Moving To Chicago In July From Jersey/nyc. Need Help With Neighborhood! (Pontiac: apartments, crime)

[maxwellimus]

well, first, i dont really consider myself an urban pioneer, i'm not looking to get shot by a drove by like that 15 yo in logan square during my first week in chicago.

And as of being bored, I don't think I will be, atleast I hope not. But perhaps I will miss road rage.

How is the crime level in wicker park?

[Chicago60614]

It's fine, just don't go west of Western. I'd stay around North/Damon if you're going to do Wicker Park - at least until you get yourself situated.

Otherwise you should be fine anywhere between North Ave, Iriving Park, the lake and Ashland. That area has pretty good public transit and is relatively crime free.

I have a lot of friends from NYC that moved here, and some of them miss the hussle and bussle of NYC, but they all know that it isn't Chicago's fault. Nothing can really compare to NYC, so there's no use looking for a replacement. I do think Chicago can at least compete on many levels, much more than most other cities in the country. Chicago, Boston, San Fran....there's only so many places that can even try and hold a candle to NYC.

I would look somewhere around Broadway (street) on the north side if you really wanna throw yourself into the city. It's a very busy pedestrian zone, with lots of stores, restaurants, etc. Always busy, and good transit. Don't move there with a car though, that would be a huge pain in the ass.

Lakeview, Chicago - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lincoln Park, Chicago - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[maxwellimus]

yeah, the car is still up for debate right now. I mean can i get groceries by walking if I live in wicker park? or does chicago have a similar service like fresh direct that you order food online and they deliver to your door?

And also, I'm new to the whole renting thing, what does it take to get a morage for a condo? how much do you pay during downpayment? 10%? and right now in chicago, is it better to rent or buy?

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by maxwellimus

yeah, the car is still up for debate right now. I mean can i get groceries by walking if I live in wicker park? or does chicago have a similar service like fresh direct that you order food online and they deliver to your door?

And also, I'm new to the whole renting thing, what does it take to get a morage for a condo? how much do you pay during downpayment? 10%? and right now in chicago, is it better to rent or buy?

For grocery deliveries, there's peapod. I don't use it, but it's supposed to be pretty good. Some Jewel-Osco's (local grocery chain) deliver too, I think.

[aragx6]

You can pay 10% down but you'll have t pay mortgage insurance unless you put down the full 20%. Expect to spend between 250 and 300k for a one bedroom in Wicker Park. If you can afford it and you find a place you love I might buy now as prices probably won't drop too much more. But otherwise I'd just rent for a while and get to knwo the area. You can always buy in 2009.

[TecWmn]

Originally Posted by maxwellimus

well, first, i dont really consider myself an urban pioneer, i'm not looking to get shot by a drove by like that 15 yo in logan square during my first week in chicago.

And as of being bored, I don't think I will be, atleast I hope not. But perhaps I will miss road rage.

How is the crime level in wicker park?

Oh, you won't miss road rage because there is plenty in Chicago (I lived in North Plainfield, NJ for a while so I am versed in the extreme road rage in that area). You won't get bored in Chicago - take a look at the communities from the Loop north along the lake front.

As far as crime goes, this website has been invaluable to me in choosing a place to rent:

chicagocrime.org

Most relators are not honest and I want to stay away from murder and rape areas.

Good luck!!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Drover

I ride the Blue Line 4 days a week both in peak and non-peak hours. And to be honest, I've found it's actually faster during peak hours. Here's why: they're still doing a lot of work on the tracks to really shore up the slow zones, even in the areas where they claim to have eliminated them. During peak hours, they pull the crews off the tracks and let the trains run at full speed, at least up to the Irving Park stop. During off-peak hours, crews are still crawling all over the tracks and trains often have to slow way down to sneak through the work zones. I don't know if the same thing happens on the Red Line.

The Blue Line is much worse than the Red Line at this time with track repairs. During in non-peak times the Red is not performing up to totally snuff as well, but overall the Red Line, Purple Line, and Brown Line are all running pretty swiftly considering all the construction and repairs going on.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by maxwellimus

yeah, the car is still up for debate right now. I mean can i get groceries by walking if I live in wicker park? or does chicago have a similar service like fresh direct that you order food online and they deliver to your door?

The closest Jewel is near Ashland/Division/Milwaukee. The closest Dominicks is near Damen and Chicago.

Yes, Peapod is a good option, but a bit pricey.

[urbansagacity]

i'd go with wicker park .. i live at west of western off north and it's fine (humboldt park). please do not listen to some of the people here; half of them are from ohio and half no clue about the city or how to dress. i have grown up in chicago and just moved back from nyc (lived there for like 5 years) and west of western is not soo bad. wicker park is the most east village feel; is gay friendly and is very walkable.

another option is broadway bet. diversey and belmont; that area has a very village feel

[Avengerfire]

Why bring up this old thread again?