HELP! Is South Racine Avenue a bad area? (Chicago, Genoa: house, neighborhood)

[Softflower13]

We are going into the Chicago area and we would like to know if the area we are coming to is a bad one. The zip code is 60643. The location is near the intersection of Vincennes and 99th.

[sweeti1980]

its ok, dont let these people scare u away, not glamorous, but livable

[Drover]

It's not "OK." Don't let people trivialize how dicey the area is. It's certainly not one you'll want to spend a lot of quality time in. In the last full year for which data is available, there have been 5 murders within a half-mile radius of the intersection of 99th and Vincennes, including one right at that intersection. If you're just visiting, you should be OK. If you're looking for a place to live, consider other options, unless your idea of "liveable" is closer to sweeti's than mine. If you are looking for a place to live, look on the West side of Beverly avenue. I'm not sure what sort of magic occurs in the three blocks between Vincennes and Beverly Avenues that makes the west side of Beverly Avenue that much safer than the East side, but it really does make a difference.

[mcgoof23]

Agree with Drover...that location is the definition of "dicey". Not sure what your criteria are for finding a place, but if you can afford it try about a mile west of there. Wood St. is a pretty nice area, and probably not as expensive as it is west of the tracks.

[NSH]

The area is 99% african american, that does not make it a horrible neighborhood however, it's in a very liveable area of the city with good shopping and average to decent schools. In fact, Michael Jordan bought his mother a house about 10 years back at 98th & Genoa,which is only a few blocks away.