Old Town?

[eddhead]

Hi, My wife and I will be moving to Chicago from NYC shortly to accomodate my new job requirements. I really like the city, and like what I have seen in quite a few neighborhoods including Lincoln Park, Bucktown, River North, and even Old Irving Park.

We saw really nice large condo (at least by Manhattan standards) in Old Town recently, but I am concerned because it is near the Marshall Fields Garden apts. I travel a lot and I don't want to worry about my wife's safety.

Is this a good area?

[ChicagoMeO]

You all dissing Old Town, might not have been a young person back when it was a Bohemian part of town, kind of like Chicago's Haight Ashbury, you'd have to have been there to appreciate it. I hate when a precious part of town has a unique feel and then it is torn down and gets these suburban sanitized plain Jane buildings in place.. it lost its flavor. I am sad for it. Many good memories there walking around people watching and visiting the cool hippie shops with the black light posters, and unique things that are not here anymore. You all would have to have been there to appreciate it.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO

You all dissing Old Town, might not have been a young person back when it was a Bohemian part of town, kind of like Chicago's Haight Ashbury....

I was, but it's not there any more, and I can't bring it back.

[chet everett]

Nostalgia of the above posters aside, the OP should rest assured that the few remaining "below market rate" aparments in the area actually have a long history -- Subsidized Housing

Crime in Old Town is actually less of an issue that in other parts of the north side and the general level of new construction is probably a better indication of how in-demand the area is...

It is probably second only to the Gold Coast in terms of convenience / desirability.

[eddhead]

Thanks, I am not really the OP but perhaps the person you are directing the message to as I brought up the point of subsidized housing. I actually did a great deal of research on the Marshall Fields Garden Apartments before posting here and came away with a mixed feelings about it. I am familiar with the fact that it has a rich and admirable history both from an architectural and sociological perspective. Still, on another blog, it was suggested to me that Sedgwick below Blackhawk is a bit sketchy, this place is .5 blocks north. The blogger went on to suggest that he was not comfortable with having his girlfriend walk the area alone after dark

Good intentions aside, I do want to look out for the safety of my wife, and frankly protect my investment. I love the area, but this does concern me.

Thanks again.

[chet everett]

Too many of the people with blog sites use terms like "sketchy" or "got a bad vibe" and are frankly clueless.

Use the CPD crime mapping tool to determine what sorts of crimes have actually occurred: Chicago Police Department CLEARMAP - Crime Incidents

I would certainly research any area and if you don't feel comfortable then find someplace that does suit your needs. That said from a personal level Old Town is one of the last places I would worry about...