Is Hyde Park Safe? (Chicago: apartment, rentals, crime)

[crazylilkelly]

Hi,
I know Hyde Park in Chicago has a reputation for being pretty ghetto & I've seen some of it myself. I was wondering if anyone knew if some parts of Hyde Park were okay to rent an apt in. Off UofC campus of course. I'm considering applying to UofC hospital when I graduate & would like to be able to just walk to work.I'm just really concerned about safety. Thanks

[j33]

Hyde Park itself is lovely. If you got a job with University of Chicago, then I would strongly encourage you to consider moving to Hyde Park if you would like to walk to work. If you live right in Hyde Park, you'll be fine, there are plenty of amenities, it is dense and a lot of things are in walking distance ... and you have a lovely French resturant ( La Petite Folie, yes, I've eaten there and recommend it).

However, it is a bit of an island surrounded by some rough areas, and public transportation isn't that great to the rest of the city. The Metra and the #6 are probably your best bets.

In other words, I would have no problems suggesting that you consider looking into hyde park if you got a job with University of Chicago, it is a very nice place to live with a unique flavor, but has its drawbacks (surrounded by rough areas with limited public transportation options compared to some other parts of the city).

I see that you are coming from central Illinois. If you bring your car with you, make sure the place you are renting has parking, as parking in Hyde Park is rather tight, you'll want it included in your apartment, or you'll want to pay extra for a place to park (which is probably more likely than it being included with your apartment), you probably won't want to drive around looking for it.

[crazylilkelly]

Originally Posted by j33

Hyde Park itself is lovely. If you got a job with University of Chicago, then I would strongly encourage you to consider moving to Hyde Park if you would like to walk to work. If you live right in Hyde Park, you'll be fine, there are plenty of amenities, it is dense and a lot of things are in walking distance ... and you have a lovely French resturant ( La Petite Folie, yes, I've eaten there and recommend it).

However, it is a bit of an island surrounded by some rough areas, and public transportation isn't that great to the rest of the city. The Metra and the #6 are probably your best bets.

In other words, I would have no problems suggesting that you consider looking into hyde park if you got a job with University of Chicago, it is a very nice place to live with a unique flavor, but has its drawbacks (surrounded by rough areas with limited public transportation options compared to some other parts of the city).

I see that you are coming from central Illinois. If you bring your car with you, make sure the place you are renting has parking, as parking in Hyde Park is rather tight, you'll want it included in your apartment, or you'll want to pay extra for a place to park (which is probably more likely than it being included with your apartment), you probably won't want to drive around looking for it.

thanks for your input!

[chiroptera]

I don't live in Chicago - I'm in Michigan - but my brother has lived one block from Hyde Park for a few years, and I visit every few months. (Driving down on Monday, as a matter of fact!) He lives right on 53rd, and I have to say I have always been able to park on his block. When you get right close to the Uni it is extremely hard to find parking. He's about a mile from the hospital and I don't know that immediate vicinity.

I love that area....what the other poster says about some of the surrounding neighborhoods to be a bit rough is true. But I've walked all over, and depending which direction you go there's lots of nice neighborhoods and it feels pretty safe. Even the homeless people in Hyde Park are friendly.

[ITChick]

I agree with the other posters. Stay within the Hyde Park area for rentals and you'll be okay. It's a nice area with lots of things to do. Outside that immediate area can be a bit scary, especially at night. There are some really nice new areas right near the UofC that you'll probably want to live at. If you have to travel to downtown, try to go by car if you can.

[crazylilkelly]

thanks for your help everyone!

[chinab]

Hyde park is great. The residents are pretty eclectic, well-rounded, and intellectual. The lakefront is especially refreshing at night in Hyde Park. Parking is horrible. I wouldn't call hyde park ghetto, many residences have perfectly manicured lawns. It is located in the inner-city, however, so don't expect to be as carefree and oblivious to your surroundings while walking through certain areas. If you have your guard up, you will be fine! Some of the best Chicagoland eateries can be found in Hyde Park...

[Eclaire122]

I am also looking at moving into the Hyde Park area (as soon as I graduate & pass the NCLEX I am going to be a staff nurse at U of C). Are there any places in the area to stay away from or (better yet) places that are safer/better to move to? Or any particular apartment rental management places that I shouldn't even consider?

[crazylilkelly]

Originally Posted by Eclaire122

I am also looking at moving into the Hyde Park area (as soon as I graduate & pass the NCLEX I am going to be a staff nurse at U of C). Are there any places in the area to stay away from or (better yet) places that are safer/better to move to? Or any particular apartment rental management places that I shouldn't even consider?

you know what, you may want to go to allnurses.com forum & go under IL to post this message. Then, you can get info on the area from nurses that work at uofc.

[ReGoddess]

Hyde park is georgeous, only you need to be dropped by helecopter INTo Hyde park or you will get mugged, shot, etc. Area around is up and coming but not there yet. Hyde park is pricey, beautiful vintage homes, but some riff raff does walkk over,,,,,so property crime is high. One of my favorite zip codes. I ran a shoe store there for a while and we got ripped off a lot.