Stickney area? (Berwyn, Oak Park, Brookfield: renting, low crime, house)

[LePetitPhoenix]

I have been scouring the internet as well as doing searches in this forum, but can't seem to find much on this small suburb. We found a house here we really like, but want to make sure the area is okay first (have young kids). The crime data seems to suggest that it's a very low crime area. The public schools don't look great, but that's not a deal breaker. The area seems nice, but the housing prices are so cheap -- figured there had to be a catch. Thanks for any insight!

[ToriaT]

There is a large sewerage treatment plant there. Its okay...but not exactly anywhere I would pick to buy a home. If you like that area, I'd suggest looking into Brookfield.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by LePetitPhoenix

I have been scouring the internet as well as doing searches in this forum, but can't seem to find much on this small suburb. We found a house here we really like, but want to make sure the area is okay first (have young kids). The crime data seems to suggest that it's a very low crime area. The public schools don't look great, but that's not a deal breaker. The area seems nice, but the housing prices are so cheap -- figured there had to be a catch. Thanks for any insight!

That catch would be Morton West High School. That feared entity which sends liberal urbane parents who voted for Bernie and support sanctuary city ordinances scurrying out of the community when their kids hit school age, due to its, ahem, "test scores." It also keeps middle and upper middle class families at bay. This school is single handedly why Berwyn is not an upscale community comparable to Oak Park and Riverside.

Stickney is generally a nice quiet community to live in. But move there expecting that Morton is going to put a cap on your potential appreciation.

[LePetitPhoenix]

Thanks for your feedback! I would just be renting, so appreciation is not an issue. The sewage treatment plant; however, is a concern for me. Is there a distinct smell in the summer time?

[Peer79]

Originally Posted by LePetitPhoenix

Thanks for your feedback! I would just be renting, so appreciation is not an issue. The sewage treatment plant; however, is a concern for me. Is there a distinct smell in the summer time?

Yes.

[pvande55]

Stinkney?

[LePetitPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Peer79

Yes.

Like how offensive/noticeable are we talking here? Notice it when the wind pick up type smell or make a point to stay inside all summer type smell?

[brashjays]

I've never heard anything nice about Stickney. A friend who grew up there has seen gang violence in person, not to mention the "Stinkney, ****ney" jokes that come with the unfortunate sewage situation. As others have suggested, renting north or west in Berwyn or Brookfield gives you affordable options and perhaps a more savory area.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by brashjays

I've never heard anything nice about Stickney. A friend who grew up there has seen gang violence in person, not to mention the "Stinkney, ****ney" jokes that come with the unfortunate sewage situation. As others have suggested, renting north or west in Berwyn or Brookfield gives you affordable options and perhaps a more savory area.

I'm unaware of any gang violence in Stickney but who knows these days right? Do bear in mind though that people in the near suburbs define "gang" violence and activity much more broadly than city dwellers do. An empty Popeye's box and two liter bottle of grape Nehi on the front lawn will be taken as signs of imminent decline there, whereas the new residents of Logan Square will react to gun shots down the block by turning up the TV. Somewhere in the middle lies the balance!

[deeman7]

Originally Posted by brashjays

I've never heard anything nice about Stickney. A friend who grew up there has seen gang violence in person, not to mention the "Stinkney, ****ney" jokes that come with the unfortunate sewage situation. As others have suggested, renting north or west in Berwyn or Brookfield gives you affordable options and perhaps a more savory area.

There is 'Gang violence' Brookfield and Berwyn too.