Living in Logan Square vs Wicker Park (Deerfield, Lincoln: real estate, neighborhoods)

[pianogal34]

My husband and I are looking into a different city 'hood to live. Have lived in Lakeview and Buena Park, now in the NW burbs, and am not happy- we miss the city! But want something close to highway/metra so we can still get out to Arl Hts for visits.
Looking into Logan Square - Real estate seems to be very reasonable in LS. But what are the neighborhoods like? Specifically....
1- is it safe?? Are there specific areas of LS that are safer than others?
2- Proximity to good dining? What are good spots to live where you can walk to restaurants?
3- What are the areas right by the Blue Line like? (which we'd take to the Metra)

Also, considering Wicker Park, which seems very cool. But pricier. Correct? And is this a good area for a 40-ish couple (no kids)? or is it too young?

While we love to go out, we don't crave the late nightlife anymore- are content with good, eclectic (a variety of) dining, and neighhorhood joints/pubs for a few after work drinks.

Also looking for areas with better parking (yes, we've gotten spoiled in the burbs but not looking to get back into the craziness of trying to park in Boystown on Broadway or Halsted).

Thanks!

[SJaye]

I live in Logan Square and here is what I can tell you..

1. Logan Square is somewhat safe- it is not as safe as areas like Norwood Park and Lincoln Square, but not as dangerous as Humbodlt Park, let alone Englewood, Garfield Park, other notoriously bad areas. In general the Eastern part of Logan is safer than the Western Part, and within the Western part, North is safer than South. Whether you consider it safe, though, somewhat depends on your risk capacity.

2. I think there is a lot of good dining in Logan Square, but it also depends on what you like. If you like chain restaurants, or any type of restaurant in the style of Chilis/Bennigans/Houlihans, you won't find it here. Additionally, you won't find too much standard fast food fare, like Wendys/Arbys/etc. There is a McDonalds, and a Burger King, and some kind of Chicken place. However, the dining we have here, I do like, including Buena Terra, Hachi's Kitchen, Revolution Microbrewery, Cafe Bellas, Fuegos, etc.

3. The blue line would hook up with the METRA at Jefferson Park, which is cool. There are three stops, Logan Square, California, and Western, all of which are nice. Logan Square stop is closer to more parks, while the other two stops are closer to a lot of cool restaurants and bars. Additionally, a little bit east on Armitage (at Ashland) is the METRA stop ridiculously named "Clybourn", and a little bit West there is the METRA stop called "Healy" (Fullerton and Pulaski), which is on the Gelnview-Deerfield-Fox Lake line. Both are easily accessible by a short bus ride or a lengthy walk, whatever your flavor.

Additionally, one thing that separates Logan Square from Lakeview has got to be the bar scene. The bars here tend to be a bit smaller and more quaint- and less based around sports. But, you can generally find something more similar to that in Wicker Park/Bucktown, which is a short train/cab ride away.

[pianogal34]

Originally Posted by SJaye

I live in Logan Square and here is what I can tell you..

1. Logan Square is somewhat safe- it is not as safe as areas like Norwood Park and Lincoln Square, but not as dangerous as Humbodlt Park, let alone Englewood, Garfield Park, other notoriously bad areas. In general the Eastern part of Logan is safer than the Western Part, and within the Western part, North is safer than South. Whether you consider it safe, though, somewhat depends on your risk capacity.

2. I think there is a lot of good dining in Logan Square, but it also depends on what you like. If you like chain restaurants, or any type of restaurant in the style of Chilis/Bennigans/Houlihans, you won't find it here. Additionally, you won't find too much standard fast food fare, like Wendys/Arbys/etc. There is a McDonalds, and a Burger King, and some kind of Chicken place. However, the dining we have here, I do like, including Buena Terra, Hachi's Kitchen, Revolution Microbrewery, Cafe Bellas, Fuegos, etc.

3. The blue line would hook up with the METRA at Jefferson Park, which is cool. There are three stops, Logan Square, California, and Western, all of which are nice. Logan Square stop is closer to more parks, while the other two stops are closer to a lot of cool restaurants and bars. Additionally, a little bit east on Armitage (at Ashland) is the METRA stop ridiculously named "Clybourn", and a little bit West there is the METRA stop called "Healy" (Fullerton and Pulaski), which is on the Gelnview-Deerfield-Fox Lake line. Both are easily accessible by a short bus ride or a lengthy walk, whatever your flavor.

Additionally, one thing that separates Logan Square from Lakeview has got to be the bar scene. The bars here tend to be a bit smaller and more quaint- and less based around sports. But, you can generally find something more similar to that in Wicker Park/Bucktown, which is a short train/cab ride away.

Thanks so much- I'm with you on the dining. I can pass on the chains anyday for a good local restaurant!

[nidex]

Originally Posted by SJaye

3. The blue line would hook up with the METRA at Jefferson Park, which is cool. There are three stops, Logan Square, California, and Western, all of which are nice. Logan Square stop is closer to more parks, while the other two stops are closer to a lot of cool restaurants and bars. Additionally, a little bit east on Armitage (at Ashland) is the METRA stop ridiculously named "Clybourn", and a little bit West there is the METRA stop called "Healy" (Fullerton and Pulaski), which is on the Gelnview-Deerfield-Fox Lake line. Both are easily accessible by a short bus ride or a lengthy walk, whatever your flavor.

Between the choice of the Healy and Clybourn Metra stops, for a female traveling alone, I would definitely pick the Clybourn station at Ashland/Elston/Armitage. The Healy station is actually in Hermosa, and after hours is quite desolate and dark. Not to mention the surrounding neighborhood, while it isn't Englewood or Austin, it isn't the greatest- there is a gang presence. The Healy station is also pretty run-down in itself, so basically, if you're sitting there alone at a weird time, you can easily become a target. Although I personally have used it several times and have never had issue, I can see how something could happen there.

[pianogal34]

Originally Posted by nidex

Between the choice of the Healy and Clybourn Metra stops, for a female traveling alone, I would definitely pick the Clybourn station at Ashland/Elston/Armitage. The Healy station is actually in Hermosa, and after hours is quite desolate and dark. Not to mention the surrounding neighborhood, while it isn't Englewood or Austin, it isn't the greatest- there is a gang presence. The Healy station is also pretty run-down in itself, so basically, if you're sitting there alone at a weird time, you can easily become a target. Although I personally have used it several times and have never had issue, I can see how something could happen there.

I'm looking to either use the Clybourne or Irving stops, so I'll be ok. but i appreciate the tip! Good to know!

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by nidex

Between the choice of the Healy and Clybourn Metra stops, for a female traveling alone, I would definitely pick the Clybourn station at Ashland/Elston/Armitage. The Healy station is actually in Hermosa, and after hours is quite desolate and dark. Not to mention the surrounding neighborhood, while it isn't Englewood or Austin, it isn't the greatest- there is a gang presence. The Healy station is also pretty run-down in itself, so basically, if you're sitting there alone at a weird time, you can easily become a target. Although I personally have used it several times and have never had issue, I can see how something could happen there.

I've been using the Healy stop since I was a little kid, and I'd confirm the above - it's really fine during "normal business hours," but late at night that area is beyond desolate, and the stop isn't really noticeable from the street.

[aragx6]

We lived in Wicker Park -- mostly because it made the most sense for a tough commute -- but I definitely wouldn't say a couple in their 40s would feel out of place. Our neighborhood had folks in just about every age bracket. The 6 corners intersection is the heart of the neighborhood, but if it's a touch too much hustle and bustle, Bucktown up near Armitage is a slightly sleepier, though still very nice area to consider.

Also, we had street permit parking and never parked more than a half a block from our place.

[pianogal34]

Originally Posted by aragx6

We lived in Wicker Park -- mostly because it made the most sense for a tough commute -- but I definitely wouldn't say a couple in their 40s would feel out of place. Our neighborhood had folks in just about every age bracket. The 6 corners intersection is the heart of the neighborhood, but if it's a touch too much hustle and bustle, Bucktown up near Armitage is a slightly sleepier, though still very nice area to consider.

Also, we had street permit parking and never parked more than a half a block from our place.

Good to know....I didn't realize Bucktown was the quieter of the 2 (b/t there and WP). Approx what areas are you referring to? Armitage and ____?

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by pianogal34

Good to know....I didn't realize Bucktown was the quieter of the 2 (b/t there and WP). Approx what areas are you referring to? Armitage and ____?

I haven't been to Bucktown in the summer in a while, but this past couple of months I've been to Cafe Laguardia, Map Room, and Cleo's. Each of those was on a Saturday night, and Armitage was fairly quiet. But this only a small portion between Leavitt and Damen.

[ole69]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

I haven't been to Bucktown in the summer in a while, but this past couple of months I've been to Cafe Laguardia, Map Room, and Cleo's. Each of those was on a Saturday night, and Armitage was fairly quiet. But this only a small portion between Leavitt and Damen.

Floyd's is an okay bar on that strip too, when Map Room is too crowded. They also opened a sushi place on Armitage b/t California and Humboldt/Sacramento, if I remember right