Did Boystown have problems last summer? (Chicago, Evanston: transplants, crime, home)

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

I visited the area on my quick trip to Chicago in April 2012. Parked, walked around at 2 am on a Sunday, and then 9 am that Sunday. Seemed lively and fun. Had no idea what was to happen a few months later, and apparently now. Makes me sick.

Just another reason I've lost my enthusiasm somewhat for your city and likely won't relocate.

By the way, regarding crime, Boston just had a 13 yo boy shot while walking to church choir at 7 pm -- in the Roxbury section, just a few miles from Mass. Avenue and Symphony Hall. So it's not just Chicago's problem, but overall it seems much safer in Boston than Chicago.

What do you mean? What happened a few months later? I was out there all summer and it was very lively and fun (if that's your "fun"). The street certainly didn't go out of business or die.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

I visited the area on my quick trip to Chicago in April 2012. Parked, walked around at 2 am on a Sunday, and then 9 am that Sunday. Seemed lively and fun. Had no idea what was to happen a few months later, and apparently now. Makes me sick.

Just another reason I've lost my enthusiasm somewhat for your city and likely won't relocate.

By the way, regarding crime, Boston just had a 13 yo boy shot while walking to church choir at 7 pm -- in the Roxbury section, just a few miles from Mass. Avenue and Symphony Hall. So it's not just Chicago's problem, but overall it seems much safer in Boston than Chicago.

Just out of curiosity--what were the OTHER reasons why you soured on Chicago?

BTW, I also read about the shooting in Roxbury.....sad.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by gomexico

I suspect, by your comments, that you've never visited the neighborhood.

I lived at Paulina and Belmont and visited Boystown a lot since living here. Why do you ask?

[marothisu]

It's weird because I've never once heard any of my friends that frequent bars up there complain about anything bad happening..

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

What do you mean? What happened a few months later? I was out there all summer and it was very lively and fun (if that's your "fun"). The street certainly didn't go out of business or die.

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

Are you ever on that street??? I moved here 11 years ago and Halsted is WAY more packed now than it ever was back in the early 2000's. There are also many more bars open then there were just a few years ago. I get sick of the crowds very easy. I'd rather have a dive bar.

Originally Posted by gomexico

I suspect, by your comments, that you've never visited the neighborhood.

Originally Posted by marothisu

It's weird because I've never once heard any of my friends that frequent bars up there complain about anything bad happening..

Ditto. I seem to remember someone on this forum (possibly the same poster?) last year making similar accusations about Boystown, while the people who live and regularly hang out there had no idea what he was talking about.

I have to say there's more than a little bit of racist overtones to it all, also, with use of the word "thugs," and talk of wanting to "prevent them from coming into the area."

[Attrill]

^^^ This

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

Ditto. I seem to remember someone on this forum (possibly the same poster?) last year making similar accusations about Boystown, while the people who live and regularly hang out there had no idea what he was talking about.

I have to say there's more than a little bit of racist overtones to it all, also, with use of the word "thugs," and talk of wanting to "prevent them from coming into the area."

No kidding. My girlfriend also lives a few blocks from Halsted and we're eating there quite a bit (not to mention I get my haircut at a place in the area and meeting up with some of our gay friends at some of the bars sometimes). I've honestly never seen anybody who I'd regard as shady in that area outside of that gas station on the corner of Halsted & Addison. I'm not saying there aren't, but I am in the area quite a bit and barely see anybody who i'd be like "uhh hmmm". I've seen it way more on Clark Street near Wrigley. Boystown though?? Seems mostly fine to me.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

Ditto. I seem to remember someone on this forum (possibly the same poster?) last year making similar accusations about Boystown, while the people who live and regularly hang out there had no idea what he was talking about.

I have to say there's more than a little bit of racist overtones to it all, also, with use of the word "thugs," and talk of wanting to "prevent them from coming into the area."

I think that poster eventually moved to Dallas...

I know that there was some trouble over the last two years (according to those on this forum), but it may have been a little overblown..

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by MassVt

I think that poster eventually moved to Dallas...

I know that there was some trouble over the last two years (according to those on this forum), but it may have been a little overblown..

And if you read this forum enough, you get the impression from a few posters that there's a full on race war going on in the city. Of course it's overblown.

Maybe I haven't lived here for long enough, but I haven't seen a ton of racial tension outside of a few things the govt has had in place for a long time and outside of some gang stuff.

[s0nginmyheart]

There used to be a lot of trouble last summer because most were underage kids from the south and west side would apparently come up to Boystown, sporting their red plastic cups in the streets to party, and carried shanks. Personally, I don't have a problem with kids being stupid but who wouldn't have a problem with kids carrying a concealed weapon???

And if you really want to immerse yourself with the drama, some free reading: Take Back Boystown