Calumet City (Chicago, Tinley Park, Elmhurst: safe area, schools, place to live)

[urza216]

Originally Posted by Baroness-Ann

This thread just makes me sick to my stomach! It's sad that I have to read replies from people who appear to come to the defense of the trash that destroys nice towns like Calumet City and Lansing. Stop defending them! You know they have problems and they don't care about their surroundings, themselves, or others. These people belong in prisons and mental institutions because they are menaces to society, or are very likely to be future menaces to society. I'm going to MAKE SURE that the majority of my tax dollars go to the building of future prisons to place these miserable, crime-loving, drug-using maniacs! That's where they belong, not in nice city neighborhoods or suburbs.

Was Calumet City EVER nice? Didn't it used to have a lot strip clubs and hookers and such?

[urza216]

Originally Posted by kmyoung

The area is going completely south. [...] The only people left in Cal City that are decent are the ones selling their homes currently and those too poor or too old to move. DON'T move to Cal city or anywhere in that area.

Originally Posted by larryb

Grew up their in the 70's. Drugs, prostitution, bar on every corner. They've cleaned it up since. Went thru there recently, was impressed.

Ironic...

So the area's going south, huh?

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by urza216

Was Calumet City EVER nice? Didn't it used to have a lot strip clubs and hookers and such?

Only on State Line.

Actually, the strip clubs are gone, but the hookers are still there.

And yes, Cal City used to be a safe place to raise a family. Mind boggling I know, but true.

[allen2323]

Originally Posted by Chuckity

Only on State Line.

Actually, the strip clubs are gone, but the hookers are still there.

And yes, Cal City used to be a safe place to raise a family. Mind boggling I know, but true.

I agree. But, I would say not much has changed at all about the place. It hasn't really improved much at all. Not the most affluent place in the world nor was it ever really affluent when I lived there growing up. But, it was alright and still is. I guess what it really comes down to these days as far as different attitudes about an area is race, especially in the southern suburbs. If you are a young african american or hispanic family earning say between $30,000-$50,000 household income a year then calumet city might have good housing options that you might want to consider. Calumet city has good access to chicago, a vibrant shopping area, it's relatively safe, decent schools compared to chicago public schools, etc.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by allen2323

I agree. But, I would say not much has changed at all about the place. It hasn't really improved much at all. Not the most affluent place in the world nor was it ever really affluent when I lived there growing up. But, it was alright and still is. I guess what it really comes down to these days as far as different attitudes about an area is race, especially in the southern suburbs. If you are a young african american or hispanic family earning say between $30,000-$50,000 household income a year then calumet city might have good housing options that you might want to consider. Calumet city has good access to chicago, a vibrant shopping area, it's relatively safe, decent schools compared to chicago public schools, etc.

It depends on when you're comparing it to, because it most definitely has changed tremendously.

Compared to 10 years ago ... eh. Compared to the 70s? It's a hell hole.

And relatively safe compared to what? .... Harvey? Englewood? Gary?

[allen2323]

Originally Posted by Chuckity

It depends on when you're comparing it to, because it most definitely has changed tremendously.

Compared to 10 years ago ... eh. Compared to the 70s? It's a hell hole.

And relatively safe compared to what? .... Harvey? Englewood? Gary?

Maybe the 70's were a better less violent time in america in general, but that was 40 years ago. Calumet City is definately relatively safe compared to most areas in chicago with a similar median household income around $46,000 for sure. You have to put safety in perspective. There were 5 murders in calumet city in 2008. There were 7 murders in harvey in all of 2008. Many consider harvey to be the most dangerous southern suburb. But to put it in perspective in northwest indiana there were 49 murders in gary and 13 murders in hammond. Merrillville even had 4 murders that year and has a smaller population than calumet city and has a higher median household income of $59,419. You can't even compare calumet city or even harvey to an area that is actually very violent like englewood or gary indiana. The murder rate for the city of gary in 2008 was 51.2 per 100,000 people that same year calumet city's murder rate was 13.5 per 100,000 people. Calumet city is an inner ring suburb that is close to the city so crime does exist but is nowhere near that of chicago or gary. Even the very affluent inner ring suburb of oak park had 1 murder in 2008. And the median incom for households in oak park is $70,344 per year. Much higher than calumet city. That's the trade off for living in an inner ring suburb closer to chicago. Crime will occasionally occur there. Like I said before your attitude about an neighborhood and how you percieve it primarily comes down to what race you are. If you are a young african american family earning say $30,000-$50,000 per year calumet city might have good housing options that you might want to consider. And, yes calumet city is relatively safe. It is also very affordable, has a vibrant retail area, and it is very close to chicago. That being said there are safer housing options available in the southern suburbs that are also affordable. For example hazel crest and glenwood had no murders in 2008. Very close to Calumet City neighboring dolton had 1 murder in 2008 and south holland had 2.

[Chicagoland60426]

Chuckity;15652422]

And relatively safe compared to what? .... Harvey? Englewood? Gary?

Thats funny because I heard people who moved away from Englewood said how quiet Cal City and other south burbs are. When you come from Englewood, most so called sketchy/ hood areas in the burbs pales in comparison.

In Englewood, there is a feeling of hopelessness about it. Go there at anytime, and you'll see guys hanging on corners up to no good. There is no legitimate grocery store and bank. People there shop at corner/liquor stores. Even Harvey has a couple of grocery stores and banks. The only thing going for Englewood is Kennedy King College. In Cal City there is some sense of peace and safety when a significant chunk of Cal City lacks board ups and lawns and houses are still kept up in the newer sections where the homes are mostly brick. There is a Starbucks, Applebees, Quiznos, and a regional mall all in the same city. Cal City lose some street credibility by having a Starbucks alone.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by allen2323

And, yes calumet city is relatively safe.

Sorry.

No.

It's not.

And if you think it is, then you should really raise your standards.

By a lot.

Originally Posted by Chicagoland604266

Go there at anytime, and you'll see guys hanging on corners up to no good.

I don't think those guys are in Englewood anymore. I think they moved to one of the laundromats in Cal City to expand their drug business.

[allen2323]

Originally Posted by Chuckity

Sorry.

No.

It's not.

And if you think it is, then you should really raise your standards.

By a lot.




I don't think those guys are in Englewood anymore. I think they moved to one of the laundromats in Cal City to expand their drug business.

My standards are high. The suburb that I live in hasn't had a murder in atleast a decade, maybe alot longer or never as I am only looking at crime stats for this decade. My neighborhood is also alot more expensive than calumet city. Like I said before a persons attitude about a neighborhood and how they percieve it primarily comes down to what race they are. Calumet city had 5 murders in 2008. In 2008 there were 5 murders at the lane bryant store in tinley park in one day alone. Is tinley park now a scary place also. Chicago had 510 murders in 2008. Whites generally are fearful of all areas with alot of blacks no matter how safe they are in reality. I have even heard whites describe homewood as being dangerous.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by allen2323

My standards are high. The suburb that I live in hasn't had a murder in atleast a decade, maybe alot longer or never as I am only looking at crime stats for this decade. My neighborhood is also alot more expensive than calumet city. Like I said before a persons attitude about a neighborhood and how they percieve it primarily comes down to what race they are. Calumet city had 5 murders in 2008. In 2008 there were 5 murders at the lane bryant store in tinley park in one day alone. Is tinley park now a scary place also. Chicago had 510 murders in 2008. Whites generally are fearful of all areas with alot of blacks no matter how safe they are in reality. I have even heard whites describe homewood as being dangerous.

You cannot compare the isolated incident in Tinley to Cal City.

I haven't heard of thugs waving guns from their cars in Tinley lately - have you? And people don't just get shot in the street of their home in Tinley either.

Perhaps some people have a higher tolerance for crime - but it doesn't mean the area is any less dangerous.