45th and Vincennes

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

The area seems to be slowly improving, from a very low base, but I don't feel safe there - even though one of the best looking blocks on the south side (the 4500 block of Forrestville) is a block away. Just being within the borders of Hyde Park-Kenwood, that is, from Cottage Grove to the lake and south of 47th, will put you in contact with a diverse (= not all African American) population and within the U of C patrol umbrella.

Parts of Kenwood north of 47th have become nicely gentrified, but I'm not sure of the specifics. At any rate, Kenwood stops (rather abruptly) at Cottage Grove.

From the perspective of the OP, who inquired about renting, I agree that the area is still lacking in the kinds of the things that would make it feel safer.

I suppose if you were a burly cop and interested in being an "urban pioneer" it might make sense to buy a single family home if you got it cheap enough and do what you could to keep the improvement moving toward a safer community but for a renter someplace that is already much safer and probably not all that more costly is bet move...

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by chet everett

...you obviously lived to tell about it BUT would really recommend living there? Not just the issue of immeadiate safety but also day-to-day livability?

The question was if one was familiar with the area or had ever frequented the locales. I have friends I visit who live in Washington Park and I have a friend at 48th and Vincennes. So, obviously people live in the areas.

Livability is in the eye of the beholder. Residing in such urban areas is not for everyone; particularly those who have not lived in the inner city previously.