Safety Around Grand and Western (Chicago, River Forest: apartments, lease, month-to-month)

[jonfish]

Hey everyone,
I'm planning on moving from a suburb to Ukrainian village so I can take the western metra stop up to deerfield for a new job. I will be walking to Grand and Western about two to three times a week for work and want to stay within about a mile and a half of that intersection. I worked with a guy who's brother was killed in Homboldt park and have heard nothing good about that part of the city. How far away should I stay from it? East of western? East of California? What streets do I want to stay between? My job requires me to carry several pieces of technology and I want to stay as safe as possible when walking back in the evening.

[ChiMack]

so you are moving to the city to go back to the suburbs..lol

but anyway the general rule of thumb is stay east of western

[jonfish]

Well I just graduated and am living with my parents in a west burb (OPRF) for the next two months or so until I get situated with my job. Northern suburbs seem like a boring place to live unless you are married and whatnot. I have always wanted to live in Chicago.

[surlycue]

If you're only doing the commute two or three times a week it won't be too grueling. But that kind of reverse commuting does get old fast so I'd try to find a short term lease or month-to-month in case your job requires you to pick up more hours. I certainly wouldn't want a 1.5-2 hour commute daily.

I would agree with the previous poster to stay east of western, especially since you'll be south of division. however, directly west of western near the metra the area of humboldt park by smith park is fairly quiet and relatively safe. that would be a good area to check for a quick walk to the station. you'll be thanking yourself in the winter months.

[Avengerfire]

I think you should live in Lakeview or something and take the bus to the Metra. I do not think you know enough about the city if you do not know where Humboldt Park is.

[jonfish]

Originally Posted by surlycue

If you're only doing the commute two or three times a week it won't be too grueling. But that kind of reverse commuting does get old fast so I'd try to find a short term lease or month-to-month in case your job requires you to pick up more hours. I certainly wouldn't want a 1.5-2 hour commute daily.

I would agree with the previous poster to stay east of western, especially since you'll be south of division. however, directly west of western near the metra the area of humboldt park by smith park is fairly quiet and relatively safe. that would be a good area to check for a quick walk to the station. you'll be thanking yourself in the winter months.

Good call with Smith Park looks like a nice area, just checked out a couple of nice looking apartments on craigslist. I shouldn't have to worry about picking up extra hours, I get to work from home and will probably be working more than 40 as it is.

2 hour round trip commute doesn't seem all that uncommon. Even when I was doing a regular commute into the city on the green line it would take me about 15 minutes to walk to the end of the green line, 35 minutes to get to clark/lake, and 7 minutes to walk to my building. Thats pretty close to two hours round trip.

Thanks for the input

[jonfish]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I think you should live in Lakeview or something and take the bus to the Metra. I do not think you know enough about the city if you do not know where Humboldt Park is.

Are you kidding? Where did I ever indicate I didn't know where Humboldt park is? My question is based on knowing where Humboldt park is. What I don't know is the proximity one would want to live to it. I have grown up in River Forest and my house is exactly 1 mile from both the green and blue line. I take both into the city frequently to visit friends and hang out in Chicago. I know the city as a whole pretty well.

Troll much?

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by jonfish

Are you kidding? Where did I ever indicate I didn't know where Humboldt park is? My question is based on knowing where Humboldt park is. What I don't know is the proximity one would want to live to it. I have grown up in River Forest and my house is exactly 1 mile from both the green and blue line. I take both into the city frequently to visit friends and hang out in Chicago. I know the city as a whole pretty well.

Troll much?

[obnoxious girl voice]I live in a rich, leafy suburb and I'm mad people answer me when I ask how close I should live to the hood.[/obnoxious girl voice]

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by jonfish

... I take both into the city frequently to visit friends and hang out in Chicago. I know the city as a whole pretty well...

Well if that is the case you would not have to ask here. Furthermore, why not just ask your friends?