1255 N Sandburg Terrace - Safe area? Old Town/clark and division Red line (Chicago: real estate, lease)

[bman999]

Hi,

I'm a 33 year old single guy planning to move to Chicago in April. Right now im possibly signing a lease at 1255 N Sanburg Terrace. I figured this would be a good location because of its proximity to Old Town, the lake, Lincoln Park, Downtown, and it's not too far from Wicker Park. I have a remote job, so location for work doesn't matter.

I've been reading that crime has been on the rise in Old Town - mainly around Sedgwick. Does this spill out into the other areas? I've also heard that areas on Division are sketchy - especially the Clark/Division red stop which is about a block away from the building.

Originally I was going to live in Lakeview East or Wicker Park, but felt a more central location would be better. I'm probably more suited for Wicker Park, but would like to be closer to the lake.

Any thoughts or help?

Thanks in advance!

https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-...&ved=0CLkCELYD

[chicagobear]

Very nice area with excellent access to public transportation and within walking distance of the Loop, River North/Michigan Avenue and Lincoln Park. Cabs are easy to get. Crime is not an issue at all.

[jgardener]

You'll be fine, Sanburg Terrace and the surrounding area are no more Dangerous than Wicker Park or Lakeview East. The Division Red Line stop can be a little sketchy, but it is surrounded by one of the wealthiest areas of the city. If you're used to living in urban areas and have general situational awareness e.g. not wearing your iPod and tuning out the world, you shouldn't have problems. Is it the absolute safest area in the city, no, but it is certainly in line with the other areas you're considering.

[jonnynonos]

It's totally safe. Crime may (or may not be) on the rise in Old Town, but it would never be anything any sane person would worry about. I think there is a small strip of subsidezed housing over on Sedgewick which would likely be the source of the problem, but there's virtually no crime over there.

Clark/Division can indeed by "sketchy," but that doesn't mean dangerous. It's not dangerous at all, really. Maybe, maybe if you were coming home at like 4 in the morning on a Sunday, I would keep my eyes peeled, but beyond that it is perfectly safe. A lot of vagrants hang out there, but it's no big deal. That area of Division is basically a strip of cheesy bars for college kids; no one who lives there ever goes there.

Sandburg Terrace is it's own little entity, so you would just have to deal with that stuff to the degree you want to.

Basically you're positioned very similarly to everyone else in the Gold Coast, which is probably on average still the most expensive real estate in the city.

Back in the day Cabrini Green stretched all the way to North Avenue, so the area had a ton of problems, but that project has been reduced to the row houses bordered by Chicago, Oak, Cambridge and Hudson.

[marothisu]

Very, very safe. A bunch of rich people live in the area....meaning if there was so much crime, they would probably have moved by now. You'll be fine.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

Back in the day Cabrini Green stretched all the way to North Avenue, so the area had a ton of problems, but that project has been reduced to the row houses bordered by Chicago, Oak, Cambridge and Hudson.

And those row houses are mostly vacant and are now scheduled to be demo'd. Not sure of the timing on that.

[jonnynonos]

Yes there are fewer and fewer people in them all the time.

[It'sAutomatic]

Clark and Division has a lot of homeless people and (at night) loud annoying drunk idiots, but it's not exactly dangerous.

It's on you to decide if it's worth spending a lot more to live in a central location. Personally I don't think it's worth it unless you want to go to the area regularly to work and play. I can assure you that East Lakeview and Wicker Park offer an awesome, and possibly superior, Chicago experience.

[jonnynonos]

Sandburg Terrace ain't that expensive.

[marothisu]

I do agree with you that Lakeview East or Wicker Park offer a better "Chicago Experience," but the area near Sandburg is not bad at all for that. There's plenty of stuff, but I personally prefer the other two (even though I live in Gold Coast..I need to get out soon).