Is Berwyn truly integrated, or are we experiencing white flight? (Chicago: salon, city hall)

[Runuova]

Originally Posted by lifelongchicagoland

I've really enjoyed reading all of the opinions on my post. They have been all across the board. Out of all of the posts I've read on city-data, Berwyn has seemed to have more differing opinions than almost any other town's threads. What I don't see anyone discussing is the Hispanic flight I've noticed this summer. We've had 4 houses between the adjacent streets of Cuyler (Ridgeland,Highland and Harvey) that have sold since I posted. 3 have been purchased by African-American families, and the 4th I'm not sure about. There is a new African-American hair salon off Roosevelt and Highland, and a soon to open African-American coffee shop. Another house just went for sale on Harvey, and rumor has it the family is moving to LaGrange because they want better schools for their kids then what Berwyn can offer.

It's so crazy to me that I keep reading over and over again how Berwyn is attracting all of these creative hipster types, when all I'm seeing is White (and apparently Hispanic now) flight out of here to further west suburbs. I wish things would get better soon. I bought into the idea of a up-and-coming area close to the Loop. I wasn't envisioning groups of rough looking youth and fireworks all summer long. I don't want to live in the next Austin or Garfield Park. It's great that people are so positive about Berwyn, but my gut tells me that these "pro-Berwyn" boosters don't live in Berwyn themselves. If they did, I think they'd have a different view of the current state of affairs here.

Sounds like you're ok with Hispanics but not Blacks?

[holl1ngsworth]

A hair salon and a coffee shop!?! You mean new, locally-owned businesses are opening?!? In previously vacant storefronts?!!?!?!!? AND SOMEBODY WITH A JOB BOUGHT A HOUSE DOWN THE STREET???!!!??? THEY HAVE KIDS?!!? Agghhhhhh!!!! Rrruuuuuunnnnnn!!!

[chet everett]

If you are concerned about fireworks and violent activities -- CALL THE POLICE! Fill out the reports, go to court, that is what helps keeps safe areas safe!

If you want to help the local businesses owners have enough time to supervise their kids, patron the businesses during peak hours so the owners can be home with their kids after school.

If you really want to be hero, volunteer at the schools -- they need mentors to help guide kids toward lucrative careers.

This is not rocket science -- if schools decline and safety is on the wane that falls on the shoulders that look the other way!

Originally Posted by lifelongchicagoland

I've really enjoyed reading all of the opinions on my post. They have been all across the board. Out of all of the posts I've read on city-data, Berwyn has seemed to have more differing opinions than almost any other town's threads. What I don't see anyone discussing is the Hispanic flight I've noticed this summer. We've had 4 houses between the adjacent streets of Cuyler (Ridgeland,Highland and Harvey) that have sold since I posted. 3 have been purchased by African-American families, and the 4th I'm not sure about. There is a new African-American hair salon off Roosevelt and Highland, and a soon to open African-American coffee shop. Another house just went for sale on Harvey, and rumor has it the family is moving to LaGrange because they want better schools for their kids then what Berwyn can offer.

It's so crazy to me that I keep reading over and over again how Berwyn is attracting all of these creative hipster types, when all I'm seeing is White (and apparently Hispanic now) flight out of here to further west suburbs. I wish things would get better soon. I bought into the idea of a up-and-coming area close to the Loop. I wasn't envisioning groups of rough looking youth and fireworks all summer long. I don't want to live in the next Austin or Garfield Park. It's great that people are so positive about Berwyn, but my gut tells me that these "pro-Berwyn" boosters don't live in Berwyn themselves. If they did, I think they'd have a different view of the current state of affairs here.

[twodoor2]

I've never lived in Berwyn, or driven through there. It seems to have it's nice parts, although my friend just left a bungalow there, and she called it "the ghetto." She moved because she has a little girl, and needed a safer place to bring her up, otherwise, she said no one ever bothered her there, if you minded your own business. They tore down her bungalow to make it a parking lot for a church. I asked her, out of the three places, which is the worst, Elgin, Waukegan or Berwyn, and she said Elgin (worst), then Waukegan, and then Berwyn (the best of the lot, ha!).

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by chet everett

If you are concerned about fireworks and violent activities -- CALL THE POLICE! Fill out the reports, go to court, that is what helps keeps safe areas safe!

If you want to help the local businesses owners have enough time to supervise their kids, patron the businesses during peak hours so the owners can be home with their kids after school.

If you really want to be hero, volunteer at the schools -- they need mentors to help guide kids toward lucrative careers.

This is not rocket science -- if schools decline and safety is on the wane that falls on the shoulders that look the other way!

Save your breath. I learned in my 11 years there that people like this don't get involved. They just complain and spread the bad word (which 90% of the time is completely exaggerated).

I understand that Berwyn has some issues but overall, it's a great place to live, and hopefully continues to get better. Personally, I think it's improved in a lot of ways since 2003 when I moved there.

[ToriaT]

An African American coffee shop? Oh and a Starbucks is also moving into Berwyn. Must admit I don't live there, visit often...and yes Berwyn is nothing like a suburb...in good ways and bad ways...meaning its very similar to some section of the city in feel. Its urbanized way more than the places you might find west of the tollway and much more diverse. There has been a recent shooting there of a gang member that is freaking a lot of people out....the Alderman is having a meeting on this sometime in early August so if anyone wants to attend they should try to find out about it. The police chief is going to be at the meeting too.

[oakparkdude]

Where is the Starbucks opening? Depot District?

[allsunny]

On cermack next to buffalo wild wings I believe.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by allsunny

On cermack next to buffalo wild wings I believe.

Hmm, that makes sense.

I think we'll know when Roosevelt Rd has finally arrived as a walkable destination when a Starbucks opens up there.

[Lookout Kid]

You really haven't arrived as a suburb until you have an abandoned Caribou Coffee.