Park and Mayfair (Albany, Gladstone: real estate, apartment, violent crime) - Chicago - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

psr13 · 10-27-2008, 04:01 AM

I looked at the sticky about FAQ's and don't think this has been asked before. My husband and I are looking for a two bedroom apartment. We're planning on adoption a kid through foster care which is why we need two beds. Anyway, I found two on craigslist, but I want to make sure that they are safe. The reason I hesitate is that the prices seem low (900). I read that both neighborhoods are safe but that gangs are moving in. So the first is at Bryn Mawr and Marmora in Jefferson Park. The other is at 5101 N Tipp Ave in Mayfair which I understand is technically a part of Jefferson Park. We don't care about nightlife. Our main concern is safety. Thank you all for your help.

Mister Mappy · 10-27-2008, 11:08 AM

Bryn Mawr & Marmora would be safer. I don't think the Tripp add is too bad, though. I think Mayfair is technically part of Albany Park, not Jefferson Park.

Lookout Kid · 10-27-2008, 11:40 AM

I wouldn't say "gangs are moving in". They moved in years ago. And now these neighborhoods actually seem to be getting better these days, not worse. I'd say the gangs are already there, but are perhaps moving out, not in.

psr13 · 10-27-2008, 04:16 PM

So, then it would be fine? I don't plan on walking around at night. I never do that anyway. Oh yeah, are there any racial tensions in those areas? I ask because I'm white, my husband is Filipino, and we will probably adopt a black kid.

Avengerfire · 10-27-2008, 06:57 PM

Gangs are still moving into Jefferson Park-they have been since the late 80's. JP is very slowly going down. Jefferson Park is still by far the better place to live out of the two however. The northern end of JP is far better than the southern end of JP.

Much of Albany Park has had major gang problems since the 70's. It has improved greatly in the last 10 years or so though. It is slowly improving...

By the way-Bryn Mawr and Marmora is in Gladstone Park neighborhood. Jefferson Park is the community it is in.

Avengerfire · 10-27-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Mappy

Bryn Mawr & Marmora would be safer. I don't think the Tripp add is too bad, though. I think Mayfair is technically part of Albany Park, not Jefferson Park.

You are very correct on both counts.

Mayfair Park is in Albany Park community.

psr13 · 10-27-2008, 07:33 PM

When you say gangs are still moving in would you not suggest we move there? Or should we be fine?

Lookout Kid · 10-27-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Gangs are still moving into Jefferson Park-they have been since the late 80's. JP is very slowly going down.

What basis do you have for this? I know the Latino presence in Jeff Park grew through the beginning of this decade, but it seems to me that things have stabilized a bit, and I know several young families headed by professionals who are moving into the area. Crime is still very low in Jefferson Park, and isn't getting worse according to statistics. I really don't think the neighborhood is in any state of decline. I think it's in the early stages of revitalization after a slight decline in the 1980s-early 2000s. It's still one of the safest areas of the city, and there is very little violent crime there.

Avengerfire, I know you have some longstanding ties to the area, but maybe you need to look at it with a fresh set of eyes. Old timers always think their neighborhood is in decline.

Lookout Kid · 10-27-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psr13

When you say gangs are still moving in would you not suggest we move there? Or should we be fine?

It's a safe area for the city, and is safer than many inner suburbs. But it's still largely working class in spite of the real estate prices, and there is a large Latino presence there that does include some gang activity, even though the vast majority of Latino Jeff Park residents are hard-working people who care for their homes and yards with great attention to detail.

psr13 · 10-27-2008, 07:42 PM

OK. Thanks. We're going to check out the Bryn Mawr one on Monday when we get back into town. I'm from an inner city, so I have lived in a bad place before. My city growing up used to be one of the worst gang cities in the country, and the popuation is only 150,000. I just don't want to raise a kid in a place like that. If what you said is true it sounds like a good place.