Ashland & Grand - is it safe to live there? (Chicago: apartment, crimes)

[slk3714]

My roommate and I are both 22 year old females moving to Chicago for the first time. We found an apartment we love near Ashland & Grand. Is this a safe area for us to live? We will be commuting to the loop and west loop for work so riding public transportation.

We aren’t familiar with the area so any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[Hiruko]

It's a perfectly safe area and well-gentrified.

I'm not very familiar with public transit, however.

[fusillirob1983]

Most of the area is generally pretty gentrified and pretty safe around there, mainly if you go a few blocks to the east along Grand. I wouldn't say that intersection is necessarily gentrified or as safe as Lakeview, Lincoln Park or Wicker Park. If you head immediately west on Grand, you'd probably think so. It's still a bit industrial depending on the block.

That said, with Fulton Market being built up and heading directly west, within the next couple years there area will look quite different.

Transit: There's a CTA station at Lake and Ashland, which should get you to the Loop in under 10 minutes, but it's a few blocks south of the intersection you're describing. I believe there's also a bus that goes down Grand. It'll get you to River North probably, but then you would probably need to walk from there or hop on the Brown/Red/Purple line.

[KoNgFooCj]

It's fairly safe to live there. The neighborhood doesn't have any homicides but beyond that I don't know what the crimes like. Just like in almost any place, watch your own back and you'll be fine.

[smegmatite]

I wouldn't want to live on a major arterial street like Ashland, and the intersection itself is kind of sketchy with the two gas stations and currency exchanges around there... I had a friend who lived north of there a bit and it was an interesting place, but I wouldn't want to live there. Its kind of an industrial no mans land to the immediate west (although lots of cool furniture stores and antique shops if you're into that!) If you go past the gas stations to the east though its super nice

[Master Jay]

slk3714, writing as an outsider, but I've heard nothing but positive things about the area. Also, if you are a fan of Italian flair, there are excellent restaurants and delis that run on Grand Avenue, going east from Ashland. Wishing you and room mate the best in your search! Sincerely, Master Jay in Milwaukee

[Nearwest]

I live not far from that intersection. The area is basically safe, especially north of Grand Ave. South of Grand, it becomes commercial (light manufacturing, warehouses, etc.), and somewhat sketchy. While not necessarily unsafe, that area can be deserted at night and on weekends.


You will have shopping and dining options on all the main thoroughfares in the West Town neighborhood. Division St. is known for becoming a 'restaurant row' and now has an urban format Target store. There is West Town Plaza at Ashland, Milwaukee, and Division, which houses a Jewel-Osco and a Lowe's, among other retailers.


There are still some long-term ethnic families residing in West Town (Italians along Grand Ave., Ukrainians on Chicago Ave., and Polish on Division St.) Hispanics live throughout the area. They can be either Mexican or Puerto Rican.


There are Blue Line stations at Grand, Halsted, and Milwaukee, as well as Division, Ashland, and Milwaukee. The major roads all have bus routes.


This neighborhood is a good choice for location, transportation, dining, shopping, and diversity.


Welcome to Chicago.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by smegmatite

...the intersection itself is kind of sketchy with the two gas stations and currency exchanges around there...

I'm not sure what is "sketchy" about gas stations and currency exchanges...

[beaniemac]

my sister lives a few blocks west of there. it's totally safe.

[smegmatite]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

I'm not sure what is "sketchy" about gas stations and currency exchanges...

have you ever been to that shell station? If not don't talk