Truth about Lincoln Park? (Chicago: violent crime, houses, safest neighborhood)

[Obamanation]

Ok a little background: 25-year old male, would be grad student who likes to go out for the night and shop. I've done decent research on Chicago and Lincoln Park is my preferred destination so far. What I ask of you, the locals, is the hard truth about the area from the real-life street level.

How is the crime rate; and which kinds occur? How upscale does the area feel? Does the neighborhood have color, e.g. colorful/quirky storefronts, public art? Would a night owl be sufficiently entertained (not just bars... coffee houses, restaurants etc. also)?

So yes I love Chi-town so far, with my sights focused on the North Side and North Shore. My concerns have been with crime and possible lack of color to the city (a lot of brown buildings and older infrastructure). Thanks for your patience everyone. Oh, and rep points for some good photos of the city, especially Lincoln Park.

[jimmythegreek]

Originally Posted by Obamanation

My concerns have been with crime and possible lack of color to the city (a lot of brown buildings and older infrastructure).

What do you expect? Pastels? This ain't Florida,California, or New Mexico. Most northern cities have a "lack of color."

[nowincal11]

Lincoln Park is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. Violent crime is few and far between. Property crime isn't bad either, just make sure to not leave your GPS or wallet in the console of your vehicle. Don't leave your door unlocked. Don't wander around for 20 blocks intoxicated.

Occasionally there are very very random acts of violence, but that's to be expected in any major city neighborhood. LP is one of the most desirable in the city, especially for the young professional crowd. You really won't find a safer neighborhood other than maybe Edison Park on the far NW side.

The area is pretty upscale. Lots of college students from DePaul, lots of fresh out of college students who are in the in between stage of college and the real world. Then there are a lot of yuppies who make good money.

Tons of restaurants. It is a bar heavy neighborhood though. Plenty of people live there who don't go out all night to bars/clubs, but it is one of the top nightlife spots in the city.

If you want more of a pseudo artsy feel, Wicker Park and Bucktown. They are pseudo artsy because it's a lot of young professionals who pretend to be hipsters/artists/musicians (part time). Nightlife is a bit more relaxed too.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by nowincal11

If you want more of a pseudo artsy feel, Wicker Park and Bucktown. They are pseudo artsy because it's a lot of young professionals who pretend to be hipsters/artists/musicians (part time).

They may also like art and music, which is why they choose to live in a neighborhood with the most music venues in the city.

[It'sAutomatic]

If you don't like historic neighborhoods with brick buildings, then I wouldn't recommend moving to Lincoln Park, or anywhere in Chicago. LP isn't really monotone, though, especially compared to some other neighborhoods. Look around the sidestreets yourself on the wonderful tool that is streetview. I think it's one of the most attractive neighborhoods in the city.

[oakparkdude]

Color?

Well, the sky is blue and grass is green in Lincoln Park, as in most places. Stop signs are red. Pavement tends to range from black to gray. In the wintertime, snow starts off white, then transforms to gray. Cars come in all sorts of color. Hmm, what else am I missing?

[It'sAutomatic]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Color?

Well, the sky is blue and grass is green in Lincoln Park, as in most places. Stop signs are red. Pavement tends to range from black to gray. In the wintertime, snow starts off white, then transforms to gray. Cars come in all sorts of color. Hmm, what else am I missing?

buildings

[Jandur]

I'm 25 and live in LP. There is definately "color" to the area, but it does vary. For example the shops on Lincoln tend to have a bit more of a charm to them than say the ones on Diversey. It just really depends on every street/block. As mentioned above I would get on Google Streetview and check out some of the major streets. Look at Halsted, Clark, Fullerton, Diversey, Lincoln etc.

I can't really claim to know how conducive the area is to a night owl (at least during the week). There are places open late though and I think most of those places are probably closer to Depaul to cater to the late night study crowd.

[quigboto]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

They may also like art and music, which is why they choose to live in a neighborhood with the most music venues in the city.

Exactly! Same with Logan Square. In fact, in my experience, most of them aren't "pretending" at all.

[quigboto]

Originally Posted by Obamanation

Ok a little background: 25-year old male, would be grad student who likes to go out for the night and shop. I've done decent research on Chicago and Lincoln Park is my preferred destination so far. What I ask of you, the locals, is the hard truth about the area from the real-life street level.

How is the crime rate; and which kinds occur? How upscale does the area feel? Does the neighborhood have color, e.g. colorful/quirky storefronts, public art? Would a night owl be sufficiently entertained (not just bars... coffee houses, restaurants etc. also)?

So yes I love Chi-town so far, with my sights focused on the North Side and North Shore. My concerns have been with crime and possible lack of color to the city (a lot of brown buildings and older infrastructure). Thanks for your patience everyone. Oh, and rep points for some good photos of the city, especially Lincoln Park.

Honestly, all you have to do is come to Chicago and spend one weekend hanging out in Lincoln Park to get a "Feel" for it. I don't think it would take more time than that to determine if it suits you.
It's pretty straightforward vibe IMO.