Area of Humboldt Park bordering Ukrainian Village (Chicago, Augusta: renting, condos)

[vintage1985]

I am a 22/F from southwest Michigan currently searching for teaching job in Chicago. I am also looking for housing as well and came across a listing for the following address:

California at Division (loc: California at Division Chicago IL US - Google Maps)

I have read some of the other postings about the Humbolt Park area but I'm still a little confused about whether or not the neighborhood is safe. It seems to get mixed reviews depending on what street you live on...so I want to know if this street is safe and the general vibe of the area. I have a possible job opportunity in the Garfield Park area and would like to close if that comes through. Any help will be much appreciated!!

[Humboldt1]

If you can work in Garfielf Park that area will be nothing at division and california. There are a lot of gangs, mostly puerto ricans around california and division. They are nice people for the most part and will respect you if you respect them. Some have even invited me to drink with them as I was walking in the area while going from the California Clipper to the Continental (both bars).

I would normally advise a 22f from southwest michigan to steer clear of that area but if you can handle garfield park you can handle a few gangbanger neighbors. Typically, a girl your age should stay east of western in that area.

Also, that area is the humboldt park neighborhood which is part of the west town community. Wicker Park exists only east of western. There is no west wicker park or west bucktown.

[vintage1985]

Thanks for the advice. I do not know much about the Chicago area. Most of the information I have learned has come from this site. I did see Garfield Park listed in a post about the top 5 worst areas to live in. However, I am not that easily discouraged. I am excited about what I have read about this school so far. I just want to make sure the neighborhood I live in is SAFE, diverse, has nightlife, young people, things to do, etc. I may drive through this area and check it out in person when I visit later this week.

[aragx6]

If safe is your number one concern I wouldn't live there.

[Humboldt1]

Vintage,

I think Bucktown, Wicker Park or Logan Square would fit you better. It will mostly depend upon your budget. If you can afford Bucktown or Wicker Park, go for it.

Why do you want to teach in Garfield Park? That is straight up hood with all the usual problems associated with an urban ghetto.

If you are doing it to positively impact the youth in that area, God Bless You. Just be careful.

[Johnny Northside]

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

Vintage,

I think Bucktown, Wicker Park or Logan Square would fit you better. It will mostly depend upon your budget. If you can afford Bucktown or Wicker Park, go for it.

Why do you want to teach in Garfield Park? That is straight up hood with all the usual problems associated with an urban ghetto.

If you are doing it to positively impact the youth in that area, God Bless You. Just be careful.

Yes, if you feel it is you "calling" to serve the children in an area such as Garfield Park, you'll be unswayed by what people may tell you about teaching in the CPS on the West Side or South Side.

I know many teachers who have taught in these areas, from retirees who are now in their 70s to people such as yourself who entered the system in the past few years. Some of things they have dealt with include:

-- Basic grooming, hygiene and nutrition issues not handled at home before the schoolday -- cuts into "learning time."
-- Violence toward other students rooted in the unstable households from which they come.
-- Assaults to their person or property -- from being spat upon to having their cars damaged.
-- Uncooperative and/or absent parenting when confronting the above student issues with their families.
-- Dealing with problems on personal, emotional levels of the highest order -- such as children sexually abused by relatives, etc.

The emotional energy spent on issues such as that last one can be heartbreaking. But for the person cut from the right cloth it is a career more noble and honorable than 99% of what the rest of the world is doing for a living. And I have never heard any of these people express any regrets for what they are doing.

Wherever you decide to move -- I agree that Bucktown, Wicker Park or Logan Square would be better -- make sure you have a car (but not too nice of a car) for your commute to school. While you may be able to handle the academic environment of a Garfield Park school, the general population of the area would present a clear danger if you had to rely on public transportation.

Good luck!

[vintage1985]

Again, thanks for the advice. I have spent the past year teaching in a school where I encountered many of the problems you described (though probably on a much smaller scale). I know that you are 100% on point with everything that you said. I will keep those neighborhoods in mind since they seem to keep coming up. Thanks for the advice about the car as well. Little stuff like that is actually very helpful.

[shaman1204]

Thinking of buying in this area. I've driven around the area and there seems to be some new construction and for the most part it seems pretty quiet. Anyone live near there that can give me a man-on-the-ground perspective. Is it safe to walk a dog at night, etc?

[surlycue]

I have a good friend that lives at Augusta and Rockwell. That stretch of Rockwell is pretty quiet but you will find corner kids on Augusta there. There's obvious drug dealing going on at Augusta and California and well as Augusta and Western so I'd recommend walking the residential streets after 9 if you'd like to walk your dog. Also, I'd make sure to buy a place with covered parking as Clemente High brings a lot of punks that like to deface and brick cars.

I like that area of Humboldt Park personally but when buying there you need to check your bravado at the door. Most residents are opposed to gentrification so the best thing you can do when moving in is to introduce yourself to all the neighbors, be friendly and cordial and they will be so in return. Lots of upwardly mobile folks have bought condos in the area in the last 5 years and they seem to wall themselves in their homes and not make an effort to become part of the neighborhood.

[nikitakolata]

I live pretty close to where you're looking right now. I bought on Campbell a few blocks north of where you mentioned. If I had the chance to do it again, I definitely would not buy here. In the past 6 months I have filed so many police reports that it makes me sick. Not to mention the disgusting littering problem in Humboldt Park that I posted about previously.

People in the area do not care for white people moving in, so if that describes you, keep it in mind. I didn't realize people would be so opposed to someone moving in that was actually going to take care of their house.

I bought about a year and a half ago, so I feel I've given the area a chance. It is definitely not for me. I'm staying now only because I cannot possibly sell without taking a loss given current market conditions. The second someone wants my house for about what I've invested in it, they can have it and I will happily leave.