North Park/Albany park neighborhood? Foster and Kedzie (Chicago, Addison: 2009, apartment)

[windy123]

Does any one live in the immediate vicinity of foster and kedzie? Know about it? Is it safe? I fell in love with an apartment in the neighborhood but have heard of some active gangs in the surronding areas. I have a two year old and a baby who I take out by myself only during the day. I get distracted enough chasing them so I don't need to worry too much about "watching my back." I know about the albany park area around Lawrence and Kedzie, is this the same neighborhood, or is it a different situation? What is going on with the whole area East of North Park University and West of the river (st. louis to kedzie between foster and brywn mawr)? Is it safe? Family oriented?

I like the ethnic diversity and really want something in walking distance to a nice park. What's your suggestions? I need to stay somewhere on the NW side of the city.

[Venom]

The gang stuff starts around Argyle,and the Chicago river going Southwest.

Between Foster and Bryn Mawr it is fine.
Although I have heard of the white gang (Royals) having a set up there on Bryn Mawr and Spaulding.
But they're not on anything.

The area is better then the Lawrence and Kedzie area, so if you think that's fine.....you'll be even better there.

[windy123]

Thanks. That is helpful to know. I figured it was safer, I just want to be sure there are no real problems that would make me not want to live there. I probably would not like living down by the lawerence/kedzie area because of the safety issue. Gangs and I have heard of muggings and what not. How would you rate the safety of walking (single man) from kedzie/foster to anslie and the river at 4:30am- 6:00am or 10:00pm-11:00pm? (as if that is really a safe time to be walking around anywhere anyways)

[Venom]

At 10 to 11PM there's still some people walking around so it's okay.

At 4:30AM-6 AM you could encounter some dangers....

[chitown97]

I live on foster and kedzie.Those neighborhoods are great to live.You are always going to see gangs all around chicago ,,,even in the best areas in the city.Now what you dont want is a neighborhood infested meaning that they have big hoods.Likw humbolt park,kedzie and montrose,north and kedzie,wilson and brodway,fullerton and kostner, etc.... The biggest set there is around albany park is Lawrence and kedzie and yet you dont see them to often ...good luck

[Venom]

Biggest set is actually Leland and KEdzie with the Familia stones
They spread down to Addison ave East to Horner Park West to Kimball

[SAI126]

When we first moved to Chicago eons ago we lived on the 5200 block of North Sawyer. What a different time and an idyllic world compared to today. In the half century or so since then the neighborhood has held up pretty well, of course there have been massive changes in the ethnic mix. It was Swedish in the area close to North Park College (it wasn't a University then) where we lived and mostly Jewish everywhere else. Peterson elementary school was about 80% or more Jewish. The neighborhood looked great and there was virtually no crime. I really miss Lorees which was at 3232 W Foster. They made the best ice cream sundaes on the planet. Anyway as for the OP, in 2009 Chicago that area is not bad and a lot better than most. Good luck if you move there.