Buena Park/Uptown Safety (Chicago, Lincoln: apartments, rent, roughest)

[Mike5055]

Hello Everyone,

So I am moving to Chicago soon and am currently looking for apartments. I was looking at a few in the Buena Park/Uptown area (W. Wilson and Clarendon area as well as W. Winona and N. Sheridan area). I have read mixed reviews about the general area (many of which are a bit older), but was wondering if anyone can tell me how the area is currently?

Thanks for any input!

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by Mike5055

Hello Everyone,

So I am moving to Chicago soon and am currently looking for apartments. I was looking at a few in the Buena Park/Uptown area (W. Wilson and Clarendon area as well as W. Winona and N. Sheridan area). I have read mixed reviews about the general area (many of which are a bit older), but was wondering if anyone can tell me how the area is currently?

Thanks for any input!

IMO Winona and Sheridan is nicer than Clarendon and Wilson...Wilson is still the roughest part of the area and the northern edge of Uptown has gotten noticeably nicer since a large mental facility was closed a year or so ago. My wife and I have lived within a block or two of the former for almost 4 years now and haven't had a single issue. I also prefer to be within walking distance of the Andersonville strip over Lake View.

[Chicago60614]

Been in Buena Park for over 4 years now at Buena and Sheridan. Basically everything from Irving Park to Montrose is pretty, nice and safe. Some areas between Buena and Montrose are absolutely beautiful and wealthy.

Montrose to Lawrence is sketchy in some areas. If you are renting I'd probaby say to just avoid the mess and not do Sheridan/Broadway from Sunnyside up through Lawrence, and then avoid Leland by Broadway/Sheridan. It's almost all just annoying crazy people or gangbangers who are fussing after other gangbangers. Your "average citizen" isn't really going to be impacted personally by a lot of the crime, but who wants to mess with it.

The stereotype and visions of Uptown by many on the north side are MUCH worse than the reality.

[ChicagoMeO]

You have that beautiful historic Alta Vista Terrace in there,, it is gorgeous!!!

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO

You have that beautiful historic Alta Vista Terrace in there,, it is gorgeous!!!

Except that's not in Buena Park. Or anywhere else in Uptown.

Alta Vista is in Lakeview. It might possibly be considered part of Wrigleyville.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Except that's not in Buena Park. Or anywhere else in Uptown.

Alta Vista is in Lakeview. It might possibly be considered part of Wrigleyville.

It's 800 feet from the stadium itself - so I'm sure it's Wrigleyville, just a very quiet piece of it.

I like Alta Vista, but my favorite street in the neighborhood is definitely Hutchinson in Buena Park. An absolutely beautiful set of older mansions stuffed away right amid all the highrises and courtyard apartment buildings in Uptown. I'd definitely recommend checking it out. It's only about 2 blocks long, but the houses are to die for.

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

It's 800 feet from the stadium itself - so I'm sure it's Wrigleyville, just a very quiet piece of it.

I like Alta Vista, but my favorite street in the neighborhood is definitely Hutchinson in Buena Park. An absolutely beautiful set of older mansions stuffed away right amid all the highrises and courtyard apartment buildings in Uptown. I'd definitely recommend checking it out. It's only about 2 blocks long, but the houses are to die for.

Castlewood Terrace is also nice

[Bardot]

With the exception of about two blocks of gorgeous historic homes (that most of us will never afford), Buena Park is not as attractive as people make it out to be. It's also not nearly as cheap as people make it out to be (unless you're in the uglier parts). Two years ago I paid $900 a month for a small, crappy studio on Clarendon and Montrose. I never experienced a direct conflict, but I did hear gunshots a few times in the middle of the night.

If you're looking for a better value for your rent $$ try Edgewater or move a bit west from there towards Ravenswood/Lincoln Square (a bit pricier but deals can be had).

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by Bardot

With the exception of about two blocks of gorgeous historic homes (that most of us will never afford), Buena Park is not as attractive as people make it out to be. It's also not nearly as cheap as people make it out to be (unless you're in the uglier parts). Two years ago I paid $900 a month for a small, crappy studio on Clarendon and Montrose. I never experienced a direct conflict, but I did hear gunshots a few times in the middle of the night.

If you're looking for a better value for your rent $$ try Edgewater or move a bit west from there towards Ravenswood/Lincoln Square (a bit pricier but deals can be had).

lol

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by Bardot

With the exception of about two blocks of gorgeous historic homes (that most of us will never afford), Buena Park is not as attractive as people make it out to be. It's also not nearly as cheap as people make it out to be (unless you're in the uglier parts). Two years ago I paid $900 a month for a small, crappy studio on Clarendon and Montrose. I never experienced a direct conflict, but I did hear gunshots a few times in the middle of the night.

If you're looking for a better value for your rent $$ try Edgewater or move a bit west from there towards Ravenswood/Lincoln Square (a bit pricier but deals can be had).

Really?? So except for Jr. Terrace and Hutchinson the rest of the area is "ugly"?? Definitely intriguing cause I've honestly always thought it to be one of the most beautiful and affordable areas of the north side.