East Garfield Park: Is it Worth the Risk? (Chicago, Lincoln: for rent, condos)

[binarybelle]

Thanks for your opinions, ajolotl and Damage Control. We'd actually be renting, not buying, and while it's not "dirt cheap," we certainly couldn't afford the same amount of space and amenities in any other part of town. That's what's making the decision so difficult.

[Avengerfire]

"East Garfield Park: Is it Worth the Risk?"

No.

[Humboldt1]

I looked at a place at 2510 W Washington, stone 3flat and did not get serious about buying it due to structural issues. That area is rough and may be okay in 10 years once the lofts are fully developed but it is not an area I would live in and I live in Humboldt Park, albeit the nicer northern part.

If you guys have good credit and interview well (look like well dressed yuppies) you should be able to negotiate a low rent in better areas.

As a landlord, I would certainly rent to a yuppie couple for $100 less than to some people I have rented just because I would expect fewer issues.

[Drover]

Since you're going in with your eyes open, at this point you'll have to assess your own tolerance for the more rough-and-tumble side of urban living. I don't know that any of us can add much; we've all done the same research you did.

[Venom]

You can live there.
Don't worry.

[synapse]

Originally Posted by binarybelle

Thanks for your opinions, ajolotl and Damage Control. We'd actually be renting, not buying, and while it's not "dirt cheap," we certainly couldn't afford the same amount of space and amenities in any other part of town. That's what's making the decision so difficult.

The area is just dicey. If you were any closer to Garfield Park itself, I might consider it - the L there is pretty busy and people go to and from the park. If you were any closer to the United Center I'd consider it - people are to and from the United Center all the time. But this address is right in between. It might be safe. It might not. My best advice would be to go past it a few times in the day, night, and during the winter and summer - I know you don't have time to do that, but that would be what I'd suggest. Is it likely you'd get shot going outside? Probably not. But is it as safe as Lakeview? No.

[Chicago60614]

I lived north of this area and would drive through on the way to 290 quite a bit. Honestly I have never gotten a good vibe from this area at all. East of there is much better, and West seemed more busy and safe. That stretch always freaked me out though, in the summer there were just a LOT of people standing around doing nothing. I actually saw my only real life drug deals happen along Washington and California right in the middle of the day as I was driving by.

[Johnny Northside]

EGP Safety Formula:

Calculate number of walks to/from El station per year. 1 pt. each
Add one bonus point for every such walk taken before dawn.
Add two bonus points for every such walk taken after dusk.
MULTIPLIER: Add the three numbers above and multiply by the number of blocks between home and the El station.

Add 50 points for each occasion you unsuccessfully attempt to get a cab to your residence when you really need it (doctors appointment, airport run, etc.) and instead walk for one on an unfamiliar route.

Add 200 points if you do not own a car. Deduct 100 points if you do own a car. Add 300 points after your car is stolen.

Add 1,000 points for each event at the United Center that you intend to walk home from. (Bulls/Blackhawks game, concert, circus, ice show, etc).
To account for increased danger later in the evening, add 100 points for each overtime period played during a sporting event. Add 500 points for a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Add 2,000 points if you own a dog or other animal that must be exercised in the public way.
EXCEPTION #1: Add 100 points if your dog is a German Shepherd or similar breed.
EXCEPTION #2: Deduct 200 points if your dog is a pit bull or rottweiler and enjoy new friendships forged in gravelly lot/dog park/fighting ring.

Add 2,000 points if you are a Chicago Public School teacher. Add 4,000 points if you are a Chicago Public School student. Can't add that high? You shouldn't have shot your teacher.

Take your point total, divide into your adjusted gross income and subtract your age. If your final total is greater than 3, do not move to East Garfield Park.

[pittsteelerfan]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Check out the shade for East Garfield Park in this violent crime map. It is quite literally in the highest echolon of Chicago crime (worse than Englewood or Austin). Not a place I'd want to live! Did I say five times the violent crime of Uptown? More like ten. Uptown is actually one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, despite appearances and petty crime.

I see my old nabe of "Edgewater" is among the safest! Like I've been saying ALL along! Thank you for PROVING MY POINT!

[ajolotl]

You're right. The Loop data is almost meaningless in this context -- it says absolutely nothing of your chances of actually experiencing a crime.

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Note that it's per capita. There are hundreds of thousands of people in the Loop each day, but not that many actual residents. So the per capita crime looks disproportionately high.