Reputation of Oakland/Kenwood

[ajolotl]

First, anything west of cottage is considered pioneerville. It is the ghetto.

That said, the area north of the park isn't so bad at all for being a ghetto. It is quiet and there aren't a lot of seedy characters hanging around. There are also some signs of redevelopment. I know a guy who bought a nice condo just west of where you are looking and doesn't seem to have any problems (married with one young child). I'm not a fan of NW Hyde Park even within the HP boundaries, so you wouldn't catch me buying a place north of Washington Park. There are U of C employees who could live in a lesser place in HP who choose to do it, though (even on King Drive). I've never heard of anything awful happening to anyone. Just expect to secure your stuff very well and not be hanging out outside too late at night. Also beware that the U of C police do not patrol west of cottage. However, they do patrol down to 64th and up to 38th. You might want to look also for a cheap rental on 63rd or so east of cottage.

Originally Posted by hpnewbie

I'm hoping to revive this thread to get some insight into an "almost Kenwood" neighborhood? Due to limited finances, job and school location, etc. etc. we are considering renting (or maybe buying into?) a place at 50th and Champlaign (one block west of Cottage Grove). I've pored over this board, and can't find any info. Trying to practice my due diligence, it seems like the area is very quiet, but still close enough to drive down to HP for restaurants if we choose to.
Husband and I have been to Hyde Park and some parts of Kenwood for our job interviews, but this neighborhood (50th/Champlaign) is a complete mystery to us except that the price is right and the location could possibly be a good mix for us (as far as proximity to workplace, diversity, etc. etc.). I'm worried, though, that the lack of mention of this area means the neighborhood is quiet because it's a wasteland...? Thanks, everyone.

[hpnewbie]

Thanks chett and ajolotl, that's the kind of information I was hoping for. We are not social butterflies and would even prefer a more quiet, out-of-the-way neighborhood, but we don't want to be stranded if we do feel like going out on a weekend.
Through statistics like everyblock alone, the neighborhood seems ok as far as safety, but we have no way to gauge whether the neighborhood is on its way up, or on its way down. Even if the neighborhood has been, and will be, as is for awhile, we are ok with that. We just don't want to be caught in a neighborhood that's on its way down (and, since the only first-hand accounts we've heard have expressed the opinion that all of the southside is on its way down, we have no idea what the real situation is). Any further opinions or info would be welcomed, thanks in advance!

[ajolotl]

The entire south side is not getting worse. There are neighborhoods that fall on both sides of the equation. Areas surrounding HP are definitely improving. However, progress can be very, very slow, so no guarantees that you'll see too much improvement over several years. Access to entertainment from that area is very good. You can fly up state street and be in the south loop in 15 minutes.

[chet everett]

I agree with ajolotl -- there are parts of the southside that definately are improving, but in general the pace is slow and uneven. In some ways the composition of individual blocks changes dramatically when some one with vision buys a place that had long been owned by absent landlords. Most times those changes are for the better, but occasionally those new buyers go bust and things sink lower.

Given how much inventory there is in new construction in the southloop that tends to damp down the rents that any one can get and that is turn limits the kinds of renovation that owners make...